23 CC fuel tank, finally out!

ocuyler · #1 02-02-2003, 01:04 AM

Hi,

Having recored the fuel hatch, recond all the loose stuff on the boat and the console, everything is ready to paint. The weather finally got over freakin 30 degrees so we have turned our attention to the main boat.

I'd been dreading pulling out the fuel tank as I just knew it wasn't going to be easy. Despite what Lt. Dan claims, this is not a one man 15 minute job. Due to the "uniqueness of this installation (1989), the foam was way overkill and we had to cut a 2" strip of the "lip" to get it out.

There was ice under and around the tank, which had no means of drainage. There was a strong presence of fuel (in the ice) which leads me to believe there may be a pinhole leak. A pressure test will bear this out.

A pressure washer kicked butt in the cavity, removing all the remaining foam, revealing a drainage gutter on each side that the foam had filled. Fortunately, the plywood was in good shape so we only cut out 18" just for fun to verify the keel condition.

Some fun.

Otto

Jon G · #2 02-03-2003, 01:46 AM

That is one big tank. I guess I lucked out because there was no foam around my tank. I couldn't imagine trying to get the tank to "pop" with all the foam in there. At least you can get at the back of the tank to help pull it up. Where's the fish hold? it looks like the tank runs right up to the step up in the deck?

Finster · #3 02-02-2003, 02:24 PM

Hey, Otto nice job. That project looks like more than a six pack. You might want to contact Ldan to see if he has any C4 left over. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Did you get the new tank? I would assume it's custom.

ocuyler · #4 02-02-2003, 10:27 PM

Jon G: The tank is 120+ gallons. We used a 12" sawsall blade to loosen the foam. We cut the aft panel out and used crow bars to get it started and 2 of us "bench-pressed" it out with some effort. There are 2 fish holds, one just behind the fuel tank (which I removed) and a huge one under the casting platform.

Finster: We were high on PowerAide. If I could only get that ice in the bilge in July! I haven't pressure tested the tank yet so we'll see. The heaters are running in the bilge to dry it out so it can be painted.

Carrying on...

Otto