NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
Boating => Mechanical Forum => Topic started by: L.T. on July 31, 2011, 07:00:25 PM
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I also started a fuel tank project the other day
on My 23 ft. Sea Craft walk around. It's an original equipment rectangular tank. The Fuel closet floor ended being all rotted from what I can see, as I have not pulled the tank out yet, I have raised the rear about four inches which was like pulling eye teeth from a vampire. I'm going to have to cut the helm deck as the access panel is 4ft long and the tank is 8 ft long. Also removed the rear bulkhead as pictured. It seems as though they have built the boat around the tank fcp Will post progress with more pics
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Whole lot easier installing as the boat is being constructed. Good luck with the project. t^
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cfzd Yikes fcp Good Luck
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ugh.... thud ;D gOOD LUCK. KEEP US POSTED T^
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Hey there Capt. I just redid my entire fuel system in our vessel.If you need help with any thing just let me know or give me a call at 908-902-2654...
I also posted my work on here under "Ever Enough" fuel tank replacement i did pictures...I did lots of research on this and i also worked as a certified marine mech.for over 15 years.
do ur self a favor!! stay away from the foam and carbon rubber.They both will do damange to ur tank.
I used sp tanks in barnaget they were awesome, Perfect.You can get noncarbon rubber strips and always go the lenth not with when glueing them on.
I also used rubberized undercoating to spray the tank and the area where the tank is to sit.This is to protect the area! Works GREAT..
Again if you need any thing please call ill help any way i can!!!!!Looking forward to see your job's progress.
This picture is the strips i was talking about!
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AOK Offshore, Thanks for the support I might just take you up on that offer. Your fuel tank job looks great. slt
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AOK Offshore, Thanks for the support I might just take you up on that offer. Your fuel tank job looks great. slt
Any time!Give me a shout! if your not to far id even stop by and take a look see! (if needed! of course}
Thanks the fuel tank job ended up 40 bucks below what i was first thought!got some killer deals at local shops and it came out perfect!Like i said if your close ill give you the places i went to..
always willin to help out a fellow Capt.
I know that turnin nauseating angry feelin u get when you walk out ur front door and there's a boat! you CANT use(lol)
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We have a Blackfin in the yard gettin a new tank as well. I really wish these boat manufacturers would "get it " and install the tanks the right way and coat the exteriors right from the start as well as make access hatches to pull'em out without surgery. Good luck.
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True i agree with the way they build em smk but now the best advise i can give is NO FOAM and NONcarbon rubber only! check every hose that has to do with fuel,if for a second you stop and say to ur self "ummmmm kinda?" you should change that hose!
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10-4 on the surgery Matt. I only had a few hours to play today. Upon further inspection, the core on the helm deck is soft especially under the seat pedestals. So, I had to do major surgery, killing 2 birds with 1 stone. I will Replace the tank and re-core the deck. The following pics are the cut out area showing the length of the tank which is about 8' Some good core verses bad core which I believe is balsa. rgmn rgmn rgmn rgmn
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As you know, I have a Parker. There is no access to the tanks (I have three cfzd) unless you cut the deck. It has been asked of Parker why they do it this way. Their reasoning is...if they built the boat with deck access (there are plates to access the fuel lines and sending units) the deck access area is a great area for water intrusion. They feel that the tanks will last longer because there is no 'sealed' area that can leak. It also lowers the original price of the boat because there is less labor involved with no deck access.
They estimate their tanks will last about twenty years this way. My boat is 17 years old and although the tanks are starting to show their age, they do not need to be replace just yet.
The explanation sounds reasonable to me. 5hrug
Good luck with your project L.T. and offshore, your project turned out great. t^
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Thanks for the well wishes,and the 8 and 10oz lead you gave me on the Sea Hawk trip. May your fuel tanks last you another 17 years clp clp slt slt
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cfzd WOW...bro got to cuttin i sea..thats a bummer..my offer still stands..now that you sea what your workin with you can go from there..good luck with this job at hand bro.again my offer stands(im not scared hahaha) and Thanks for the complient...Irishayes
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OK Offshore, I'll keep you in reserve in case I get in more trouble. Will be removing the tank tomorrow. I expect the tank compartment floor will also have to be rebuilt. thud
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good luck buddy.
my boat is the same way cut up the deck to access the fuel tank orrrrrrr you can pull out the motor and take it out through the engine compartment... And water tank forget it have to take a chainsaw mid deck
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Good luck with the project LT! t^
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ok sounds good slt
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Well, was able to remove the tank today. used a come-along to hoist and pull. Hoisted up the front until the bottom was clear from the deck about 2 inches, slid a 2x4 underneath as so the deck could support the tank and did the same in the rear. Turned it up on edge and slid it off the boat along side the engine. Upon inspection I found 4 pin holes on the bottom( where else) with wet spots of gas about the size of a Quarter around each area. The tank compartment on the boat is totally shot. It will have to be re-built as well. Living the dream rgmn rgmn
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Forgot to mention, the top of the tank is in pristine condition hhppy
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wow man its amazing how easy it is to open up a can of worms on boats....
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wow man its amazing how easy it is to open up a can of worms on boats....
Like a project in a old house, one thing leads to the next...... nosmly
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Yep, The one or two screw holes left unattended can cause a lot of damage down the road. I bought this boat knowing what I was in for but, it doesn't make it any easier performing the repairs. In this boat's case all the access panels were water tight but, apparently someone had changed the seat pedestals and did not bed the bolts or at least not properly. Water seeped down through to the tank area and water laid on the tank closet floor creating rot also rotting the helm deck core.
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Nice work and documentation.. t^
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wow man its amazing how easy it is to open up a can of worms on boats....
Hey Mike you just named my boat "Can Of Worms" I like it clp
Thanks for the support, Rod slt
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hahaha yeah its fitting TT^
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This is an interesting thread,, But you are scaring me.. :P My boats almost 40 years old.. :-\ :-\
Good luck with the project. I feel your pain. ;)
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Didn't mean to scare you Hunter, Chances are Your boat has received more TLC than the one described here. This boat came up from the Florida Keys about 5 years ago in rough shape The person used it for a trade- in at my brothers used car lot. My brother Gave him 500.00 credit for the boat, Motor (85 200 Hp Yammy) and trailer, thinking the motor was seized. He asked me to come down to Delaware to check out the purchase. We found out that the lower unit was seized . Dropped the unit, motor cranked had good compression. My brother had intentions on keeping it and getting into boating which never materialized. It sat behind his lot for 3 years. I liked the lines of the walk around. Did some research on Sea- Craft hull and stringer design and decided to make him an offer, not much more than he paid and He accepted. I bought a used unit,put new seals and water pump bolted it up and rebuilt the 3 carbs happy to say she runs like a clock. that was faze 1 of 4 faze 2 replace the fuel tank 3 re-core the upper deck 4 repair and re- geloat cracks and gouges to the chine and gunnel areas. Then splash time. Which might take a couple of seasons Bottom line is this boat was abused than sat on a trailer for 5 years. 3 of those years uncovered.
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Updated pic's. ripped out rotten fuel tank deck.
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Wow looking good with the progress so far! clp glad to see the tanks out.thats the hardest part now its all open and can be cleaned/replaced/repaired/sealed and be ready for the tank insall.Let me know if u have any questions/concerns...
like i said b4 ill give you the places i got my parts from they were the cheapest.
any way have fun and enjoy the fruits for ur labor!!! chrz
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No progress report,as while I was pulling it back to the storage yard, after ripping out the gas tank and cleaning up the area, The rear axle springs snapped in half, Come out from under the trailer. Of course the local police cruiser was about 3 cars back. called a couple of friends , they helped me put the axle and wheels in the boat. Can't transport the boat until it is repaired. Police orders. Called around for springs and seems the whole axle spring setup is redneck technology and has to be re-configured.
Boat work postponed trailer work to proceed. will add Pics of the disaster when I get time. rgmn rgmn rgmn rgmn. Or, For Sale 23 ft WA ready for new tank with single axle trailer thud
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thud well ur half way there! lookin like a little more work then mine but the hardest part is over. My offer still stands!
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Well,Blocked up the boat yesterday. Will transport the trailer with escort up to the spring shop about 25 miles away. Will resume Fiberglass repair to the tank area when I get the trailer back. As I can transport it to my work area.
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Good luck. Very ambitious project. clp
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again my offer is still there.....
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OK, Roger Wilco, thanks again for the offer. Once I get the trailer back, I will be be putting the boat back on , running it back to my work area, as where it is now I have no access to electric or air for power tools. I will be doing some glass work, making new bulkheads laid up with glass cloth and resin, then tank installation. I hope to do this before the cold weather sets in. I'll give you a shout at that point and thanks again.
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Well, The trailer has all new springs, Equalizer and shackles. Yesterday I jacked up the boat another 2/12 inches to allow for the increased height of the trailer. Slid it under the boat. Will resume with the boat project, as soon as I receive all the materials, resin glass cloth to construct the new fuel tank compartment.
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t^
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Coming along fine. t^
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One step closer..... clp
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GreetingsFrom a long lost NJSF Member. Here are pics of fuel tank cabin rebuilt, tank installed, Helm Deck reinstalled, glass matted, Long fiber filler sanded then gel Coated. First pics are florr and bulhead material 3/4 Ply rather than original 1/2 inch
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Closet installed with Neopreme Patches as per Manufacturer and helm deck to be reinstalled
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Fabricated the Hold down Straps, Tank installed Installed deck gel coated deck.
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Nice work t^
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whs
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Thanks,That phase of work was completed in 2012. I'm back on the site and noticed I never updated the progress of that project. I would like to say that I finished restoring the Sea Craft to her original glory but that wouldn't be the truth. I was sidetracked by a 53 Buick project I've been working on but, intend on getting back to the old girl in the spring of this year, God willing.
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Made back when cars had some distinct style of their own . slt
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Sweet car. Nice lines t^
They look great restored
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t^
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Pretty car, That's a 3 holer which would make it a super or special. Roadmaster is a 4 holer. The reason I bought it was, It was the type of vehicle I learned to drive on. When you ride in these old buicks you might wnat to take some bonine along they are real floaters. If you hit a speed bump it doesn't stop bouncing for a half a block.