QUES ON INSTALLING NEW GAS TANK IN 23 SCEPTRE

[Entourage]

Just had a new gas tank made for my 23 sceptre 100 gallon aluminum , i removed the old one and found alot of wet foam around it possibly causing the tank to corrode from the sides. What do you sceptre owners out there that have done this before recommend? Do i use mahogany to brace it? Help me out please the new tank was not cheap. Thanks

[htillman]

Go here:
http://www.marinesurvey.com/yacht/fueltank.htm
This is the best procedure for installing the tank. If you find Haysite let me know, I am in process of having a tank made and am looking for this product. I would use teak or mahagony as spacers to hold the tank on the top brackets.

[SC302FB]

Call me crazy!!! I had stainless steel tanks made. Cost $1,000 but I will not have to go under the floor again. Put a SS tank in my first SeaCraft in 1974. I have been told, it is still there with no problems.

Weight and cost are the dwawbacks. Never having to worry about the tanks - UPSIDE!!!! If a SeaCraft hull is forever, why not the fuel tanks???

[JohnB]

Shields rubber and hose part no 16-14x2x10 is what your looking for. I got mine through my port supply account for 10.76 a 10' roll, used two on the tank. This is the stuff that is UL and USGG approved for this application.

Here is what I found to be problematic. These gas tanks are VERY flat, and these platform decks from the factory ARE NOT. When they were using foam to set it in, if it was off by 3/4" like mine was, no big deal. Foam took up the slack. You want the tank evenly support across the entire length of the tank, and that isn't easy to do with a 9' long tank. I used a level and straight edge, and about 8 hours of work when I put the new tank deck in to make sure it's level. I just test fitted it today, and it's within 1/8" level all the way around, the 5200 will take up that much slack.

[JohnB]

Call me crazy!!! I had stainless steel tanks made. Cost $1,000 but I will not have to go under the floor again. Put a SS tank in my first SeaCraft in 1974. I have been told, it is still there with no problems.

Weight and cost are the dwawbacks. Never having to worry about the tanks - UPSIDE!!!! If a SeaCraft hull is forever, why not the fuel tanks???

What did the tank weigh, and what size was it?

[SC302FB]

Took out the original 100 main and 40 aux. Same size, same nozzel placement, same everything.

Sorry, I did not weight them but I would say about twice the weight.

[JohnB]

123 gal alum 1/8" weighs in at about 80 pounds, stainless would probably be 160, ouch. I guess it has it's benefits and if you don't need it full all the time, it isn't a big deal. I have been doing everything possible to lighten my boat.

[htillman]

I'll weigh my tank when it is complete. It is going to be 100 gal, I have a ~35 gal tank I can install if needed. It fits the storage hatch forward of the fuel tank.
How many baffle plates are in your tank. I am thinking of having him putting 4 plates in.

[riptide]

I'm having a new fuel tank made also for my Spetre.Its going to be 3/16" alum and then coated with Coal tar epoxy.
You will never have to worry about corrosion again.

[htillman]

I have not thought about coating the tank but will look into it. I firmly believe in a well sealed hatch with no foam. I am putting a sight glass above the tank to be able to visually monitor it.