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?