Fuel Tank '86 20' sport fisher

[Mason8120]

New to Classicseacraft forum and SeaCraft boat. Just finished up mini season and new boat to me ran perfect other than some waterin fuel. The last day in Cudjoe Key I had fuel in the bildge, at this time I knew the problem was worst than water in tank. We returned home and upon cleaning and washing of the boat it smelled of fuel worst then it had before. It was dripping from drain plug in transom.

So my thoughts are to customize the boat while I replace tank. I have removed the CC and found the tank to be corroded on the bottom to the point that I can stick my finger through the bottom. Now that it has been removed and measured I believe it to be a 70 gallon tank, with the weight location problems these boats have I'm thinking of going to a 50 gallon tank and keeping it as far forward as possible.

Next is to eliminate the console and install a coffin box with a mini tower that would also shift weight more and leave a large rear deck for fishing. All control and batteries to be placed in coffin leaving a super clean cockpit and a fishing machine.

The final and largest ticket price is to add an Armstrong bracket to boat. At about $2,600 and another $800+/- to close the transom this should bring the back up and 1.5" and allow the scuppers to work better. I love the look of these 20 footer with brackets. Cleaner longer and have to handle ever better.

Any thoughts?

[DonV]

You are lucky, fuel in the bilge and electronic gizmos like bilge pumps, wiring, etc. equals a potential disaster! Had the same problem in my brother's boat three years ago in the Keys. About the second day we smelled fuel in the morning and as we got in the boat the bilge turned on and pumped out a lot of fuel, nice way to start your morning. As it turned out the leak, the biggest leak anyway, was about 1/3 of the way down the side of the 150 gal center tank. We went and bought a electric fuel pump and pumped all the gas we could into the side tanks. The smell and leaking fuel went away, however it was a smooth $5,000 to replace the tank, ouch!

[natecert]

Ouch! Been there only different. Current sled has 50 gal SS tank and the sending unit gasket failed. Scared the hell out of me.

Also new here. So I am not one to be helpful in your mods. Bunch of great people here.

Best of luck,
ED

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Mason8120

New to Classicseacraft forum and SeaCraft boat. . . Any thoughts?

Welcome Aboard! Whatever you do, DON'T foam in the new tank! Although aluminum itself is relatively corrosion resistant, foam holds water against the tank and sets up crevice corrosion that can eat through it relatively quickly. They did not foam in the tanks on the early SeaCrafts, so I'm still running the original 44 year old tank as a result! (Although I have removed it a couple times to check it, painted it with epoxy and attached some plastic strips on the bottom to keep it up off the flat surface.) Check this website for more info on how to install a fuel tank, and a whole bunch of other usefull info!