gas tank

[daveloggerhead]

i need some advise. i have a 1986 23 with the orginal 135 gallon tanks that has a leak. i have checked the hoses on the tank and the leak is not the fill hose and not the feed to the engine. i'm taking the hatch covering the tank this weekend which is between the console is there anything i should look for or be careful about. lastly, can anyone give me a name of the best tank builder? i'm in SC but travel the whole eastcoast for work and can pick the tank up.
thanks logger

[Caymanboy]

More than likely the tanks are foamed in, good luck getting them out, big forklift, Florida Tank is in SC, they make all the tanks for Mako, might still have the drawings for that tank, runs about $10 a gal, make sure to epoxy coat the new tank before install. Good luck.

[ROBCAR]

I maybe going through the same situation with the tank and wonder 1. How can you check to see if the tank has no leaks?, and Why do you need to put epoxy the tank?

And incase I may need to replace it, do you have anyone who may do this job in Miami.

thanks in advance for any possible input.

Rob

[BigLew]

RobCar,

Take a look at this. It seems to be pretty thorough and it is by someone who should know what he is talking about. Neither I nor anyone who I have spoken with finds anything wrong with anything the author says in his discussion.

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm

Good luck!

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Robcar

As for your first question usually the smell of gas in the bilge is the first sign. Then if you see some gas in the bilge there is no doubt. Really the smell is all you need to know if you have a problem or not.

The epoxy process has become a option ever since the Pick Up truck epoxy roll on liners have come onto the market. When I did mine in 2001 no one was doing it that way. We were just starting to move away from the foam and put them in like the yacht survey fuel tank process suggested.

I had a tank made in Miami in 2001 if you need one local let me know and I will dig up the info.

FellowShip

Just for the Grins

[stoney]

SP tanks has been in the business for a long time and their down the street from where I've kept my boats since 1962. Their still in the same location making tanks from that year. good reputation.
http://www.sptanks.com/webdev/home.htm

[ROBCAR]

Thank BigLew, Fellow-Ship and Stoney for all the great info. I will check the link sent on the Yacht survey to get more familiar with this tank issue.

I figure now is the time to replace it, while in the overhauling process and before painting.

Rob

[Caymanboy]

I'm in ft lauderdale, I'm redoing my 20', tank and all, e-mail me if you want to talk about your tank. [email protected]

[ROBCAR]

Caymanboy, I just sent you an email with my contact info. I am also re-doing my 20 footer 1979 MA.

[LTsHoney]

I replaced a tank last year in my 18 cc. I can forward pics if you need additional info. contact me at [email protected]. I bought new poly tank from marine liquidators in Ft. Pierce, FL. everything working fine.
LT