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Post by zigspider on Jun 4, 2019 16:43:06 GMT
Hi guys and gals,
looks like we may have a leak in our steel bow fresh water tank. Once the tank is emptied ( mostly, it would appear, into the cabin bilge ) what is the best way of sealing the tank to prevent this re-occuring. Boat is currently out being blacked.
Cheers,
Jerry
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Post by bodger on Jun 4, 2019 16:48:38 GMT
more details please.
how do you know the tank is leaking ? what evidence have you found apart from water in the cabin bilge ? is the tank integral (i.e part of the boat structure) ? is the tank a separate stainless steel tank ? have you checked the outlet pipe from the bottom of the tank, and any valve on this line ? how old is the boat ? (if it is recent and the tank is integral then it is highly unlikely that the steelwork is leaking unless there is a bad bit of welding).
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Post by naughtyfox on Jun 4, 2019 17:16:16 GMT
Welding. Or Miliputt and Sikaflex slammed on top of that.
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Post by zigspider on Jun 4, 2019 17:18:41 GMT
Hi,
I'm trying to rule out options for water in the cabin bilge. We had a fair bit that we pumped out 2 weeks ago whilst still afloat. While out being blacked, water is still building up in the cabin bilge. We are away at the moment, but one of our friends will be checking the water tank level for us tomorrow. Tank was filled to the brim last Thursday before we were tracktored out for blacking. I am waiting to hear back, with the assumption that if the water tank is no longer full, and there is still water in the cabin bilge, that is likely to be the issue. Tank is integral. No water at the outlet pipe leading to the fresh water pump. Boat is 15 years old. I hope the tank isn't at fault, but need to at least rule it out.
Thanks for the reply. Jerry
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jun 4, 2019 18:36:19 GMT
If the tank was leaking, I'd think you'd be able to see evidence of this. I'm assuming that the tank is at the bow, and accumulated water in the bilge is towards the stern. If this is the case I'd expect the area around the tank to be dry, mostly, with a small damp area where the tank is leaking, if it is indeed leaking. Do you have visual access to where the water tank meets the bilge?
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Post by phil70 on Jun 4, 2019 18:55:12 GMT
Food dye in the tank, if it is leaking the colour will transfer to the bilge. Phil
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Post by bodger on Jun 4, 2019 20:16:48 GMT
Welding. Or Miliputt and Sikaflex slammed on top of that. where? all over the tank? inside? outside? ................. perhaps you need to find an appropriate solution from the Daily Fail.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jun 4, 2019 20:21:08 GMT
Food dye in the tank, if it is leaking the colour will transfer to the bilge. Phil Just what I was going to say. Tip a bottle of cochineal into the water tank (completely harmless to drink) and see if the subsequent bilge water is red. If it isn't, your boat is sinking.
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Post by zigspider on Jun 4, 2019 22:45:37 GMT
Food dye in the tank, if it is leaking the colour will transfer to the bilge. Phil Just what I was going to say. Tip a bottle of cochineal into the water tank (completely harmless to drink) and see if the subsequent bilge water is red. If it isn't, your boat is sinking. Will give that a try once we're back on Friday and the boat is back afloat.
Cheers, Jerry
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Post by thebfg on Jun 5, 2019 2:13:55 GMT
Food dye in the tank, if it is leaking the colour will transfer to the bilge. Phil Just what I was going to say. Tip a bottle of cochineal into the water tank (completely harmless to drink) and see if the subsequent bilge water is red. If it isn't, your boat is sinking. That will be impressive if it's still on a hard standing
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Post by naughtyfox on Jun 5, 2019 4:54:49 GMT
If the water tank is leaking, then perhaps the simple answer is one of those plastic tanks to go inside the old steel cavern?
Inside, Badger, as the pressure is in to out (water level higher than canal surface), so will keep the Milliput held against the wall. Gawd, you are so stupid at times.
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Post by Clinton Cool on Jun 5, 2019 6:07:42 GMT
Bit of a random idea, given that the boat is currently on hard standing, why not fill the bilge with water? If no damp spots appear underneath, you can rule out the base plate being worn out.
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Post by bodger on Jun 5, 2019 7:18:21 GMT
If the water tank is leaking, then perhaps the simple answer is one of those plastic tanks to go inside the old steel cavern? Inside, Badger, as the pressure is in to out (water level higher than canal surface), so will keep the Milliput held against the wall. Gawd, you are so stupid at times. dear fuxxywuxxy - keep up at the back there you slow old thing - we have not yet established that the tank is leaking. ............. so you recommend Milliput to be applied inside the tank - OK, please submit a procedure to indicate how this will be achieved, to include: - means of access - identification of the area/s to be treated (currently this may be the whole tank according to your suggestion) - surface preparation - purchase of the appropriate material (if it is for the whole tank then it may be cheaper to scrap the boat and start again). - tests to ensure the 'repair' is complete and effective. please bear in mind that applying epoxy putty to a steel surface may not be a permanent solution, especially if the boat is involved in minor collisions in the area of the water tank in the bow (it may just fall off).
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Post by Jim on Jun 5, 2019 10:22:18 GMT
Step one, drop a person of restricted stature in the tank to inspect it. Step two, Pass them some milliput (made in lilliput?) * @gazza has one you may borrow.
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Post by bodger on Jun 5, 2019 12:28:01 GMT
Step one, drop a person of restricted stature in the tank to inspect it. Step two, Pass them some milliput (made in lilliput?) * @gazza has one you may borrow.has what? a short arsed person or a bag of lilliput's putty?
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