1. Built-in tank integrated to hull vs. stainless steel tank
2. Bilge location and dimension
3. Is fiberglass a suitable material for potable water tank?
Well, like a lot of my projects it takes me a while to get to it. Today I got out my saber saw and cut into the teak and holly veneered sole (over fiberglass substrate). This is what I found -
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4936972256_e0a40463cf_z.jpg)
I cannot believe Aeromarine considers this a potable water tank! Look what gem the Aeromarine worker left in the water tank! Oh my, I hope the PO's never drank from this tank. I had my doubts so I never drank anything that came out this tank.
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4936384213_d64f6f1994_z.jpg)
Here is the cutout opening -
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4936384325_00d937b073_z.jpg)
Here is my dilema and question -
![Image](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4936384447_188619557b_z.jpg)
As you can see in the middle of the inclined section of the bilge there is what appears to be a lifting eye which has been glassed over. I am not sure what purpose it still serves since the bilge is entire glassed in. If you can think of use for the glassed in lifting eye please let me know.
The lifting eye is right in the middle of where I was going to have a custom stainless steel water tank built. Before I opened up the sole I was thinking that the water tank will probably be an inverted L shape. The upper section will reast on the incline portion of the bilge and the lower portion will sink into the deep part of the bilge. Now with the lifting eye in the middle I am at loss as to what is the best thing to do here. I think my options are:
1. Cut out the lifting eye and continue with my plan.
2. Settle with a smaller tank that will sit in the deep part of the bilge but I can only get approximately 15 gal.
3. Use the bilge for battery storage as Tim has done for Circe which I think is an excellent idea. The only problem is that my future plan involves offshore sailing and I really need the water storage space.
What are your thoughts?