Hatch cover over fuel tank ????

[reelclassic]

I have started the work on my 1979 20 SF. I have the lower deck cut out and was wondering if anyone has replaced there deck without having a hatch cover over the fuel tank. It looks like if I needed to get the tank out of the boat it would not fit through that opening anyways. So was thinking I would not put that cover back on and just have a solid deck, or should I keep the hatch the way it is?

[Blue197320]

if u are replacing the floor wouldnt u want to make a new hatch that will fit how u need it to?? are u doing the forward deck as well??

[billythekid]

I am replacing the deck and I am not putting a coffin hatch in I am just going to have 2 pie plate in the deck mold for the sending unit and where the pick up tub is I am purchasing a brand new tank that is going to be etched and epxoy coated so hopefully the tank will last a long time.

[reelclassic]

I am going to do the front deck too from the top im not plannig on cutting out the entire front deck there are 2 soft spots up there.

[reelclassic]

Billy-Thats what I was thinking just a pie hole or a rectangle screw in type hatch for the pick up/sending unit ect....I think not having the coffin hatch there will result in less water intrusion through that seem!

[RalphD]

I just did the same thing in my 23 IB. The,re buried. I have saddle tanks so the hatch was so big it really screwed everything up and I didn't want the joints.

The tanks are coated and installed properly. If they go bad hopefully 10 years plus from now, I'll get out the saw. It's a major job either way so I opted for one piece.

[reelclassic]

Thats what I wanted to hear....My tank is 3 years old and looks very good it is coated with something not sure if its just paint it is a fairly think black paint????