Fresh water tank removal, 2556

[C-NUMB]

Have decided to pull all the tanks on my project 2556 and the first one to go is the FW tank. Was able to get it kind of half way but it does not look like it can be done without breaking the tank? Or has anybody done it?

[Pcpete]

What's under the deck around the hatch you have the tank sticking out of? It appears to me that if you were to widen or lengthen the hatch you could slide the tank out of there rather easily. Breaking the current tank up to get it out is one thing, but you still need to get the new one in there. To reassemble, just do a doubler like the hatch sits on.

[C-NUMB]

I guess its mainly plywood floor, maybe some polyester on top. There are some stringers and bulkheads in the tank "cave" so might be plenty of work to open up and repair. Guess will cut the tank, it's 27 years anyway, and replace with a Vetus flexible tank. I rather have a solid tank but i can always do that later if having the time energy for the fix.

[builderdude]

Seems I remember a 2556 owner that claimed the water tank could be removed through that access hatch. I do remember him stating it wasn't super easy though. No experience personally. Could you possibly cut back the access opening to port a couple 2-3" ?

[C-NUMB]

"builderdude" post=804535 wrote:
Seems I remember a 2556 owner that claimed the water tank could be removed through that access hatch. I do remember him stating it wasn't super easy though. No experience personally. Could you possibly cut back the access opening to port a couple 2-3" ?

Can be. The size of the access hole seams to be supporting removal, why they did it so big otherwise? But for sure it wont be easy, will try again using a strap to get more power handling it. Will also try turning it upside down( if space to turn it), lets see....

[C-NUMB]

Forgot to update this one. The tank can be removed without breaking it, but first You have to remove the flange made of plywood supporting the inspection hatch. Removing the flange.....is not fun at all. It is glued, nailed and fastened with machine screws. When You start to open the nylock nuts, the countersunk head starts to turn, and as its filled with rock hard polyester, not easy to get the screwdriver working. So much change of plan that will re use the old tank, it was very clean inside and now when out very easy to clean further.

[builderdude]

Pics or it didn't happen

[C-NUMB]

Pics or it didn't happen

Yes You are so right

The cave, the removed tank and part of the flange, so far so good......then what did i found.....a hole....and matching piece of something very hard(JB veld ?) in the cave, it was strongly attached to gel coat !??
The hole looked like a meltdown or drilled through. I am 99.9999 % sure this happened during assembly at the factory. Installer noted the hole, "repaired" by JB Weld and instantly installed the tank at place in the hull. Now i need to re think, can i repair or should i forget the tank... Only bad surprises in this one.....

[C-NUMB]

I was wrong. This "repair" was not done by the Bayliner factory (sorry for thinking so). This is unbelievable.....the shape of the JB Weld pice in the hull, after removed it by the hammer was strange.....so i started to drill and i drilled in grey epoxy putty until it went trough the hull!!!!! WTF ?

So this is what has happen. Someone have drilled a 10mm hole through the hull and into the tank. Don't ask why, sabotage i guess.....Then, someone even more cleaver have "repaired" the hole in the hull and the hole in the tank by pressing JB or similar epoxy putty into both holes and leaving it like that, nothing else. Would not believe if not seeing with my own eye.... The funny thing is that the spot where the hole is, there is kind o double bottom(laminated plywood) so must have been challenging to reach the hole of the tank. Some people should just not own or touch boats at all.

Inside of tank was very clean, guess it has been leaking and not been used.....

[builderdude]

That's crazy! Good you removed the tank and found it, now you can do a better repair to the hull. The hole in the tank may be able to be "plastic welded" I had a wear hole in my water fill hose where it passed under the cabinets on the starboard side. Every time I'd fill the tank the carpet got wet near that area. I'm guessing you'll put new hoses in also.

[C-NUMB]

That's crazy! Good you removed the tank and found it, now you can do a better repair to the hull. The hole in the tank may be able to be "plastic welded" I had a wear hole in my water fill hose where it passed under the cabinets on the starboard side. Every time I'd fill the tank the carpet got wet near that area. I'm guessing you'll put new hoses in also.

Yes, each and every truh hull is already removed, will be replaced with new ones, all new hoses also. Same goes for deck fillers, hatch, portlights, engine vents ......the list goes on. Cost increase but fitting new stuff is so much easier than trying to fix old parts so rather have it that way. And when You hit bad weather you know exactly what you have, no need to worry on the equipment at least.

Yes the hole in the hull was a surprise, the putty seams to be well attached but its easy to do a proper repair so sure will do that. Will be though to find a tank similar size so probably will try to do a plastic weld( hot weld). I guess even a SS Bolt, washers, sealant and a nut would do the trick, but can be difficult to fit the tank so that the nut will not touch the hull.

[Centerline2]

. Some people should just not own or touch boats at all..

truer words than this have never been said...., no matter how enthusiastic some are about owning a boat, its just a bad idea for them and those around them....

[C-NUMB]

Anyone retrofitted a inspection hatch on this type of tanks? I know there is plenty of inspection hatches available, but don't think just drilling hole and screwing dow the frame of an ordinary inspection hatch would really make it water tight? Doing the weld would be so much easier if having access from inside, as also future cleaning of tank would be nice considering a hatch.

[MichaelEC1]

Hello all. I been reading this post and was glad to see this subject mentioned. I am actually replying for my father who owns his Bayliner. I read that some of you replaced your Fresh Water Tank with a new one. I been looking for a source and have not found one. I have looked everywhere and can not find a place to get a replacement tank. Can you help? My dad wants to replace his tank, it is out anyways why not. I see that I went the long way about it in pulling the tank out by cutting the floor to make room to pull it out. It was some work, well I would appreciate any help on any sources on where I can buy a replacement tank. Thanks.

[C-NUMB]

Don't know is there any identical replacement tank available. As the fit is relatively snug, some capacity might be lost with a generic tank. Made a 115 mm inspection hole in mine, so cleaning (in mine case also repairing) is really easy, now it is like new. Here the flange will use : https://wema.co.uk/products/flb-1-flange will post photos when completed.