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/