Should I replace a flexible water bladder with a rigid tank on my sailboat?

[Addison85]

I’m trying to decide if I should replace the original 12-gallon flexible water tank in my 28-foot sailboat with a rigid one. The old bladder is starting to smell a bit funky no matter how much I clean it, and I’m worried a small tear could leave me without fresh water on a longer cruise.

[Matthew35]

Yeah I swapped a 12 gallon bladder for a rigid tank last season on a 28 ft sailboat. The rigid tank fit the space better and the smell mostly disappeared once I cleaned the connections and mounted it solidly.

[ElizabethW]

Smell can come from hoses, fittings, or residue in the system, not just the tank. A rigid tank can be sturdier for long cruises, but you’ll want to check mounting, weight, and access for sanitation.

[CamilaS]

I did a quick cost check and was surprised by the extra hardware, but in the end I chose the rigid option because I didn’t want to risk a tear mid-cruise.

[Paul15]

Do you think the root issue is the bladder itself or something else in the system?