Sea Craft Project

[L.T.]

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   Will post progress with more pics

[pilot2550]

Whole lot easier installing as the boat is being constructed. Good luck with the project. 

[Pops Soul]

  Yikes  Good Luck

[Hotrod]

ugh....   gOOD LUCK.  KEEP US POSTED T^

[Offshore Madness]

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!

[L.T.]

AOK Offshore, Thanks for the support I might just take you up on that offer. Your fuel tank  job looks great. 

[Offshore Madness]

AOK Offshore, Thanks for the support I might just take you up on that offer. Your fuel tank  job looks great. 

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)

[Maritime Matt]

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.

[Offshore Madness]

True i agree with the way they build em 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!

[L.T.]

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.

[IrishAyes]

As you know, I have a Parker. There is no access to the tanks (I have three ) 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. 

Good luck with your project L.T. and offshore, your project turned out great. 

[L.T.]

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 

[Offshore Madness]

   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

[L.T.]

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.

[NJ Guy]

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

[SurfJockey]

Good luck with the project LT! 

[Offshore Madness]

ok sounds good

[L.T.]

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

[L.T.]

Forgot to mention, the top of the tank is in pristine condition

[NJ Guy]

wow man its amazing how easy it is to open up a can of worms on boats....