Tankage
When we purchased the hull two tanks were in place and included in the cost. We had a 600 litre white diesel tank for the engine and a 2500 litre red diesel tank for the heating and generator fuel. It is important to have a good reserve of diesel as in the canals of France the places to fill up are not abundant and you may find yourself sitting on the quai waiting for a delivery truck, ordered (in French) because you could no longer move.
We felt that 600 litres was a little light so, with some unused space behind the galley, we had a further 400 litre tank made and connected as a flow through to the main white diesel tank. This cost 3500 Euros, fitted, and has been well worth the added expense.
We had a grey water tank of 2000 litre capacity built into the forepeak as part of the original purchase agreement. We have yet to use this, but it may come in handy as water ballast tank until such time as the authorities insist we use it to store waste water. The tank can be pumped out from the deck fitting or pumped overboard, or avoided altogether by a direct overboard discharge fitting.
Finally, we had two black tanks installed, one for each toilet. These are part of a vacuum flush system and so the cost is included in the section on Waste.
In summary, tankage is an early consideration and most of the costs are included in sail-away conditions. Tank size is important, the bigger the better. Black and grey tanks are optional but quite possibly will be required in the not too distant future. Five hundred litres ought to suffice for black tanks. The cost of having both added will be in the order of 6000 Euros.
