Peggie - I'll be curious to hear what you have to say about this!
If you want - skip to the end. Executive summary of the question: Can I fabricate my own holding tank from plywood covered in fiberglass and epoxy?
I posted a previous thread "Are two (marine) heads better than one?"
In the process of investigating my 1980 Chris Craft Commander 410, I discovered that my holding tank was hidden under the plywood floor of the engine room, under the main salon.
In terms of location - this is VERY good - pretty much dead center of the lowest part of the bilge.
The original tank is metal, and I have discovered has holes rusted completely through it. The boat hasn't been actively used in years - so it appears all is dry - as there is no stinky smell in the boat!!
The tank needs to be replaced. It will be a pain in the tail to get the old tank out, but can be done.
Now I need to figure out what to replace it with.
I can only see the aft end of the tank, and the fittings are in the forward end, so below are reasonable guesses:
The tank is rated to be 75 Gallons. It appears to be 50-55" long. The end of the tank looks like an "upside down house" - basically a rectangle 25" wide
and 11" tall. From the bottom edge, the tank extends down in an isosceles triangle another 4 inches. The triangle portion sits on the bottom angled surface of the bilge. The main vertical sides of the tank snuggle between two fiberglassed ribs(?) that run longitudinally down the bilge.
I looked at Ronco Plastics. The closest tank they had that would immediately fit would only fit the square area of the original tank site, and would only hold about 40 gallons.
So... two other options:
1) Can I get a custom plastic tank fabricated for a reasonable price (under $1000?)? Given the time it would take - I'd be VERY surprised - though someone like Ronco may have molds that are "adjustable" and allow custom configurations?
2) I've built small boats before. Can I make my own tank??? The geometry isn't that hard. I could assemble the shape in plywood, and then coat it in fiberglass and epoxy, and add epoxy tape no the edges for re-enforcing. The shape of the bottom of the boat, and the two bulkhead / stringers on the side should take most of the stress.
I'm assuming a good layer of fiberglass and plenty of epoxy should do the trick, right???
Will epoxy work ok for a holding tank? Am I missing anything?
Thank!
John
If you want - skip to the end. Executive summary of the question: Can I fabricate my own holding tank from plywood covered in fiberglass and epoxy?
I posted a previous thread "Are two (marine) heads better than one?"
In the process of investigating my 1980 Chris Craft Commander 410, I discovered that my holding tank was hidden under the plywood floor of the engine room, under the main salon.
In terms of location - this is VERY good - pretty much dead center of the lowest part of the bilge.
The original tank is metal, and I have discovered has holes rusted completely through it. The boat hasn't been actively used in years - so it appears all is dry - as there is no stinky smell in the boat!!
The tank needs to be replaced. It will be a pain in the tail to get the old tank out, but can be done.
Now I need to figure out what to replace it with.
I can only see the aft end of the tank, and the fittings are in the forward end, so below are reasonable guesses:
The tank is rated to be 75 Gallons. It appears to be 50-55" long. The end of the tank looks like an "upside down house" - basically a rectangle 25" wide
and 11" tall. From the bottom edge, the tank extends down in an isosceles triangle another 4 inches. The triangle portion sits on the bottom angled surface of the bilge. The main vertical sides of the tank snuggle between two fiberglassed ribs(?) that run longitudinally down the bilge.
I looked at Ronco Plastics. The closest tank they had that would immediately fit would only fit the square area of the original tank site, and would only hold about 40 gallons.
So... two other options:
1) Can I get a custom plastic tank fabricated for a reasonable price (under $1000?)? Given the time it would take - I'd be VERY surprised - though someone like Ronco may have molds that are "adjustable" and allow custom configurations?
2) I've built small boats before. Can I make my own tank??? The geometry isn't that hard. I could assemble the shape in plywood, and then coat it in fiberglass and epoxy, and add epoxy tape no the edges for re-enforcing. The shape of the bottom of the boat, and the two bulkhead / stringers on the side should take most of the stress.
I'm assuming a good layer of fiberglass and plenty of epoxy should do the trick, right???
Will epoxy work ok for a holding tank? Am I missing anything?
Thank!
John