Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Lomcevak · Post by **Lomcevak** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 11:00 pm

I've got a Lalizas 24.6 gallon triangular flexible water tank on order.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lalizas-- ... P015004229

I am, of course, planning on putting it up in the V-berth. If my calculations are correct, it will be holding right around 200 pounds of water.

Should I be concerned about it shifting whilst sailing/heeling over? I can put some of the slip-grip liner stuff down; but there may still be the possibility of it toppling over on itself.

I wouldn't think that 200 pounds will be enough to significantly change the stability of the boat, do you? Your input is appreciated.

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 11:15 pm

I'm not familiar with the location where that water tank would be installed on your 26D, but in my 26X there is no possibility of the tank shifting. I made space for it by removing some blocks of floatation Styrofoam, and carved out a bed for the tank in others (under an access panel in the vee berth area). All removed foam was placed elsewhere in the boat, so as to not reduce the floatation capacity of the boat. In my case, I discovered that the space for my Plastimo bladder tank, with a rated capacity of 31 gallons, limited how much water it could actually contain. When these flexible tanks are filled, they inflate like a balloon, and to get the rated amount of water into one, you have to provide it with a surprisingly large amount of overhead space. I'm happy with 20 gallons, and so haven't tried to get it to hold more, by creating a deeper space for it. When you install your tank, it would be a good idea to actually measure how much water you can get into it. I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up holding something less than it's rated for.

mastreb · Post by **mastreb** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:16 am

200 lbs. forward should improve sailing characteristics but it may make motoring slightly worse because you'll generate a bow wave sooner. If your nose is way up when motoring it will help to level you.

The tank won't shift around, but water inside the tank will move. It won't have any more affect on stability than a person moving side-to-side in the cabin.

Lomcevak · Post by **Lomcevak** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:32 am

mastreb wrote:200 lbs. forward should improve sailing characteristics but it may make motoring slightly worse because you'll generate a bow wave sooner. If your nose is way up when motoring it will help to level you.

The tank won't shift around, but water inside the tank will move. It won't have any more affect on stability than a person moving side-to-side in the cabin.

Thanks for this reply. This is what I was thinking. Just wanted verification.

Post by **Russ** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 11:12 am

mastreb wrote:200 lbs. forward should improve sailing characteristics but it may make motoring slightly worse because you'll generate a bow wave sooner. If your nose is way up when motoring it will help to level you.

The tank won't shift around, but water inside the tank will move. It won't have any more affect on stability than a person moving side-to-side in the cabin.

My boat is aft heavy (24 gal fuel, 70hp motor, my fat arse) so bow weight makes it motor better. If I walk up and sit in the V-Bert, the boat moves faster under power. So that's where I store my water tanks. (2 5gal jugs)

I would coat the inside of the locker with rubberized paint to reduce abrasion. In fact, I'm going to do it just to soften the compartments.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Plasti-Dip-1 ... /100131010

tlgibson97 · Post by **tlgibson97** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 11:39 am

I just installed a 31 gal plastimo up there. I lined it with a rubber gym mat. I run the fill line up the bow to a port that is centered between the forestay tang and the port cleat. Next I need to install an electric pump and faucet. the flipper pump takes forever and I'd like a way to empty the tank before trailering home. Might save me some gas.

Lomcevak · Post by **Lomcevak** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:04 pm

tlgibson97 wrote:I just installed a 31 gal plastimo up there. I lined it with a rubber gym mat. I run the fill line up the bow to a port that is centered between the forestay tang and the port cleat. Next I need to install an electric pump and faucet. the flipper pump takes forever and I'd like a way to empty the tank before trailering home. Might save me some gas.

A long enough hose overboard once on the trailer ought to be fully sufficient for siphoning.

tlgibson97 · Post by **tlgibson97** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:13 pm

I thought about putting in a T that I could pump or siphon it out. The electric pump is more for the wife. Makes me feel bad seeing her pumping for 5 minutes to wash dishes. When we only had 5 gal it was fine. But now we have plenty of capacity to get us through 3-4 days even with a electric pump.

Tomfoolery · Post by **Tomfoolery** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:26 pm

I put one of these Shurflow faucets in last summer. Works fine, tilts up/down and left/right, and has an integral switch to control the pump. About $38 on Amazon, but available all over the place. Mine is all white.

I like it so much, I'm going to add another one in the head, and wire it in parallel.

Manual pumps are a pain, and since I have a 7 gallon hard tank with hull fill and vent, and since we don't live on the boat, I don't mind using water at a much faster rate than with a manual pump.

http://s456.photobucket.com/user/TKanzl ... L.jpg.html

The boat came with a pump, by the way (with some really gnarly lamp twist switch in the counter top

, but I believe you can buy the faucet and pump together as a kit of sorts.

Post by **Russ** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 3:01 pm

I could never properly wash my hands with a manual pump. Shifting to left handed pumping was too klutzy.

So I replaced it with an electric pump. Worked okay, but gave me trouble eventually.
I know pressure pumps waste water, but I finally installed one. Being able to modulate the flow, I actually save more water over the On Full/Off electric faucet. I can turn it to a small trickle for washing hands etc and full when needed. Super easy to install. Not much different from electric pump faucet.

Pumping 31 gallons will take a LONG time. When using water normally, you'll run through it fast. Try to deliberately pump it out and it will seem like forever.
I would vote for the siphon. Gotta be easier and faster.

--Russ

topcat0399 · Post by **topcat0399** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 3:52 pm

We use a whale gusher foot pump to move potable water from under
the vberth to the galley and got rid of the electric pump.

It's perfect and hands free - will never go back.
Saves water and electricity.

We also have a "rattle shake" siphon hose when moving a lot of water.
It also rocks.

Tomfoolery · Post by **Tomfoolery** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 4:15 pm

RussMT wrote:Being able to modulate the flow, I actually save more water over the On Full/Off electric faucet. I can turn it to a small trickle for washing hands etc and full when needed. Super easy to install. Not much different from electric pump faucet.

Yeah, I should have mentioned that the faucet I linked to above has a valve that will regulate flow all the way down to a trickle, and the switch closes when the valve is barely open. I use very little water, even with the pump, and I don't think I use even a single tank worth (7 gallons) over the course of the season, but I don't use my boat hard like many (most, even) here do.

Post by **Russ** » Fri Apr 17, 2015 5:03 pm

Tomfoolery wrote:
RussMT wrote:Being able to modulate the flow, I actually save more water over the On Full/Off electric faucet. I can turn it to a small trickle for washing hands etc and full when needed. Super easy to install. Not much different from electric pump faucet.
Yeah, I should have mentioned that the faucet I linked to above has a valve that will regulate flow all the way down to a trickle, and the switch closes when the valve is barely open. I use very little water, even with the pump, and I don't think I use even a single tank worth (7 gallons) over the course of the season, but I don't use my boat hard like many (most, even) here do.

Nice. Sounds like a great solution.

Mine was junk. Probably why it died.

Lomcevak · Post by **Lomcevak** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 6:18 pm

Ok, where now, to put the outlet fitting?

Normally one would put it in the narrowest part of a tank, and have that narrow part pointing downward. But since the narrow end will be pointing to the bow, the likeliest low point will be to the wide end. Also, the fitting is far too bulky to put on the side of the tank resting on the floor. So it seems the outlet fitting will have to be on the top side.

Anyone have any problems with this? Do you just use the stock hose filler fitting, and not bother with adding the other fittings, or ???

finding41 · Post by **finding41** » Mon May 04, 2015 1:53 pm

Just something to consider before you get the bladder installed.
Get in there with a sander and sand of any fiberglass burs. There will be some ware the hull meets the ballast. I would sand all over the area that you plan to use. I have found on all my Mac's that ware the hull meets the inner shell that attachment is really sloppy. Lots of stray sharp pieces of fiberglass sticking out.
If you can't get into the space to sand try a pole sander like for drywall sanding.
Wear a good dust mask (N95) and vacuum after you sand.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?

Re: Will a V-Berth Water Bladder Shift?