[C320-list] Water tank leak

[mcdonough5 at verizon.net]

Thanks, Chris.

-----Original Message----- 
From: clburti at gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2014 8:19 AM
To: 320
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water tank leak

Jack,

The tank is polyethylene, not fiberglass reinforced polyester. It is a tough 
and flexible material, so leaks are rare.


Removal is and replacement is simple. Empty. Disconnect the hoses, unscrew 
the boards across the top that hold it in place and lift it out. Catalina 
designs everything to come in and go back out the companionway.


Once you have it out, you can check it for leaks properly.


If it is leaking, replace it. It is virtually impossible to get an adhesive 
to bond permanently to PE under the conditions our tanks are subjected.


Expensive is relative…and subjective…you can one from Catalina or measure 
and get one from Ronco plastics…they enjoy a great reputation and have an 
incredible selection.


http://ronco-plastics.com/




Fair Winds
Chris Burti
Commitment
Catalina 320, #867





From: mcdonough5 at verizon.net
Sent: ‎Friday‎, ‎May‎ ‎30‎, ‎2014 ‎11‎:‎05‎ ‎PM
To: 320





I’d appreciate any ideas on this problem.

With our 2011 Catalina 320 on jack stands, I filled the aft (starboard) 
water tank today. As soon as I finished, the automatic bilge pump kicked on. 
It ran for 8 or 10 seconds and shut off. Then a couple of minutes later it 
cycled again. And again. Etc. I opened the cover to the bilge and the cover 
between it and the engine compartment. Water was coming into the bilge area 
from the starboard side from the direction of the head. It was obvious by 
this time that the water level in the aft dank was dropping. I checked the 
hose leading from the tank to the fresh water pump and the aft hose leading 
to the deck fill. Both were dry. (I had filled the tank with a hose directly 
into the tank and not through the deck fill.) The forward water tank had not 
been filled when this problem occurred.

Is it likely that the fiberglass tank sprang a leak? If not, what else could 
it be? And if the tank is leaking, I assume any solution is time-consuming 
and expensive.

Jack #947