350 holding tank replacement help please.

[geop]

The holding tank on my 2002 IP350 has just started to leak and has to be replaced due to corrosion! I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has previously replaced their 350 holding tank.

I have pictures of where to cut the floor for access and drawings of the original tank, but no pictures or information regarding what shape plastic tank to go back in with, replacing the floor panel that must be cut out, etc. I have reviewed the very helpful IP Photos site, but it would be of tremendous help to hear from a 350 owner who has done this previously.

George

[Jim-SW]

George,

I have a 32 that needed a HT replacement a couple of years ago, but mine is under a port side cushion and accessible. First thing I'd do in your case is call IP; they may help with the costs. I think that by 2002 they had started using the epoxy coated tanks that are not supposed to corrode.
By 2002 the entire fleet had been complaining about the alum tank failure rate.

I strongly believe that plastic tanks are the way to go--no rust or corrosion. Look at Ocean Link in Portsmouth, RI; I think the link is oceanlink.com but don't really remember. They have hundreds of sizes and shapes at a lot less money than IP quoted me for another aluminum (uncoated) tank.

Jim
IP32 South Wind

[chucklesR]

I'd think that a 2002 IP would be under warranty still - HT's should last 20 years or more. Have you called IP?

The only problem with plastic tanks is the lack of baffles to prevent sloshing around. If you are handy with tools you could build a custom tank with 1/2 inch marine ply, encapsulate it in epoxy with a 6 oz fiberglass overlayer inside and out - and include baffles and it would last longer than your boat. You could probably do that for 1/4 the cost.

[geop]

Thanks to you both- Jim and ChucklesR. I did contact Tom Broome at IP and he was quite helpful with a tank drawing, some pictures, and a contact. IP will not help with the cost, however.

I plan to go back in with a custom plastic tank with baffles and access. I would still like to hear from anyone who has done this job on a 350. as the pictures I have only show the cut and empty space.

George