Loose baffles in water tanks

[rivaro]

The baffle in my starboard water tank has come loose. Any one have a solution to this? I'm not real crazy about trying to replace them if theres a way to repair.
Thanks
Roy

[EdHouston]

I have the same problem but in both port & Stbd tanks. Think the only way to repair them is to cut the top of the tank out. I am considering just cutting the baffels up and passing them out through the inspection port. Some think it a bad idea to remove them all together but mine are not helping matters at the moment other than keeping us wake at sea as they clang around.

Ed
S/V Moonlight Mile hull #110.

[Shacklepin]

I have just done a repair on my Stbd tank.
Having just purchased the boat one of my priorities was to make it "wife friendly" which means clean water at any time.
I started this by cutting two additional inspection ports [I used Screw in deck plates] in the first of the three tanks so I could get right inside with a swimming pool stainless steel wire brush and get the black grud out of there.  Constant flushing kept the bilge pump earning its money but every slimy/crusty lump was removed. finally getting my hands and paper towels inside I dried her out completely the outlet is about 1/2" above the bottom so she never really empties.
I did notice that flexing in either the tank or the hull had caused each of the baffles to separate from the bottom of the tank but the top is more solidly attached. The forward one, when tested was still strongly attached at the top so I left as is. Unfortunately my vigorous scrubbing and over exuberant testing knocked the aft baffle completely off.
So the repair was effected by reinstalling it in its original position. I was lucky that the top fiberglass fixing angle was still in place so I drilled through the top of the tank and through the fiberglass fixing angle and bolted the whole thing back together, using stainless 3/8" bolts and nyloc nuts with the largest washers I could find, plenty of Potable sealant and backed the whole lot up using a piece of the Plastic Marine lumber I hadn't found a use for, on the outside of the tank top, bolting right through to spread the stresses. The two additional 5" access ports give great access to every corner of the tank so any future requirements are catered for. she's holding up nicely so far. If you decide to go this way remember to measure the location of each baffle before cutting the hole. The reinforcing angle is to forward side of each baffle, and is about 4" x 4" so cut well forward otherwise you will end up cutting through it as I did,  before it burnt the saw blade out. yes it's thick stuff.
Measure twice cut once my old Dad used to tell me.

I hope this helps

Happy Sailing -----------Shacklepin-----------_/)-----_/)