Paul, hi,
thanks for all of this. I've digested it all and we're pretty much in line.
Ballast tanks, you're right, need to be so huge to make a different that
they're impractical. I'm better off making sure I have a means to get solid
ballast off and on the boat when I need to.
I still worry about all the bridges up to Oxford. Next spring I'll row from
Windsor up to Oxford taking pictures and measurements of every bridge I meet
but by then it'll be too late as the hull and deck will likely be built!
Kind regards,
James
-----Original Message-----
Forum (B) - Paul Hayes [mailto:dbabarges-pvYRptiajiAdnm+***@public.gmane.org]
Sent: 16 September 2014 21:35
subscribers
tanks
Hi James
After living aboard for over ten years I would make the following
observations, which will inevitably differ to that of others.
Unless you are building a very large barge, which will navigate almost
continuously, I would suggest that a large independent fuel tank is going to
prove a long term liability, as will huge drinking water storage, and
ballast tanks.
Fuel - white diesel. I would suggest for "normal" use, to protect against
possible contaminated diesel that two or more smaller tanks, interlinked and
able to be isolated from each other, so that during the winter problems with
condensation does not build up to a problematic level, also "new" diesel
that includes bio products has an affinity for water and has quite a short
tank life. A total of about 1000 litres will take you a long way, there is
always room to store an extra couple of hundred in plastic drums (bidons is
the name here) for topping up the tanks.
Red diesel, if you are going to use red diesel for heating (so much already
on the forum about this) a minimum of 500 litre, and suggest a maximum of
around 1000 - 1500 litres is about right.
Water - Navigating in France, something between 1000 and 3000 litres is OK,
we only have 1250 ltr which, even with fresh water fluhs toilets (Jabsco
quiet flush - the most water economic that I know of) can last two of us 2
weeks with a degree of care, we have never been near to running out. Much
more that 3 kl and you risk the real possibility of having "stale water" at
some time, the smell and taste of which "sticks" in the pipework and a
complete sterilisation is required.
Black water - I would suggest Polypropolene - Google "CAK Tanks" (Caravan
Accessories of Kenolworth), they have a range of standard sizes which can be
interlinked easily, I have seen "stainless" rot though, not nice - there
are many grades "stainless". If intending to come to France the black tank
will not realistically be used, as pump outs are almost unknown here, so
make arrangements for direct underwater discharge.
Grey water - unless you want to go into Swiss waters the need is effectively
never going to happen. The amount of grey water from washing and showers is
just too much to store, and then what do you do with it.
Water Ballast - for boats in the 15 - 30 mtr x 1 to 1.5 metre draft, just
rely on fixed ballast, at 19.98 mts we have about 12 tons which gives a
draft of about 1.1 at the skeg, and enough stability for Channel crossing,
this could be reduced by a couple of tonnes easily and we would still have
plenty of airdraft, and if needed the wheelhouse will detach. The amount of
tank room to make appreciable difference to draft is too big to be
practical. The big commercials 38 mtrs to 120 mts long +, use it but only
when running empty, and then generally to give the prop a bit more "bite" in
the water, and they take on lots of tons of water.
Hope this helps
Paul Hayes