how NOT to install a fuel tank
 

take a look at these pictures - this is a potter built 23,in my shop for some work...the deck hatches are rotted,deck's rotted - and a few other things are goin' on too...

this tank has been replaced previous - sprayed in a zinc chromate primer - note the areas of corrosion - these are in the bottom portion of the tank - almost through the tank.this tank was gonna develop a leak in a short amount of time.also note the vent hose - pieced - it was leaking - note the clamps used...note the fuel level sending unit - notice the screws are different ? that was also leaking...note the fact,no dedicated ground to the tank,as well as a lead for the static ground for the deck fill - that was lying on the tank - never connected...note the screws pulling out and missing - wanna guess where the missing screws were ? this tank was just sitting on fiberglass - absolutley no abrasion protection...


anybody see anything else wrong ?

the pictures - these do not show the depth of those pits

pitting like this is trouble ! attempting to repair this is asking for trouble...

tanks - aluminum tanks - should be chemically etch primed and coated in a waterproof coating,to the proper thickness - i use interprotect 2000e - this is a waterproof barrier,it seperates the aluminum tank surface from water - this is a good,reliable coating method - done in the correct manner,the tank will last indefinatley...



if your fuel system is in the 10yr range,i highly reccomend you pull that tank and inspect it !

That's a beaut! The plywood shims look as old as the boat. Is that a household copper 90?

Are they marine grade copper elbos? And probably soldered joints under
 

the rubber vent hose? I know you will make it all good jim. Aluminum and salt water are almost as compatible as plywood and balsa with wet conditions. Boats do not get wet do they?

Eeeeesh... My tank is 33 years old. Took it out last year and it looked great yet ;) ;) (freshwater) ;) ;)

that is ugly did that boat sink and sit on the bottom for awhile???

This is a 20 potter getting a 74 gal tank new,
 

This is the way I have been doing them.
That is not rubber on the bottom. It is neoprene. they claim rubber has carbon in it and causes galvanic corrosion.
http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/...P1010042-2.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/...P1010043-2.jpg

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/...s/P1010044.jpg