Victoria Shadow Association Members' Forum

Andrew_Cooper

Member

Registered: 2022-12-03

Posts: 11

V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Spring greetings to all - might any member have recent experience of replacing their fresh water tank/bladder for a new one?

This is for V30 with single bag under s/b saloon settee. I believe the bag holds approx 120 litres of freshwater. The existing bag is very old and needs to be replaced. It is two part system with inner plastic bag/tank and with nylon outer sheath. Am not sure of age but definitely 15 yrs plus - maybe even original to the boat. I cannot find an exact replacement. The offerings online and with chandlers are mainly the Plastimo brand or similar which comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes - but none to match exactly the existing bag. They are mainly shorter and wider. i.e. all with a width greater than the space under the saloon berth.

So my questions are:

- has any member changed their freshwater bag recently and if so for which brand, type, size.

- has anyone installed a Plastimo brand bag (i.e. with a width greater than under settee width) and if so has it worked without any problems. i.e. no chafe or wear at the crease etc.

- out of interest, would be very interested to know how much freshwater other members manage to squeeze into the available space. (I am planning long distance cruise and need to carry quite a bit of water for some sections of the trip)

Appreciate any advice or experiences of other members. Thanks in advance for taking the time to respond.

Andrew Cooper
V30 - Quixote

Alastair_Fleming

Member

Registered: 2007-06-12

Posts: 31

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Hi Andrew,

I have a V34 which has two separate fresh water bladders - one under each of the main cabin bunks. I replaced these in 2018 - the previous owner had replaced them before in 2004 so your one is probably at the end of its days.

Like the previous owner of my boat I had these custom made by a company in Southampton - Griffon Hoverwork Ltd. I live in Scotland and so simply took the bladders out and posted them off to Griffon and asked for like for like replacements. Took about 4 week all told and when the new ones came they fitted like a glove, just a case of reconnecting the pipework - I'd asked for the same fittings so it was really easy. They are very high quality and obviously because they are custom made they come at a premium. I had looked at Plastimo but they weren't at the standard of my old Griffon ones.

The downside is this wasn't cheap - I think I paid about £400 & VAT for each of my two 140l tanks. I'm sure that Griffon will happily give you a quote if you get in touch with them. Quick google search will bring them up.

Good luck.

Alastair

Simon_Dewing

Member

From: Torquay / Texas

Registered: 2022-08-04

Posts: 62

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Andrew,

Sabbatical came with 2 of the mid sized plastimo tanks under port and starboard bunks.
These are shorter than the berths and sort of fit width ways but expand/fold to fit the available space.
I replaced the inner liner on the starboard one (150 l) and replaced the port one with the larger size (200 l) and added an extra bulkhead under the starboard berth then moved the vetus flexible holding tank from the fore-cabin to the forward end of the starboard berth.
Flex tanks quite happily fold and distort over things like the log sensor
I believe the water tank was originally under the aft end of the quarter berth with a filler in the cockpit at aft end of the starboard bench.

Last edited by Simon_Dewing (2024-04-24 14:54:48)

Leon_Ferguson

Member

Registered: 2004-03-18

Posts: 56

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Like Alastair I had a Plastimo triangular tank, but was having to replace it every season as it developed leaks.  I  sent it to Hovercraft Consultants in Southampton who made me an identical tank in hovercraft skirting material, and it's been in use for 13 years.  They don't seem to exist  anymore but may have changed their name to the company Alastair mentions,   I paid £162 for mine in 2011.

Jerry_Bottrill

Member

Registered: 2002-02-23

Posts: 6

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Hi Andrew

V30 "Tracker" the water tank is located under the main starboard side berth which sounds similar to your installation.
I have a Plastimo flexible tank (as original build) current size 150 L but have previously also used 100 L which is equally suitable these are good as they will take the best shape available in the restricted space obviously you will not get the maximum capacity from the bag as the space is restricted. I replace the bag generally every 3 years or so as they are difficult to clean and the material does get tired over time and will eventually leak. Replacement is very straightforward and currently available at Marine superstore Portsmouth.

Kind regards
Jerry

Andrew_Cooper

Member

Registered: 2022-12-03

Posts: 11

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Good Morning Gents - thanks to all for taking the time to respond. Plenty of useful info in the replies and I have all i need to move forward now. Looks like Plastimo off the shelf bag will work okay but with certain drawbacks (capacity loss, cleaning difficulty, longevity) - or go with bespoke moulding from the Hovercraft guys in Soton (and try not to choke at the cost!)

I will contact Griffon next week for estimate - and measure up for Plastimo as a fall back. Will update the chat if i get any useful info from next weeks enquiries. Thanks again to all for taking the time to respond - best wishes

Andrew

Andrew_Cooper

Member

Registered: 2022-12-03

Posts: 11

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

Just to close out on this thread  - i did contact Griffon Hoverwork who do not welcome direct calls but did respond by email enquiry to advise they are no longer in the bespoke water tank business. Apparently they performed through their subsidiary, Duratek, who are no longer trading. (Source: Selena at Griffon Hoverwork customer service.) Shame

Thus went with the Plastimo tank. Chose the 150 litre and the fit is okay. Doesn't look as wide as i imagined. Also can see that a 200 litre can be made to fit if preferred (As per Simon Dewings advice). All went well with the project except threading the large diameter supply hose through the close proximity bulk heads. Also pretty shocked at the condition of all that i removed - black and slimy hoses etc - so pleased to have made the change.

Thanks to all responders for some very useful input - best wishes

Andrew

Duncan_Hill

Committee Member

From: Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Registered: 2017-03-14

Posts: 153

Website

Re: V30 - replacement fresh water bladder tank

The condition of the insides of hoses and tanks is why I installed an Atlas water filter on my galley sink. Pressure loss is minimal, and the colour the filter goes is a very good clue of "potable if boiled.."

I ripped out the flexible tank that Blue Opal had as an extension to the steel tank; it was filthy inside. Have to put an inspection hatch on the steel tank this winter I think, so I can get a pressure washer inside - I know it isn't clean.

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Victoria 34 Cutter - 'Blue Opal' (the non-bowsprit edition)