Holding Tank Replacement Message Compilation

Summary:  The holding tanks on Whitby 42s are removable through the hatch just in front of the main saloon companionway.  Replacements are available from several sources.  Sizes varied among respondents.  It appears to be a tight fit, but possible.  A couple of messages imply and or indicate that Brewer 12.8, 44 and maybe 42s are different.  There is a note about multiple tank locations on an '87 Brewer 12.8 as well mention of a tank located under aft berth on a 44.

Be sure to look at Scott's photos located on this site.

As always, take ALL sizes and LOCATIONS as approximate. In addition, folks often fail to identify their boat model. Your boat may differ markedly!

URLS and contact info mentioned.

1. Dynamic Plastic Solutions,  905 335 5555 or 866 559 2357 http://www.dinamicplasticsolution.com, Steve Shillingford
2. Dura-weld, Lake Worth, FL.,  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 1-877-387-9353
3. Triple M Plastics, P.O. Box 319-3 Warren Way, West Kennebuk, ME 04094, (207) 985-4705
4. Ronco Plastics, http://www.ronco-plastics.net/marinetanks.html

Summary compiled by Greg Temple, 12/2008

 Selected individual messages follow:

Interested if others have replaced the holding tank on the Whitby 42. 

Mine was shot - the lid was completely loose and spilling you-know-what into the bilge. And the pick-up tube was rotted away to less than half it's original length

I have the old one out and measured - 35.5 x 25.75 x 10.5.  I talked to Kracor and they will not do a one-off custom tank.  Closest I can get with a stock tank from them is only about 30 gallons. 

There was tons of room around the original tank so it would be nice to go larger.  But the limiting size is the hole in the floor it has to fit through to get it in place.  I can go little longer or a little taller but not by much.

Curious what others have done and where you purchased your tank?

.......................Frank,
Thanks for the contact - I emailed Dura-Weld with the specs and they
emailed back the estimate in 10 minutes! That's fast service!

I think I need to get back to the boat and make a template so I know
exactly what I can fit in that space.

............Interesting the different sizes they used in these boats.

Is there anything under the platform besides air? Mine has sagged a bit
on the aft side but the wood still seems solid. I am debating the
pros/cons of replacing the platform with the same or possibly
redesigning it to be lower and more 'hull shaped'. A custom tank made
to match the shape of the hull would add volume as well as allow better
cleanout.

Thanks!

Scott

Joie de Vivre #88

 I was thinking of hugging the hull down to an inch or two above the keel and
fuel tank. Leaving a little space under the tank for bilge water to pass
through. I need to get back to the boat to evaluate how much I might gain by
that. My goal is a 55 gallon tank in that location.

The tank lid was split most of the way around the tank. We just bought the boat
and the PO was not using the holding tank. It had probably been that way a while
so I can't say where it started. The side of the tank itself was not split but
without the lid attached it probably would have just bowed out to accommodate
the sagging bottom without cracking the side.

If I decide to keep the current platform I may just pour epoxy on it with a dam
across the aft edge to build it back up and stiffen it.

You were able to turn the tank to pull it out? I started that way but was not
able to turn it far enough. I tried the other direction (long axis lying
perpendicular to the boat) and it came out easy. I found it just fit the hole if
the forward lip of the holding tank sat on top of the aft lip of the water tanks

I have an email out to triple M for more information. Thanks, Scott

Steve and I had quite the job removing our tank. We don't have
pictures but managed to fill and pump out our tank thoroughly (several
times) before removal. Our measurements are (30-1/4inch x 21-3/4 inch
x 13-3/4 inch-H)
As for removing the tank, we removed everything that lay in its way.
Our tank is underneath the wet locker and the fridge, more or less. We
removed the hot water tank and the water filters, the water manifold
etc. This cleared the space, however with our tank height, we needed
to also cut off the air vent spout (top of tank) in order to allow it
to pass under the beam that supports the flooring between the galley
and the stairs. We also cut a notch in the depth sending unit in order
to lay and protect the electrical cords through the notch. Our depth
sounding unit, which is towards the nav. table area prevented us from
easily turning, then sliding and lifting the tank free Note: if not
there we would have been able to pop the tank out easily. A bit of
twist and shout!
BTW We heard from Steve Shillingford today @ Dynamic Plastics and our
tank has been ready for a while. We don't want to pick it up 'cause we
are selling our home (now) to move on to the boat(June).
Marg
Lion' Paw #315

Separate tanks MAY be a Brewer wrinkle.........

I'm in the process of replacing also. I'm using Ronco Plastics here
in California.
They will build a seemless tank to any
specifications. http://www.ronco-plastics.net/marinetanks.html
Site includes their catalog of hundreds of tanks.

I'm installing two separate tanks to minimize the plumbing runs;
always the source of past problems.

Steve
Gypsy, Hull #9

 I put in a flexible tank which I am very happy with. It is odourless but I have to directly inspect it to see how full it is.

I also have gone with a manual through hull holding tank pump out which in Canada we can use when two miles off the coast.  I previously had a macerator pump but it kept malfunctioning even after I had rebuilt it.

Regret I do not have a record of the name of the flexible tank.  Shaun Peck, POLYANDRA, Whitby 42' Hull #163 Victoria, BC. CANADA.Phone: 250 418 5160

Scott , Steve & Marg on Lion’s Paw #315 are in the process of acquiring a new tank.  They may see this note but they did not use Kracor either, but a local (Canadian) supplier for a good price! I am on the road Tuesday but Wednesday I will contact them if they don’t show here!  Also, as we discussed, I have a number of factory codes and when I called in August for Steve, they identified Whitby Boat Works Ltd.  mould # and said the cost would be about 400 US net after a weird calculation.

Nothing was said about a “one off” but then I was talking to a someone in the office! Lets revisit this Wed.  by phone or through this medium so all can share. Hope winterizing went well! Any questions or doubts, please be in touch!!  Best regards, Douglas…..PS, where did you end up for the winter months?  

Douglas Stephenson

As Doug has mentioned Marg and I are having our holding tank built by a plastic manufacturer in Burlington Ontario. We have not picked up the tank yet, we told them there was no rush and to use it as a filler job. They have our original tank to use as a template so if the tank in hull #315 is the same as yours I'm sure they could build you one. Our tank was very tight getting out so we had them make it one inch shorter (height). If you want to make modifications, I can make sure they know which end of the tank is starboard and port. They are Dynamic Plastic Solutions - Steve Shillingford at 905 335 5555 or 866 559 2357 www.dinamicplasticsolution.com . Hopefully you can use them they seemed like good people.

Marg & Steve

 Replaced our tank in Oct. 2006.

New tank was purchased to same dimensions as old one; had lots of trouble getting old one out so figured could not (did not want to) figure how much bigger it could be.

Dimensions: 30'' X 22.25'' X 14'' (L, W, H)

Material: Polypropelyne; welded joints. Sides and top are 3/8'' thick, bottom is 1/2'' thick.

Ordered from:

        Triple M Plastics

        P.O. Box 319-3 Warren Way

        West Kennebuk, ME 04094

        (207) 985-4705

The top of the tank was pre-drilled and tapped for the plumbing adapters; also equipped with a cleanout port.

The old support base also had to be replaced, having absorbed a considerable amount of moisture which had warped it and made it no longer adequately capable of holding the tank.  Replaced it with another base made of marine plywood which I encapsulated in resin and re-inforced with doubled L shaped aluminium channels on the fore and aft edges.

Paul

S/V Fleur de Lys

Whitby #302

.................I had a custom 3/8" polyethylene tank made by Dura-weld in Lake Worth, FL.    I gave them a cardboard template ( mock-up) to work from.   They did an excellent job at a reasonable price. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-877-387-9353.   Good luck.

As Doug has mentioned Marg and I are having Lion's Paw's holding tank built by a plastic manufacturer in Burlington Ontario. We have not

picked up the tank yet, we told them there was no rush and to use it as a filler job. They have our original tank to use as a template so

if the tank in hull #315 is the same as yours I'm sure they could build you one. Our tank was very tight getting out so we had them make

it one inch shorter. If you want to make modifications I can make sure they know which end of the tank is starboard and port. Call Steve

Shillingford at Dynamic Plastic Solutions at 905 335 5555 or 866 559 2357 www.dinamicplasticsolution.com . Hopefully you can use them they

seemed like good people.

Steve

A Brewer only message:

Hello, we now have a 12.8 Brewer 1987, # 271 we are performing some
updates. We have a very small ( 3 gal) forward tank, under the sole
just aft of the V Berth. And a small 9 gal (17L x 14w x 10H) aft tank
under the mattress. We need to install larger tanks. Has anyone
replaced these tanks with larger ones ? We are contemplating a bladder
for the forward tank to form in the V of the bow. Under Our V berth is
chain for anchor one and nylon rode for anchor 2, so there isn't room
to relocate the tank.

PS, We found a significant build-up of salt in the Hoses, Y valves and
Heads. Is there a treatment we can use to reduce or eliminate this from
occurring in the future?