72’ seafari tank removal

[Sprunx]

Hey guys,
Derigged and ripped the old crappy rotted console out of my seafari this weekend (its a seafari outboard / cc conversion done by the previous owner). I’ve had a new one in the works for a few weeks now. I pulled up the deck hatch over the fuel tank because I had an issue with water getting in my tank last year. Was going to try and pull the tank out but the more I looked at the more I became unsure if it would come out.... can anybody tell me if they have personally or know of anyone who has removed their tank without removing the deck with it? The hatch opening is definitely wide enough but idk about long enough to lift the front out and slide it out. I find it hard to believe that this is the original tank given its current shape and being almost 50 years old (from what I can see other than being filthy) but the deck is original from everything that can see.

[Capt Terry]

I am the original owner of my ‘76 Seafari. About 15 years ago I replaced the tank. No cutting of the deck was necessary. I emptied the tank as much as possible. I lifted the fwd end of the tank and slid the tank fwd until the aft end of the tank cleared the aft edge of the access hole. Got a neighbor to help me lift it out if the boat, but got the tank on the deck by myself. However your fuel hatch may be shorter on your ‘72. But your tank may be shorter as well. Mine was 47 gallons.

[jtharmo]

The tank and hatch are definitely smaller on my '72 Seafari compared to my '78. The linked post is an accurate hand drawing of an original Seafari tank. If your has the original tank I believe the procedure is to slide the tank back and lift the front. The taper at the front allows the bottom of the tank to clear the deck.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...8&postcount=11

[Sprunx]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

I am the original owner of my ‘76 Seafari. About 15 years ago I replaced the tank. No cutting of the deck was necessary. I emptied the tank as much as possible. I lifted the fwd end of the tank and slid the tank fwd until the aft end of the tank cleared the aft edge of the access hole. Got a neighbor to help me lift it out if the boat, but got the tank on the deck by myself. However your fuel hatch may be shorter on your ‘72. But your tank may be shorter as well. Mine was 47 gallons.

This is exactly what I was figuring at first but then the more I looked at it the more it looked like there wasn’t enough room between the top of the tank and the bottom lip of the hatch to be able to get the front of the tank high enough to slide out of the hatch

[Sprunx]

Originally Posted by SSPBill

The tank and hatch are definitely smaller on my '72 Seafari compared to my '78. The linked post is an accurate hand drawing of an original Seafari tank. If your has the original tank I believe the procedure is to slide the tank back and lift the front. The taper at the front allows the bottom of the tank to clear the deck.

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...8&postcount=11

That drawing is great. I’m not sure if the front of my tank is tapered underneath like that but the rear taper and the pickup, vent, and fill all seem to be correct placement. I thought that would be the procedure just wasn’t sure if I would have enough room on top to get the angle needed to get the front up and over the deck. I also didn’t realize the front may be tapered like that underneath. Thanks for this drawing. Have you ever had yours out on you 72?

[jtharmo]

All Bushwacker's and SailorChuld's work. I just recalled the post. I have not had to remove and replace a tank (yet). Get a hold of SailorChuld. He replaced his a few years back. Below is the thread I pulled the post from. Bushwacker had an intriguing idea of using duel tanks. If a forward tank is the primary, a forward cg shift can help offset a heavier motor.


http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...t=seafari+tank

[SailorChlud]

From the photos it is interesting that they had enough room to run the tubular chase for the wiring under the hatch. Hope it comes out easy!

[Xcomunic8d]

I have removed my tanks out of my 72 seafari recently. Iirc, they were made with 2-50 gallon tanks. That’s what my boat had and I’m reinstalling them as they are in good shape with no leaks. I concur you likely have an aftermarket tank there.

Just a guess but if you can get those rigging tubes (looks interesting btw and not how mine was) out of the way you may be able to shimmy that thing up and slide it out.

You can see some of my pics or I can send you some if you like. Keep up the good work!

[Sprunx]

Originally Posted by SailorChlud

From the photos it is interesting that they had enough room to run the tubular chase for the wiring under the hatch. Hope it comes out easy!

Sailor,

Thanks to your drawing I got my tank out. There was almost zero extra room but there was just enough to slide it out as planned. Of course when you undertake something like this, you find previous owners expert engineering skills. Under my tank I found a couple strips of what appeared to roofing shingles and some old caulk that looked like it was soaked in gasoline for way too long. It was a mess. The bed of fiberglass underneath tank has a crack in it lengthwise about 4 inches in from the stringer. It’s all the way through. I’m debating what to do about this. Do I just put a layer of glass on top of it? Just leave it? Cut the whole thing out? I don’t think it really supports the tank much as the tank seemed to be hanging from the mounting points. What do you guys think?

[Sprunx]

Here’s a couple pictures of my tank after I pull it out and degreased it.