Leaking Water Tank

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:14 am

When it rains, it pours. Now have a leaking water tank....and it's on the bottom of the tank. Has anyone tried one of these Aluminum repair kits ? I'm looking to patch it up until winter. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:35 am

Oh man. That sucks. Never tried one. How did you discover the leak? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:04 pm

Filled the tank one night, was down to 1/4 in the morning. Looked down there and saw the stream from underneath. No way that thing is coming out of there this Summer. It's definitely a winter project. West has like 30-40 gallon pouches you can buy for about a $100.....you can store them just about anywhere. So I guess that's a workable solution.....just cut a hole in the top of the old one and drop one of those in there until I can install a new one. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:20 pm

Why? How hard would it be to get it out? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:00 pm

I would think that if you undo the bolts, flip it over put some jb weld on it . It should hold till winter. I would think that would be easier to do than to cut a hole in the top to put a $100 bladder in.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 3:57 pm

Haven't tried JB Weld before Tim, pick up at plumbing supplies/ Home Depot ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:26 pm

it is kind of the duct tape of the plumbing world.Get it at home depot for about $5 it is a tube of a 2 part clay material that you mush together and it dries very quick . I have used it for minor repairs and keep a tube on my boat for emergencies.When it dries, it is hard as metal.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:30 pm

http://jbweld.net/index.php Try this link http://jbweld.net/products/water.php

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 5:20 am

Gee... after reading the info in the link above.. I wonder if you could build a complete boat with it? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 6:04 am

Thanks a lot Frank & Tim.....on my way to Home Depot ! The only variable here is whether or not I can actually tip that tank on it's side. It's tight as a drum in there but I'm going to find out and will let you know. Thanks again, Rick Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:08 am

I had found a pin hole leak in mine 1 1/2 years ago when I was repowering. JBW was going to have an aluminum patch welded on bottom, but I decided to replace the whole thing and had a new one made in Florida and shipped up. I expanded from 70 to 90 gallons, but that's in the FBC and I switched to a new battery charger which I moved to the engine room. Next winter you might also want to check the floor that the tank sits on. Mine was 3/4 inch plywood, wasn't to bad, but I replaced with fiberboard glassed in. No smell, no rot problems since it's down in the bilge. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 7:34 am

Maybe its even ethanol safe!

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:40 am

Removed duplicate message, sorry.

Mike_Lenz · Post by **Mike_Lenz** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:28 am

Rick, I represent Loctite and we have a great product that should fix your problem. Give me a call and I'll meet up with you on the Cape and give you some. Mike Bertram 35 508-397-6655

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:45 am

Mike, I saw that product right next to jb weld ! Unfortunately, the tank is way too tight to tip on it's side. I need to remove: the dinette, the A/C and floor boards in the bilge to get it out of there. So I've got my 1st winter project. In the meantime, I'll use one of those badder tanks to get me through the rest of the season. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA