1989 23WA Seacraft fuel tank replacemnt/maybe?

Old'sCool · #1 04-16-2009, 05:27 PM

Needed tank replacement would take inspection, pressure testing, etc. I would say welcome to the ethanol world.

gss036 · #2 04-16-2009, 10:09 PM

I have never used ethanol in the tank. We still good gas here. The only stations here with alcohol in the gas is the AM/PM markets.
I wish there was an easy way to pressure test it in the boat. I have all the gas out that will come through the fuel pick up line.

htillman · #3 04-16-2009, 11:43 PM

You can try to clean it yourself, pay someone, or remove the covers and inspect the tank and then decide your course of action, you have a 20 year old tank. I have found some tanks to be foamed in - creating the problem, some neglected and some just no good. My advice, remove the deck and give it a thorough inspection.

gss036 · #4 04-17-2009, 06:56 PM

Stopped by a shop that makes tanks for all the local boat builders. Got an estimate of about $500.00(ballpark)for a 65 gallon tank.
Should I put a larger tank back into the boat or go smaller. How would it hurt future selling price. Around here most boats this size run around 60 gallons.
Next project is going to be removing the deck plates and do a closer inspection and a look into the tank.

salvagefirst · #5 04-17-2009, 08:19 PM

RDS in fla built the original tanks in 1989,and they still have the diagrams for it. i replaced the 135 gal tank in my 89 23cc 3 years ago for 565 and shipping from Fla to eastern NC was 125. Les

gss036 · #6 04-17-2009, 10:35 PM

I got into the tank today through the fuel sender hole and managed to get the rest of the gas out. I can see about 1/2 of the tank and it looks good inside, there is some junk on the bottom, but not rust and I was able to get a towel into the hole and swab out a lot of it. I think by tomorrow it will be completely dry with the gas evaporating. I am still pondering the next step. The tank looks to be foamed in so cannot see anything but the top.

htillman · #7 04-18-2009, 01:16 AM

At a minimum, block/plug all connections - use a bicycle pump with a gage installed through a cork in one of the blocked lines and see if the tank holds pressure. If it does, then it is your risk to use. If is does not then you have no choice replace.