New to me 23sf project #1: replace tanks

[passedoutwookie]

Happy to say I'll be officially joining this forum this weekend when my dad and I go pick up our first seacraft, an '85 23sf.

The boat has one issue, the tanks are making water. I am assuming this is going to require a full console removal and maybe some deck cutting to in order to get the tanks replaced. What size tanks are you guys running? We'll be pushing the boat with a 200 hpdi that has some pretty decent fuel burn numbers, but is reportedly finicky about clean fuel. The boat will need to be able to run for a full day of fishing, but we don't want anything too big.

While this is going on I'd like to add some hatch space to maximize our below deck storage. What're some hatch layouts that are popular with members? My Dad shies away from having a fish box in favor of a large ice chest, so don't need that. I plan on closing the transom some day, and would rather have a live well in transom or on the leaning post, so I don't think I want to put one in the floor. What do you guys think? Thoughts or suggestions for new owners?

[Old'sCool]

Welcome. I installed a 118 gal From Sunshine in Fla. 23' w/Hermco bracket, 250 2S Yamaha. Offshore trolling trip is ~160 miles burning ~75 gals. 118 is plenty. Move it forward and let it breathe

[SnafuFishTeam]

Congrats on the new purchase. I'm assuming this was the red 23 foot boat in Tampa. I would agree with olds cool recommendation of sunshine for a new gas tank. I currently have a 23 foot with a 200 HPDI Yamaha and a 100 gallon tank. But when I enclose my transom, I will be upgrading to the recommended tank above because I will be going with twin engines. I have use them in the past for other boat restorations and they did a great job at a reasonable price.

[bfox76]

Yes, it sounds like the RED SC 23 that I have seen on Craigslist. Congrats on your purchase and please post some pics!

[passedoutwookie]

Hey guys, we are headed down to pick up our new baby tomorrow. It is indeed the red hull from the Tampa area. Many pictures to follow! I plan on closing the transom and installing a hermco bracket at some point, so I'm thinking that we will want to move the tank forward as suggested. Also may try to scoot the console forward a few inches.

I live between Mobile and Pensacola so any recommendations on who to go see for an estimate on the fiberglass work would be appreciated. Can't wait to get her back here and get out on the water!

[Fr. Frank]

Probably the best fiberglass guy north of St. Pete and east of Houston is John Sullivan of American Mold and Fiberglass in Niceville, FL. (He's the kind of fiberglass guy who has the exotherm values and rates of various mixtures of resin and catalysts memorized !) His work with gel coat is amazing.
The downside is that the waiting time to get into his shop can range from 6 weeks to a few months, depending on the season. A whole lot of people are willing to wait to get John and his guys to do the work on their boat. Current back up is into January.
But if you don't need Ferrari-quality work, there are a number of people who do very good work in the Destin to Navarre stretch, and there is a couple over by the Naval Air Station in P'cola with excellent reputations.

While Sunshine does great work on fuel tanks, RJS in Perry, (south of Tallahassee) is also very good, and was an OEM supplier of fuel tanks to SeaCraft in the 70's and 80's. When I replaced the original tank on my '74 SeaCraft Tsunami, it was an RJS tank. RJS built me a new one by copying my old and it fit perfectly. I did NOT, however, foam the new tank in place. So when I replaced the tank on my previous 20' Seafari, I went back to them, and was again very pleased.