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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Thu Dec 13 2001 - 12:57:42 EST
On Thu, 13 Dec 2001 11:16:05 -0500 "Shanica J II"
<> writes:
>My experience and the responses
> that I
> have receive to queries on this subect is that Integral fiberglass
> tanks are
> a bad idea at best and aboat ruiner at worst.
>
That is why I prefaced everything with "not necessarily". It is possible
to get a superior tank with integral construction if proper techniques
are used. That means that quality builders are able to build tanks that
will withstand the test of time. We build boats for the military using
military specifications - specifications for integral tanks (please, no
military bashing or snide remarks - this just isn't the right time).
Let me emphasize that I am only talking about integral construction for
holding tanks. We are not convinced that integral tanks are the best
solution for potable water or fuel. We think that proper grade aluminum
is best for fuel and proper grade stainless steel is best for potable
water.
> 1) They tend to suffer from less than fanatical contruction
> practises.
True for lower quality boats, the ones that I call "Taiwan Turkeys",
"Chinese Chop Suey and "U.S. McBoat".
> 2) they are intergral and therfor un servicable/unremovable.
Not necessarily true. We construct our holding tanks with clean out
ports. And if constructed properly, they will not leak unless holed.
> The
> only way
> to fix a leaking intergral tank is to line it with something,
> usually a
> bladder.
Not true.
> This is almost never a satisfactory retro.
We don't recommend bladders for any kind of use....even temporary use.
>
> 3) If used for water tanks, they will forever impart a taste to the
> water
> ( that's why POly tanks are best for potable waer, they do not
> impart any
> taste to the water)
>
We use stainless steel for water tanks, (see above).
> Beyond that the ability to remove a tank to work on/replace far
> outweighs
> the max capacity of an integral tank.
>
Not necessarily true.
> As an Aside: Notice that most Quality Yahct builders do not use
> integral
> tanks.
>they use fabricated tanks, and almost never bladders.
Not universally true - we pretty much keep on top of what everyone is
doing in the industry.....that's my job.
> INtegral Tanks
> almost always result in a lower resale value in the used market.
>
Definitely not true in our experience. The price people are getting for
previously owned Willards is outrageous in my opinion.
Patrick Gerety
Willard Marine
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