23 CC fuel tank, finally out!

[ocuyler]

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