Willard 40 Particulars
Willard 40 Tankage
Compiled by Richard Miller, June 2011 (From WBO Yahoo List)
Standard tankage for the Willard 40 was 600 gal. for diesel fuel located amidships [originally iron; later two 300-gal. aluminum tanks] 300 gal. fresh water [stainless steel] tank located amidships ahead of the fuel tank; 75 gal. [fiberglass] holding tank in the bow. As freshwater and diesel is used, there is very little change in trim - the hull just gets lighter in the water. The fiberglass holding tank which is integral to the hull serves as a collision barrier of sorts. I don't know of any other trawler with this arrangement. -Patrick Gerety, Willard 40PH 2/17/08
But “standard” varies depending on the year of construction, as the examples below indicate. All boats listed here are Willard 40 trawlers,1977 or later flybridge sedan or pilothouse model, or 1974 wide-body model (no side-decks) sedan or pilothouse. A number of owners have mistaken their aluminum fuel tanks for stainless steel. Only the water tanks were stainless. However, any replacement tanks may vary from the original.
Aloha[2002 PH with much customizing]:
Fuel: two 350 gallon aluminum tanks (custom size) midships, athwartwhip.
Water: One 300 gal. stainless steel tank, athwartship, forward of fuel tank.
Holding: single 75 gal. fiberglass, integral to lower hull at bow, doubling as collision bulkhead.
Patrick P 6/21/11
Vides-Poches[2001 PH]:
Fuel: Two 300 gal stainless steel tanks [almost certainly aluminum ];
Water: One 300 gal stainless steel;
Holding: bow tank failed; replacement in stern is more than 75 gal.
Martha Milot 6/21/11
Adria1999-2000:
Fuel: Two standard 300 gal aluminum tanks amidships; can draw from one or both tanks, or equalize; only aft sides accessible;
Water: One 300 gal stainless steel tank ahead of fuel, with forward side visible through hatch in forward stateroom floor and aft side from under stairs;
Holding: One 75 gal integral fiberglass tank in lower bow.
Richard Miller 6/17/11
Blue Moon, 1988 W40 FBS:
Fuel: Two 300 gal stainless tanks [almost certainly aluminum] .
Water: One 300 gal, stainless steel tank.
Holding: One 75 gal integral fiberglass.
Airborne1985 FBS:
Fuel: Two 300 gal diesel tanks [almost certainly aluminum] .
Ron Rogers 6/20/11
No Regrets, 1983 FBS has two 300 gallon metal [presumably aluminum] fuel tanks.
Steve Bedford 6/20/11
Cavu, 1981 FBS [started 4 months after Rincon]:
Fuel: Two 300 gal aluminum tanks side by side in front of the engine;
Water: One 400 [300?] gal stainless tank forward of the midship bilge.
Holding tank: 75 gals built into bow.
Survey 9/4/07, David Ullrich, Bob Slawson 6/21/11
Rincon, 1981 FBS:
Fuel: Diesel 600 gal tank [one or two tanks?].
Water: One 260 gal tank.
Holding: 75 gals tank built into bow.
PassageMaker Magazine Oct 2008 pg. 102 et seq;Passagemaker.com 10/2008
No hulls laid up between 1977 and 1981.
Lilliana[1977-78 FBS]
Fuel: One 600 gal. iron tank, athwartship. (and a Perkins Sabre engine).
Water: One 250 gal. [300?] fiberglass water tank, forward of fuel tank.
Holding: One 75 gal. fiberglass tank, integral to hull.
Volumes from surveys or Willard literature rather than measured. Only the aft wall of the fuel tank is visible and accessible. Water tank is under the floor in the forward stateroom; can only see a small part of one side thru the floor hatch. I assume it is fiberglass from the sound when I tap on the side.
Richard P 6/20/11
October[1977 FBS]:
Fuel: One 600 gal. black steel [black iron] tank.
Water: One 400 (?) [300?] gal aluminum [stainless steel] tank forward ofamidships.
Holding: One 75 gal. fiberglass tank.
Jim Davis 6/21/11
Northstar [1974 wide-body sedan, commissioned 1978]:
Fuel: 600 gals., single tank, steel [iron?], athwart ship.
Water: 300 gals, single tank, steel athwart ship, located forward of fuel tank.
Holding: 75 gals., single fiberglass, integral.
Richard Soto 6/21/11
Mystic, 1974 wide-body pilothouse:
Fuel: One 600 gal iron tank.
Water: 300 gals, single tank, fiberglass and plywood.
Holding: 75 gals., built in.
Charles Roark 6/21/11
Veronica, 1974 PH:
Fuel: Two 300 gal stainless steel tanks [aluminum unless replaced or special order].
Water: One 300 gal stainless steel tank.
Holding: 75 gal integral fiberglass.
Donna Gambino 6/22/11