Removing a Centaur Water Tank

The Centaur water tank is built in situ under the forward cabin V-berth and is not normally accessible. The tank is stainless steel and is supported between the aft bulkhead of the chain locker and the bulkhead behind the V berth aft vertical face. It is not unusual for the water tank to develop pinhole leaks along the welds and possibly even a crack along the lower edge welds. This will become apparent as fresh water seepage (taste test) under the centre of the floor near the main cabin cold box. The water will appear to come from the forward direction and can be surprisingly copious.

To deal with this there ar two basic options:

(1) Stop using the water tank and fit say a flexible tank into one of the side lockers.

(2) Cut through the fibre glass top of the V berth to expose the water tank and remove it for repair or replacement.

(1) is obvious but (2) requires more explanation.

To remove the water tank proceed as follows:

(1) Make some exploratory drillings to ascertain the location of the edges of the tank.