Gas tank questions

[ricknewman]

I'm getting ready to pull up the foor in my '78 23cc. It's been sitting for a number of years and the motor is shot. So while I've got the deck up I want to take a good look at the tank. Any chance it's still good? Do I have to remove it to properly inspect?

[Oldboat]

You won’t be able to inspect the bottom and that’s most likely were there would be corrosion . since your in there I would pull it and clean it inside and check sender. Get it all checked and done so you don’t have to go back there

[DonV]

To answer your questions....1. slim chance, if it's original very slim chance, 2. Yes sorry gotta remove it, getting it out that's the tough part.

[Oldboat]

Originally Posted by ricknewman

I'm getting ready to pull up the foor in my '78 23cc. It's been sitting for a number of years and the motor is shot. So while I've got the deck up I want to take a good look at the tank. Any chance it's still good? Do I have to remove it to properly inspect?

There are some post of guys building a wood rack or tripod kinda thing over the tank to lift it out with come along.

[Vezo, Part II]

Unfortunately, opening up the hatch is a whole new world. How it all started for me. Hatch needed to be recored. All fuel lines upgraded to new methanol standards ($10/‘). The “$10/gallon” rule of thumb seems to be of the Baby Boomer era, especially with new tariffs on the aluminum. Go at least .125 thickness over standard 0.90 (should in theory last longer). The foam around tank will reflect where water held and corroded tank worse than where foam was not in contact with aluminum. Cut it out using a sawsall, but be careful determining if there is a floor in the hold. My ‘79 20 had beautiful gel coat finish inside. Be careful. Otherwise, not a bad job. As said, triple your time, money and beer budget. Or BOAT: Bring Out Another Thousand. A pic may help you see how to raise, pitch console out of the way without disconnecting or removing. Hope this helps.

Vezo

Oh and the Coal Tar Epoxy

[Vezo, Part II]

Two best suppliers should be RDS aluminum, Perry, Florida or Sunshine Tanks of South Florida, original builder of Potter era SeaCrafts.

Vezo.

[Capt Terry]

Maybe 12 years ago I ordered a tank from RDS made to my drawing duplicating the original dimensions. Looked good and have been satisfied. However discovered the bottom had some downward bow to it due to weldng distortion. I ground down any high spots where it would sit. But also had to grind the access hatch to avoid interference with the fuel fill elbow. Also put a rubber strip around the hatch to raise it slightly. Maybe should have requested a smaller height dimension. Just FYI

[Vezo, Part II]

Agreed. Once you send them the measurements, they develop a mechanical drawing, including fitting locations, email it back to confirm specifications. Once you sign in agreement, they’re building it and you’re paying for it same with Sunset, I believe, but they have specific drawings for you to approve.

Vezo.

IIRC...

[bumpdraft]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

Maybe 12 years ago I ordered a tank from RDS made to my drawing duplicating the original dimensions. Looked good and have been satisfied. However discovered the bottom had some downward bow to it due to weldng distortion. I ground down any high spots where it would sit. But also had to grind the access hatch to avoid interference with the fuel fill elbow. Also put a rubber strip around the hatch to raise it slightly. Maybe should have requested a smaller height dimension. Just FYI

I don't understand that. When I got my tank from them, probably 20 years ago, I told them what I had and they already had the specs. Got it shipped to me (well to a local business) and it fit great. It was already primer painted and I also painted it with resin.

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Two best suppliers should be RDS aluminum, Perry, Florida or Sunshine Tanks of South Florida, original builder of Potter era SeaCrafts.

Vezo.

RDS has the exact drawings and plans for ALL of the fuel tanks they made for Seacrafts from 1968 onward. They are NOT, however, listed by Seacraft model. Tell them the date of your boat manufacture (not the model year!), the tank model number if still available, or tank dimensions, capacity, and fill-neck location and direction. They were able to exactly duplicate the tank for my '71 Seafari for me back in 2006, and also just got one this year for my '88 18'.

The 49 gallon tank (47 gallons usable) for my '88 18' retails for about $830.
It was a bit less with my West Marine Associate discount.