Port water tank

[felizcortez]

I have a 50 gallon water tank on the port side of my boat that is plastic and is leaking. I found a pretty significant amount of freshwater in the bilge after filling it and also some water on some of hte surrounding wood.

Upon closer investigation, I found some cracks at the output fitting that are causing the leak. It looks like the crack is in the female fitting that is a part of the tank. (see attached picture).

I was planning on replacing the male fitting as well as the hose that runs to the tank. I was considering epoxying the crack, but wanted to get some advice on how to handle this one.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, felizcortez.

[UNCIVILIZED]

Don't see any pics, but on the WEST System website there are directions on how to bond to plastics. Though there are also adhesives purpose designed for bonding, or fixing plastics. Just figure out what the tank's made of exactly, & finding the proper one shouldn't be tough.
Also, might there be an inspection port in the tank that would enable you to work on a repair from both inside, & outside of the tank simultaneously? And if not, you may be able to add one.

[felizcortez]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

Don't see any pics, but on the WEST System website there are directions on how to bond to plastics. Though there are also adhesives purpose designed for bonding, or fixing plastics. Just figure out what the tank's made of exactly, & finding the proper one shouldn't be tough.
Also, might there be an inspection port in the tank that would enable you to work on a repair from both inside, & outside of the tank simultaneously? And if not, you may be able to add one.

With attachment this time. I'm thinking of trying to do this repair while the tank is still in the boat since it will be a pain to remove.

There are a few inspection ports, but the holes are not that large, but I think I can fit my arm inside one of them. However, if you look at the crack, it runs down the female threaded outlet port so if I apply epoxy from the inside I may not be able to thread something into it after it dries. The cracks that radiate from the base of the tank could potentially get some epoxy from both sides.

[keepondancin]

Couldn’t see any detail in the pic, I am using my phone. You might want to look at plastic welding it, like they do kayak repairs. Inexpensive device. Harbor Freight sells them, I believe. If not, visit a good
Shop that sell plastic kayaks and ask

[rwidman]

I don't think you're going to have success trying to glue the tank. Welding might work if you have a pro do it.

The most reliable repair is to replace the failed tank with a new one. They are not as expensive as you might think and you can count on this to be a permanent repair.

[keepondancin]

Plastic welding isn't really technical, basically a soldering iron with a flat blade, and some sticks of a similar material. Heat up the repair to make is very soft, melt some of the stick on the repair, flow it together and you have a repair. Over simplified but basically what you do.