Gas tanks and Decks.
I decided to replace the original 110 gal tank (for twin 2 strokes) with two 55 gallon plastic tanks. The new tanks were taller than the original with 3 sides on the bottoms which were supposed to fit snuggly against the vee shape of the bottom, but because the keel was done with a section of PVC covered with heavy glass, the tanks didn't quite fit. Also, because plastic tanks need room to expand 3-5%, I decided to make a new tank cradle. The tanks can now breath a little but are not going anywhere. I also moved the livewell from in front of tanks to the leaning post, so I wanted to move the new tanks forward. With two tanks, I should be able to adjust weight distribution a little; I don't plan to make any trips burning all 110 gallons on a merc 150 efi.
The decks were raised 1.5" which I had planned to do with 2 by cedar framing, but the weird shape of the stringer convinced me to do it by laminating 3/4 ply. I left the inside lip from the original decks. Without that, I never would have noticed that the decks have about a 1/2" crown. The decks themselves got a layer of mat and vinylester on the bottom, and 10oz cloth and epoxy on top. A second layer of 10oz cloth and epoxy went on after the decks were installed.
I almost forgot to cut gas tank inspection hatches, but the original owner of chaser saw some early pics and sorted me right now. Thanks for that! Its worth noting that the original tank support was replaced at some point. 3/4 ply with a few layers of 1708, maybe 1808, it weighed a couple hundred lbs. After sitting with water pooled in it from 2009 to 2020, there was no water in the ply: I used it for stringers in the bracket, as well as tank cradle stringers.
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