Anyone local have a tablesaw? Coffin recore.......

[76Red18]

I used a keyhole saw, long thin blade, kind of like a fillet knife with teeth

[JohnB]

If your removing the gas tank, I slid a board under mine, put a hole in the board, put a threaded rod through the hole, and then put the rod through a fence post that was across the gunnels, and screwed it out. It worked pretty good, and I was able to remove it by myself.
Those tabs on the gass tank are what they used to "push" the tank down into the foam and hold it in place while it cured. I don't think they are "structural" mounting pieces, since they would not hold the weight of 600+ pounds of gas.
I am using neopreme closed cell strips, 2" wide under mine strips. I am running 3 them bow to stern, so any water can run right out, and have put drain holes in the front and back bulkheads. I am using NO foam on this, as it seems the majority of the the corrosion is where wet foam touches the tank.
BTW, don't be surprised if the deck the gas tank is on is soaked with water, or weak. Most are, and if it's not tied well to the stringers, you might want to address that now. I believe that is structural to the hulls.

[alejmend]

I used a machete to slice all the foam out from between the tank and stringers. Then i attached ss cables and rope to the L tabs on the top of the tank and wiggled/lifted it out by hand.

[GradySailfish]

My tank was a bear to get out. It took a good few hours before I finally popped it loose.

I used the jack method. Here are some shots of my little "war" with the old tank.

[gofastsandman]

Hey GSF

Rode better than a 27 Grady. WOW.

Thx for the pics. Do I have to remove the console? Looks like it might slide out w/out a complete disconnect. I raised it 5" and the cover slid out no prob.
GFS

[BigLew]

GradySailfish

I would say that tank has seen "better days!" A LOT of them!

Look at it this way; you'll sleep better knowing that's behind you rather than under you!

[gofastsandman]

Yeah,
But that is not my dog.
Top of my tank looks remarkably good. We`ll see what the bottom looks like ....
GFS

[GradySailfish]

Yes in those sea conditions IT RIDES BETTER THEN MY GRADY WHITE, although in beam seas, long rolling swells, following seas the Grady White performs very well. Its only in a "in your face" short, chop the Grady will pound.

GFS. If the tank is original take it out and get a new one. On another project I had a similar situation to yours where a tank "looked good" from the top but was actuall rotten on the bottom. Get it out of there. Like Big Lew said...one wil sleep better.

As for removing the console....thats entirely up to you. If can remove the coffin cover and tank without removing the console more power to you.

[loon]

RE water wicking into polyester resin: a 19 ft lightning (sail boat) will pick up 5-10# of water-weight during a season if moored instead of dry sailed.

[gofastsandman]

Hey GSF,
I hear you and Big Lew loud n clear. Think my boat was dry stored most of its life , But I am going to pull the tank and see for myself.

Boom! is NOT the last sound I wanna hear
GFS