Aft water tank

[Ekutney]

Steve,

I looked close at the pic, it would seem the tank makes getting to the back of the engine difficult   I assume it ends just at the shaft log and still allows access to the stuffing box.  When I did some initial work to my engine this past Jan; heat exchanger, motor mounts, water lift muffler, I spent my share of time in that location upside down / backwards.  I was only able to do this because the water bladder I have in that location was just about empty.  I was thinking of replacing the older bladder with a newer unit but would feel more confident with a hard tank like you have.  Thanks for pics and other details, good food for thought regarding size of a tank plus potential mounting ideas.  I will try and contact the guy who built the tank and see what the cost would be to supply one.

[Ekutney]

Is the bottom of the tank tapered to fit the hull shape or flat?

[SPembleton]

There is a second water fill opening aft of the tank on the starboard side.  The opening matches the one for the midship tank.  I will go to the boat later today and check the bottom of the tank.

The tank does end behind the shaft log.  I do have to replace my shaft and coupling next week, but i have been able to access everything ok.  It is a little tight, by nothing real bad.

Btw I read you other post re the hot water heater.  If you notice in the middle pic above, there is corner of additional opening.  Behind that is my hot water heater.  It is accessible there and also accessible under the aft lazarette.  Another PO improvement. This frees up all of that space under my sink, and uses space that i would not be using otherwise.  Something to consider

[Ekutney]

Steve,

I like the idea of relocating the Water Heater, using that space under the second opening under the aft berth sounds like a good idea.  I'm going to start another post.  If you could take a pic please add it to that post as an example so I can get some others to comment.  It seems the PO made some interesting changes which make sense.  Have to reroute some water lines and wiring but easily done.  The space below the sink would be useful, just not sure of the impact.

[SPembleton]

I don't think I was clear in the post above my PO cut a new opening in the aft bulkhead, next to the hanging closet and installed the hwt there, not under the bed. But under the bed sounds interesting also.  I will post pictures as soon as I can get to the boat.

[SPembleton]

The bottom of the tank is flat. it appears to be resting on a rubber bladder. Is this the old water bladder? See pic

Here is also a pic of the spacing between the forward end of the water tank and the dripless. 

I will post my pics of the Hot Water Heater on the other thread.

[Ekutney]

I removed the water bladder from under the aft berth today.  I've attached before and after pics and a pic of the removed bladder which is 60 in X 28 in.  The stuff on the ground is what came out of the bladder, hence the reason I removed it. 

The opening measures approx 32 in X 21 in with a depth from 6 in aft & 10 in fwd.  I think the taper may be the reason a bladder in located under your hard water tank since the top appears to be level.

[SPembleton]

I just measured the heigth of the tank in the front.  Not sure if i can get to the aft end.  If i can i will measure the height there. The top of the tankmis level.

The pic you have does appear to be the bladder that is sitting under my tank.

[SPembleton]

Hard to access aft end of tank, but it appears that the tank is a little less than 6" in height at that point. There is a small space between tank and aft edge of opening. I put a tape down there and it hooked on what I think is the bottom of the tank.  Read as about 5 7/8"

[Ekutney]

Thanks for the info on your tank, it appears my measurement track with yours.  Still considering potential locations and size of the water tank.  I am going to also consider a NEW bladder. 

[anaisdog]

did you get a new bladder?  i blew mine up, yesterday and i have the exact same one as you do, in the first picture (hull 99, 1986).  was it easy to put in?

[Ekutney]

I did not get a new bladder, redid the entire fresh  water system and that is the last item on my list.   I contacted the company and they said if the bladder is not  leaking it could be reinstalled.   I'm not sure if I like the idea of water bladder but it seems to be appropriate for that space.   If I get a new bladder I'm looking at about 30 to 35 gallons versus the old bladder which was 50 gallons.    There were four blocks glued to the hull that the bladder was fastened to, two of the blocks of come loose.  I think the 200 L 50 gallon water was too big for that space that's almost 400 pounds of water.

[anaisdog]

wow, the catalina manual said that was 43 gallons but you're right, that's 55 gallons (and a LOT!).  i don't have a choice, i have to replace mine.  are there instructions somewhere?

[Ekutney]

I did not get a new bladder, redid the entire fresh  water system and that is the last item on my list.   I contacted the company and they said if the bladder is not  leaking it could be reinstalled.   I'm not sure if I like the idea of water bladder but it seems to be appropriate for that space.   If I get a new bladder I'm looking at about 30 to 35 gallons versus the old bladder which was 50 gallons.    There were four blocks glued to the hull that the bladder was fastened to, two of the blocks of come loose.  I think the 200 L 50 gallon water was too big for that space that's almost 400 pounds of water.

[Ekutney]

 I would offer you mine but is just as old as yours.   It had no leaks and appeared to be in good shape.  Replacing it seems straight foreard, mine was attached at the four corners through grommets on the bladder.  Large lag bolts were screwed into wooden blocks glued to the hull.  The bolts were not easy to get to because the bladder extends far into the corners of the space below the aft berth.  I am planning to buy a smaller bladder, 30-35 gal because the old bladder sat right on top of the shaft log.