Holding tank
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 411
Forum Description: 411 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7742
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:40
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Holding tank
Posted By: Skippereen
Subject: Holding tank
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 08:12
|
Our stainless steel holding tank situated under the after heads sink has started to become porous. We need to replace it and want to get a plastic tank. We have contacted Tectanks in the UK but as our boat is based in the Ionian we would like to find a good quality replacement there and some one do fit it! has anyone had a similar problem and found a solution in Greece? The boat is coming up to 10 years old. 
|
Replies:
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 09:16
|
Hi, There are three big marinas with repair bases in the Ionian. For sure they can remove the tank and have one copied and replace it, although August is not a good month for serious maintenance work both because everybody is running like crazy to repair charter boats and because most machine shops are in vacation. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Sea-U
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 10:50
|
Question Does this mean that stainless steel holding tank will only last for about 10 years? Is a plastic tank better? -------------  Sea-U is a 370e #532 located SW Norway
|
Posted By: Fendant
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 11:12
|
I think its the contrary.
Plastic tanks will sooner or later, especially in warm climates, emit some odour. The proplem with stainless steel tanks are always the weld seams. If not properly done the will corrode and you will have leakages and emissions.
Get yourself a thick plastic tank ( > 5mm ) made from Polyethylene or find somebody who has and can demonstrate experience welding 316L stainless. Hard to find in the Ionian, but look for fabricators supplying the food and pharma industry.
|
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 11:12
|
Hi, What does "only" mean? 10 years is almost an eternity. Of course if you only use the boat 2-3 months per year and thoroughly clean it at the end of season, it will last a lot more. BTW : If the tank was welded with the wrong electrodes (304 instead of 316 for example) or the welder used higher current to increase production speed or... or... or... then the tank will not last even three years. Plastic tanks could last longer, especially GRP tanks. Rotomolded tanks out of PVC or polyethylene can have weak points at the corners and a reduced life, also they are not totally watertight and could be smelly. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 11:16
|
@fendant, It seems we wrote almost the same things at exactly the same time. Strange coincidence. ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: Sea-U
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 13:27
I have never thought of it, but just assumed it would last "forever", as a fuel tank.  ------------- Sea-U is a 370e #532 located SW Norway
|
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 19 August 2013 at 16:13
|
If i had that problem & could not weld it up ( actually i have the gear & people who know how) I would make my own The gudgeon brothers who make the west system epoxy give details of how to make fuel tanks etc out of ply sheathed internally for fuel tanks etc( so i am sure a bit of sewage would not be a problem) So it is not impossible to knock a new one up if you have the time & make it a size to suit as well Use plastic through hull fittings & plastic plumbing fittings for the dip pipe & inlets & outlets Or is it only us small boat sailors who have to make do & mend ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |