1987 23' WA Fuel Tank Replacement

tuskvt · #1 07-12-2014, 09:48 PM

I have a 1987 23' WA Sea Craft with the original tank. It's not leaking yet, but I think I'm running on borrowed time and am considering replacing it at the end of the summer. Anyone with a 23' WA that has replaced the tank? If so, any idea what I can expect to pay? Does the replacement require cutting the floor or does it fit out/in of the existing "removable" floor section? Not sure I'm ready to tackle this project myself (especially if it requires cutting and re-glassing). Also, anyone know of a good source for tanks on Cape Cod / Eastern Massachusetts?

-Scott

Old'sCool · #2 07-13-2014, 06:59 AM

Lots of tank info here if you'll search. Sunshine in Fla made mine and I would buy from them again.

htillman · #3 07-13-2014, 11:46 AM

Pretty sure the tank can be removed by removing the large removable middle section of deck that is screwed down. There maybe a second smaller section that needs to be removed. Not really difficult, your tank maybe foamed in which will make removal harder. Lots of recommendations on dealing with removing the tank when foamed in. My friend used to say that $10.00/gal was a good rule of thumb. However, I have had tanks made for much less and seen some for more.

CaptLloyd · #4 07-15-2014, 10:29 PM

If you have the 112gal tank, then there will be glass work. I did mine on my '88 23WA and this is what I encountered. After removing the live well and deck hatch, I had to cut out the aft bulkhead of the tank coffin box. The tank will not lift straight up because it extends forward under the helm platform. Mine was foamed in, and trying to cut all the foam loose under the helm area was not happening. I used a come along to finally break it loose and slide it aft. Then came my next obstacle, the motor well would not allow the tank to slide far enough aft to allow me to wiggle the tank out. Since I was enclosing the transom during this project, I cut the motor well out and the tank finally came out. After I rebuilt the coffin box (most of the floor was water logged) I installed (not foamed) a new 115gal tank built by Sunshine welding in Port Canaveral.

There is a member with a '89? 23WA (I believe his user name is "Gary") that replaced his tank several years ago. He cut the tank as they removed it and replaced it with a smaller tank so not to cut up the motor well.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Lloyd