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382 Starboard Water Tank Leak

B

Bobby D

New Member
I just got my 1979 Morgan 382 this spring. I love the boat, but like all boats, there are projects.

I'm starting to plan how I can tackle a leak in my starboard water tank. The tank doesn't hold water (goes to bilge) and when inspecting I can water the water run out. I have also found a water hose that appears to be disconnected/broke.

Has anyone been able to remove the starboard bunk to reveal the tank? I have removed some screws but am unable to remove the base of the bunk. I feel like I might have to start cutting into some wood and would like to plan before I make the project bigger than it needs to be.

Has anyone had to rerun that hose exiting the tank?

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Bobby
 
Foggy Dew said:
I just got my 1979 Morgan 382 this spring. I love the boat, but like all boats, there are projects.

I'm starting to plan how I can tackle a leak in my starboard water tank. The tank doesn't hold water (goes to bilge) and when inspecting I can water the water run out. I have also found a water hose that appears to be disconnected/broke.

Has anyone been able to remove the starboard bunk to reveal the tank? I have removed some screws but am unable to remove the base of the bunk. I feel like I might have to start cutting into some wood and would like to plan before I make the project bigger than it needs to be.

Has anyone had to rerun that hose exiting the tank?

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Bobby
Click to expand...
Hello,
The way i survey my tank was by removing all screws from the top plywood and then using some force i was able to take the top and fully inspect the tank, the fitting atached to the tank was broken so i had to cut hose fittings to renové, i also cut the plywood closest to the fitting for better acces.. 3 hr proyect 2 People..
 
Diego said:
Hello,
The way i survey my tank was by removing all screws from the top plywood and then using some force i was able to take the top and fully inspect the tank, the fitting atached to the tank was broken so i had to cut hose fittings to renové, i also cut the plywood closest to the fitting for better acces.. 3 hr proyect 2 People..
Click to expand...
Thank you Diego. It's encouraging that I'm on the right path. I was able to get the plywood screws out. It seems like the 3/4 round trim is glued or fastened somehow. I'm trying to avoid damaging the trim which is in very good shape.

So far I can't get the plywood to budge; with force. Any suggestions?
 
I believe the trim may be attached with screws hidden by teak bungs. If you can locate each bung, carefully pick the out with a small wall ot other tool. Remove screws and gently prise the trim loose with putty knife under it. Most the trim in our boats are likewise applied. Replace with new appropriate sized bungs. No glue needed on the interior bungs. I rarely have glued any on my boat. Simply push in, chisel or cut excess and refinish.
Another possibility is the trim is attached with pin nails, simply prise under the trim the same way. And gently.
Mitchell
 
I have accessed the port tank, not the starboard. The trim was glued and held with nail barbs. The trim split a bit prying it off, but glued back together the split is invisible. After removing all the screws, some of the top was under the edge of the cabinetry and would not come out.. I had to cut the top around the edges to release it.

I did have the hose connection break on my starboard tank, but was able to repair it without removing anything. One of the grey plastic fittings cracked. They are still available, and I bought a handful of spares, so I had everything on hand to just replace it.
 
Right. Most of the small trim pieces are nailed (!!) not screwed. Morgan cut corners where it could.

Warren, was the grey fitting screwed into the tank? None of mine have broken, but.... What are the pieces called or who makes and sells them?
 
Foggy Dew said:
I just got my 1979 Morgan 382 this spring. I love the boat, but like all boats, there are projects.

I'm starting to plan how I can tackle a leak in my starboard water tank. The tank doesn't hold water (goes to bilge) and when inspecting I can water the water run out. I have also found a water hose that appears to be disconnected/broke.

Has anyone been able to remove the starboard bunk to reveal the tank? I have removed some screws but am unable to remove the base of the bunk. I feel like I might have to start cutting into some wood and would like to plan before I make the project bigger than it needs to be.

Has anyone had to rerun that hose exiting the tank?

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Bobby
Click to expand...
I had the same problem with both port and stbd water tanks over 25 years ago and I was able to repair them. First drain the tanks and remove the round plastic tank top cap. Hopefully your hand isn't too big to reach in with appropriate gloves on. I made a bung to push into the end of the water pipe fitting the tank in the corner. Next I cleaned the area with acetone. You may be able to look in and see the cracks where the pipe fitting screws in. I used some 40 grit sand paper to rough up the area and wipe again with acetone. Now the fun part, squirt a fistfull of Sikaflex 5200 in your hand and reach in and smear it into corner to cover the area. Let it cure enough to hold shape and pull the bung out of the water pipe. I let the tank cure for a month befor using it. It's held up now 25 years.
 
Foggy Dew,
I just re read your post. The base of the bunk is fiberglass. Its a fiberglass bowl the tank sits in. It is part of the IGU (integral glass unit) and a structural part of the boat. Don't cut that. If you aren't able to repair in place, the tank needs to come out of the top leaving the sides in place.
 
The cracks in both of our water tanks were where the lower discharge fitting was jammed into the plastic of the tank. we used the same procedure as John Harris to repair the cracks. Our results are exactly the same as his. The only necessity is finding someone with a small enough hand to fit through the inspection ports. It has been years since our tanks have leaked. Don't disassemble the bunks if it's not necessary.

Jim
 
Thanks for all the feedback. In this case the bulkhead fitting in the side of the tank was cracked and came completely out, so I'm left with just a hole. I think I will approach this using a combination of suggestions. I'll try and keep the tank in place and hope I can get a bulkhead / bung fitting in place to re-attache the hose under the nav. John, your feedback was the clue I was looking for.

Hopefully I don't have to take the bunk apart to lift the tank out...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be sure to update with some results.
 
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