please help cracked gas tank

sanzo · #1 10-12-2004, 10:32 AM

I've a 1973 Seacraft c/c with a leaky 100 gal. fuel tank. How large of a tank can I easily install? Should the replacement be aluminum, plastic, or stainless? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Sanzo

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 10-12-2004, 12:43 PM

I have a 1977 23 CC and went with a 120 gal. aluminum tank got if from I shop in Hialeah. On mine it starts under the door in the CC and goes back to the end of the deck where the leaning post bolts down to. If I remember correctly 84” L 28” W & 12” H. = 120 gal.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

sanzo · #3 10-12-2004, 01:13 PM

Fellow-ship, thanks for your speedy reply. It sounds like your boat is set up the same as mine. Did you have to add any support under the 120 gallon tank, and what do you think I should pay for an aluminum 120 gallon tank? Thanks, Sanzo

FELLOW-SHIP · #4 10-12-2004, 02:02 PM

I rebuilt the deck that supports the gas tank with ¾ marine grad plywood laminated on both sides with glass and resin. I also put a plywood wall in front and in back of the gas tank just in case. I used this method of installing the tank.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm
All new hoses and fittings all around and grounded the tank and filling cap. If I can remember correctly it cost me approx $700 just for the tank plus plus plus for all the rest of the stuff like gas gage, hoses, filters, filling bracket, deck and what ever else you need like strips of plastic for the tank to rest on and 5 or so 5200 tubes of adhesive. My guess by the time you do it yourself you got approx $1,000 of materials in it if you do it yourself but that would include the 36 Budweiser’s to complete the job.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

ocuyler · #5 10-12-2004, 05:02 PM

Fellow-Ship,

I think with inflation and higher gas prices, we need to re-evaluate the factors of installing a new fuel cell. I guess I agree with everything you said, but the beer count may be more like 48, especially if:

You use a chainsaw to cut the tank loose (Lt. Dan)...
You have to pay to have the fuel disposed of "properly"...
You have a hard time (like I did) getting the old hoses out and worse yet, the new hoses in...
And finally, if you spill fuel in the inside of your hull and your "buddy" is sitting there smoking what looks like a cigarette...

That's a LOT of beer potential.

Capt Chuck · #6 10-12-2004, 05:20 PM

Sanzo

I yanked my 100 gal out of my '78. There is plenty of room as the factory had an option of a 150 gallon. I replaced the tank floor like Fellowship [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I then installed a 135 gal aluminum tank and still had room for a 13 gal fresh water in front up against the back wall of the deck hold

Doghouse4x4 · #7 10-12-2004, 05:30 PM

For what it's worth, I've got a 135 Gal. Stainless tank on my 87 23' CC, and I removed my baitwell and replaced it with a 20 gal freshwater tank. It works pretty good for me.

sanzo · #8 10-13-2004, 10:07 AM

FELLOW-SHIP Well I guess it's time to buy the Budweiser and take the deck apart. Thank you for the link on replacing the tank it was very informative, and thanks to all the members who have given me advise. At this point I just got to open up the deck and see what I'm working with, and yes I plan on lieing to my girlfriend about the cost involved in replacing the tank. At the rate I spend money on this boat, she'll never get a ring. Ha Ha, Sanzo

FELLOW-SHIP · #9 10-13-2004, 10:44 AM

Cheer up Sanzo
That’s what the Budweiser’s are for, they help ease the pain, Both for the Cost of repair and for the Work you will have to do. Most guys on this sight have had to drink a lot of beer and spend a lot of $$ just because they love their SesCraft boats.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

gw204 · #10 10-15-2004, 10:58 AM

Quote:

yes I plan on lieing to my girlfriend about the cost involved in replacing the tank. At the rate I spend money on this boat, she'll never get a ring.

You say that like it's a bad thing. If she never gets the ring, she never becomes the wife. If she never becomes the wife, she can't control how much you spend on the boat. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Just kidding, my wife has been very good about letting me spend $$$ on my old Grady. Repower, T-top and leaning post all in 14 months or so. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.