Fuel Tank Support

[strick]

As part of the restoration process of my 23cc I removed the fuel tank for inspection. Here is what I've found.



The support structure for the tank consisted if 1/2 inch plywood with two layers of woven roving on top. The bottom of the plywood (facing the bilge) was bare wood. When I stood on the structure it felt solid except for the ends were the rot had really taken effect. Part of the reason it felt solid was because of the keel it rests on. Notice from the pics that decay is not just limited to the ends of the wood. The wood shims that kept the tank sliding from side to side were rotton as well. They were screwed into the stringers. The fuel tank itself looked good on the top and sides however the bottom had severe pitting were it rested on the moist wood. This week I will be getting a new fuel tank built as well as rebuilding the support structure for the tank. Here is area all cleaned up .


I apologize for taking off all the pics I put in earlier posts as I'm re-doing them into web galleries and I accidently deleted the folder they were in. Here is the link for two of the folders I have up right now. John R if you want to put some on "the boat Zone" you are welcome to what ever you need.

Strick
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/Hardtop/
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/TransomCap/

[John R]

Strick - seeing that you already have your own stuff, no need for me to put them up in TBZ. However, before, I was downloading what you were posting into my "OtherProjectsInspiration" folder on my hard drive. So, if you're missing any of your other pics, let me know - I probably have them [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ...

[Capt Chuck]

Strick

When I pulled my 100 gal fuel tank in '95 only the rear corners of the support floor was rotted. Mine WAS glassed on both sides however. The shimms were ok also. I then Installed a new 135 gal tank which gives added weight up forward and improved the ride. I also installed a 15 gal fresh water infront of the gas tank up against the forward hold with an access hatch in the aft wall of the hold. Something for you to think about.

I made the new floor out of marine ply and glassed and gel-coated both sides. I made new shimms out of teak and screwed them between the (6) 90 degree angle supports off the tank and the stringers.

[kglynn]

Strick,

Just curious what year is your seacraft, I am in the process of stripping a 1985 down, and shortly going to inspect my tank, I have yet to look to see if my support is glassed on both sides

thanks,
KBG

[ocuyler]

KGB,

Strick has done this the real right way. Just figure on removing everything like he did and installing a new tank. I went through this this spring and removing more is better. There's no cutting corners on that job.

The only thing I would do different is have 2 tanks built instead on one 135 gallon. It would be easier to manage weight distribution.

Have fun!

[Scott]

Strick....I can relate

What a mess under the deck ..... 27 years of slime !!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]






But I didn’t have the fuel deck supported by the centerline stringer....Even though the deck was real rotten ...it didn't need that support apparently ....but I cant see that it would hurt I do think the brunt of the weight is loaded on the edges attached to the stringers/hull bottom where the deck is tabbed in.

Otto ... How would you do it different ??? One forward one back ??