72 23' SF fuel tank question

Jason251 · #1 11-28-2009, 08:32 PM

I have two 60 gallon fuel tanks that were installed in 1982. I removed them for inspection and to get them out of the way as part of my rebuild. I was wondering what you Guys think of the duel tank setup and if you think I should reuse them. It would be nice to save the $$$ if I can and they seem to be in good condition. [image]http://

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77SceptreOB · #2 11-28-2009, 08:37 PM

Good condition???? If you say so. I replaced my tank that was in poor condition. A big time kaboom - gas explosion vs. the safety of me and my family. Bought a NEW tank and haven't looked back.

Bushwacker · #3 11-28-2009, 11:22 PM

I'd pressure test 'em to make sure they don't leak before putting them back in. Looks like they were foamed in, which is a BAD idea. Moesly and Potter NEVER foamed in the fuel tank because foam helps to hold moisture against the tank, greatly accelerating corrosion!

Dual tanks are a good idea for a couple of reasons: 1. With the E-10 gas, you need to keep the tank full if you don't use boat a lot to prevent condensation and phase separation. Much easier to leave one tank empty and keep the other smaller tank full. 2. Allows better control of weight distribution and boat balance, especially on CC's which are sometimes stern heavy.

77SceptreOB · #4 11-28-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Moesly and Potter NEVER foamed in the fuel tank because foam helps to hold moisture against the tank, greatly accelerating corrosion!

Correction: Potter certainly DID foam in the gas tanks. And yes you are correct, that was a BAD IDEA. See my original tank from a 1977 Sceptre (Potter years), the corrotion was the worst in the "foamed in" areas.

In the above close up, after peeling back the foam carefully, I found a hole about the size of a quarter in the tank. Note the cricket near the hole, that give it a little sizing perpective. The only hint I had a problem was a small scent of gas fumes in the bilge. Not over powering, but just a slight smell. Glad I inspected the problem a little further. Bought a new tank as written above.

Bushwacker · #5 11-28-2009, 11:54 PM

Obviously I should have just said MOESLY never foamed in the tanks! That's interesting, because in Potter's brochure for the 72 Seafari, he brags about how SeaCraft never foams in the gas tank! My original '72 tank was not foamed in, but evidently that was a carry over from the Moesly days that he eventually forgot about!

77SceptreOB · #6 11-29-2009, 12:07 AM

Yes, I've read the same comments about Potter "not foaming in the tanks" and believed it to be true.....Until I had problems. I guess in the later years he got slack and apparently wanted more "floatation" also. We bought our SeaCraft "New" in April of 1977, so I KNOW that it was foamed in from the factory. Oh well, even foamed in, it lasted 32 years!! LOL!

gss036 · #7 11-29-2009, 12:38 AM

It is interesting that the corrosion was under the foam. In my 1989 23WA, it occurred at the rear of the tank and nothing was even touching the tank and I was getting a gas odor but didn't discover the problem until I had lifted up my hand and it smelled like gas. The gas had saturated the foam near the rear of the tank. I had them re foam the new tank in place, if it lasts 20 years like the old one I will be 87 years old and probably not boating even if I should be lucky enough to live that long.

Jason251 · #8 11-29-2009, 08:50 AM

Thanks for the comments, I'm going to clean off the rest of the foam and see what I find. So far I think the ?? coating they put on the tanks have saved them. I like the idea of twin tanks a lot of my fishing is short runs and the smaller tank will mean less problems with fuel, just alternate between fill up. 77SceptreoB did that tank have a coating on it?

77SceptreOB · #9 11-29-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

77SceptreoB did that tank have a coating on it?

No, neither the original alum nor the new alum tank had any coatings, just alum.

Islandtrader · #10 11-29-2009, 11:14 AM

After cleaning them up look real close for deep pitting. Then take a ice pick in the deep spots and see if it will poke thru. If not then follow Dennys suggestion and get a pressure test.

If there are not a lot of pits, a Aluminum welder would be able to spot weld some of the deeper pits. However this is an economy of scale. So approach it with openness and don't make a foolish decision based on what it is going to cost you...because it may cost you something you can't buy back.