CD25 owner ... has empty water tank ... and full bilge.

[Keyscaptainadam]

Hello sailors.

Somewhat of a conundrum.

Just before our most recent cruise on our CD25, Velella, I journeyed to the mooring with several jerry jugs to top off the water tank.

yet, on day one we ran out of water. Subsequently, I checked the bilge to find it full with 15 or so gallons of fresh water (from the water tank).

I can find no source leak in the hose, barb connection, clamps, etc.

Is it possible the tank has failed?

Upon returning to a dock we topped off the tank and in this second attempt to hold fresh water, about 50% of the tank emptied into the bilge.

not sure to replace tank, replace hose, replace water?

Rarely to never to I find a response to a question on this board.

Everyone is always looking at post and rarely commenting on them.

HELP!

Adam
SV velella

[psjanker]

When I serviced my CD 28 water tank, I simply removed it, filled it with water and let it sit on a dry driveway for a few hours......no leak found. Subsequently I was able to find chafing point in my galley sink line.

If I had to do it again, I would empty the bilge, fill the tank and inspect bilge to determine from which direction water is draining & then follow the "tracks" ......a bit a dye helps but I would inspect by hand first.

Good luck

Peter

[psjanker]

I would think that if only a portion of the tank is draining out then you have a leak at about that fluid level in your tank.

Pete

[tjr818]

Open the inspection/clean out port on the tank, put a cork in the out flow port and fill the tank again. If it leaks then you know it is the tank (which I doubt). Good luck. At least you should have a nice clean bilge by now.

[Keyscaptainadam]

thanks to you both for the prudent advice!

will try your suggestions!

adam

[Steve Laume]

If your tanks are like mine, you can gain full access by taking off the plywood top. Once this is removed, you can see what is going on in there. The first thing I would check is the hose barbs for the supply, vent and fill lines. On Raven's tanks there are a second set on the opposite hand for left or right installation. I had an unused vent line barb break off and simply put one of those little rubber dinghy plugs in it. It solved the problem and has lasted for years. If it is one of the active barbs you may be able to swap the tanks from side to side and plug the now unused connection. This may also be one of the few uses for 5200, Steve.

[moctrams]

Gabbiano has two water tanks. One port, one stbd. I noticed the port tank water ran slower then the stbd. tank. I removed the plywood and saw the outlet was almost broken off from the tank. Some Superglue fixed the problem. I did not realize Superglue would work. Fix has been working just fine.
Here us a good video on repairing a plastic tank:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Fkhz2G9Is

[Keyscaptainadam]

more good advice.

I had imagined trying to cut out the old tank and replace with a bladdered one.

Your suggestions sound much more feasible and a likely cause of leak.

Adam

[jerryaxler]

Before cutting out the tank , I would pull the tank to find the cause of the leak. If the tank is cracked you can actually plastic weld the crack and continue to use the tank. That is what I did on my CD36 15 years ago and it is holding fine. I ordered the welding kit from a mail order supply house.