Gas Tank Hatch ?

[Islandtrader]

I am doing some pre-planning and would like a few comments.

I am replacing the entire cock pit sole.


When I put my new aluminum tank in I can lay the floor over the tank and have a large tank hatch(22*48) that would allow me to access and pull the tank any time (I would need to make the hatch). Or I can lay the panel down over the tank, with 2 access panels for the fittings,and sender. Just fasten (mechanical) and caulk the seams (easier). If I needed to pull tank I could, just need to pull up caulk.

There is not much space between floor and tank top, so storage is not an issue.

What does the real world think? Seal or Hatch.

[76Red18]

A hatch would look cleaner than the screws, caulk and pie plates. I would glass the seam and make a small access hatch for fittings and sender. The reason I say glass it is because when I tried to remove the caulk (5200) on mine, it was adhered so well that I had to use a saws-all on the tank cover anyway. Just take every precaution when installing the tank. A new tank should last as long as your new deck.

[htillman]

Either way make sure it is waterproof. If you seal the panel, lay a line of monofilament line down before you chaulk it, that way if you need to remove the panel, pull the mono up to cut the chaulk which makes removing the panel easy.

[Islandtrader]

A hatch would look cleaner than the screws, caulk and pie plates.

If you seal the panel, lay a line of mono filament line down before you caulk it, that way if you need to remove the panel, pull the mono up to cut the caulk which makes removing the panel easy.

Both thoughts are good. In reality the boat will most likely out last me. So maybe the best way is two small hatches and not worry about tank removal.

Any more thoughts out there?

[CaptLloyd]

IMHO, there is no need to expend the time and effort to build a hatch for tank removal.

Epoxy coat your new tank, install it so water will not sit against it, and glass in you new deck over it with inspection hatches.

And if it ever comes time to remove the tank (in 20 years ), you can teach your great grand kids how to use a skill saw to cut a rectangle in the deck

Who knows, by then, there will problably be "laser" saws

Lloyd

[Islandtrader]

And if it ever comes time to remove the tank (in 20 years ), you can teach your great grand kids how to use a skill saw to cut a rectangle in the deck

Lloyd

Yep, I have come to that conclusion, glass it and forget it.

[76Red18]

Yep, I have come to that conclusion, glass it and forget it.

Heck by then we're supposed to be weened of gas anyway [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]