Water tank....necessary or expendable?

[Chuckpacific]

I used the water tank for a few years...I had to drain it every fall so it wouldn't freeze. About three years ago I noticed the water was smelling so treated it and drained it. The only reason I fill it now is to trim the boat since the batteries are in the starboad lazerette. I rarely use the sink and when I do I fill it with water from a 3 gallon jug I keep under the dinette. I'm thinking about taking the water tank out. I could sure use the storage and I'm considering putting a 3-5 gallon tank under the sink and pumping from there. Any thoughts/experience/like minded folks out there?

[Sea Wolf]

Chuck-

It seems to me that as long as you can use the space for alternate storage, provide an alternate water supply that is not too limited, and keep the old tank in case a subsequent owner wants to re-install the full 18 gallon storage capacity, you'll be fine.

I wouldn't however, take out the water tank, not provide an alternate source, and eliminate all hope of restoration, just because of the impact on your resale value.

Where that rotozip, sawsall, 505 buzzsaw, etc,???

Joe.

[Fishhawk]

Chuck,

I to have been thinking similarly. When we bought Osprey, the original owner had put a gallon or so of some kind of RV antifreeze in the tank. It's still in there now and I don't really know how to get it all out and dispose of it.

Since so far we have only used the boat on Lake Superior and some inland fresh water, we've always had good clean fresh water to wash dishes with etc; Bottled spring water gets us through the between beer periods !

I'll be watching what happens with this thread. Hopefully some of the sages will weigh in with their usual thoughtful wisdom.

Dan

[416rigby]

I replaced our 20 gallon water tank with a 6 gallon tank. We don't need all that water, and the extra roon for storage is great. Pics in our projects album.

Rick

[breausaw]

Hi Chuck,

If you do remove the water tank consider replacing it with that 3-5 gallon water tank using a quick connect fitting. Fashion a removable shelve perhaps above or hatch cover close to the floor so you can easily remove the portable water tank for re-fill. This way you can still utilize the exiting water line and help your port ballast.

I too have my batteries in the starboard lazerette, and even with wife and 9 year old son sitting on port side with 10 to 15 gal in water tank I still have to apply starboard trim. The boat doesn’t trim up properly until I’ve run half the fuel out of the starboard tank, than I’ll top it off with my extra fuel, than its back to applying trim. Guess it’s all the cabinetry on the starboard side that adds the extra weight, if money and time were no object I would remove all the wood from the cabin and replace with lightweight composites AND THE WATER TANK WOULD BE IN THE BOW.

Good luck with your project,,,,

[starcrafttom]

If I removed the water tank my wife would kill me. I'm not allowed to leave for the weekend without a full tank. We have never ran out even on our 14 day trip but she fills it every time I get close to a dock. I don't know if she ran out of water as a kid or if its a left over fear from all the desert camping-rock hounding her father did when she was young??? I mentioned a smaller tank once and have not healed yet. You better check with your boss/wife before you do anything.

[Chuckpacific]

For years I have kept the port gas tank at 6-8 gallons more than the starboard tank, Jay. In addition I have tried to load heavy to port whenever possible. We are in fresh water 98% of the time, Dan, so usable non-potable water is an arm’s length away most of the time. Yes, Joe, I’d keep the old tank for resale. Rick, I’ll look at your pics…thanks. And Tom, removing it was my wife’s idea in the first place.