Fuel tank compartment

[eggsuckindog]

does it have a drain in the bottom to the bilge, like if I wash off the top of the tank will it drain OK and not have the tank sitting water??

[FELLOW-SHIP]

On my 1976 23 original tank, it had two or four (cant remember now) 90 degree elbows brackets on the top port and starboard sides of the tank that screwed into the stringers plus the tank was covered on port and starboard with foam. There were no walls on the bow or stern of the gas tank deck so all water that was not trapped by the foam could drain. The problem is the foam over time becomes more like a sponge and soaks up any water holding it against the aluminum tank walls. My old tank had lots of pitting on both sides and the bottom of the tank where it sat directly on the plywood deck. My new tank had no foam and ribs on the tank deck to elevate it approx ¼ to 3/8 above the deck. Plus a few holes to permit air circulation. The tank compartment also has cut out on the stringers to permit air to penetrate the tank compartment which also helps.



FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[CaptMick]

My 1985 18' SF does not have a drain to the bilge.

[Greno]

my 1979 18 doesn't have drains. I used a small 1/8 tube and a shop vac. It took a while to empty the coffin with the tank in it.

[eggsuckindog]

I washed it some as it had crud all over it and the water went down around the foam somewhere. This is a newer tank and the foam is probably fine, they may have put some in when the tank went in but hard to figure how to check it. I'll maybe slide an 1/8 tube down there to check, good idea.

[Tashmoo2]

My 1985 18 ft has a 1" hole in each aft corner of the tank coffin. My tank was enclosed in foam inside the coffin

[Callipygian]

Were the original tanks foamed in over the top as well?

[CaptMick]

My foam was on the sides only. It was also foamed around the fill hose from 4 inches below the cap to the front of the forward wall of the compartment. What a pain to get the hose out. But the tank itself was very easy.

[Callipygian]

What is the best way to determine if you have an original tank from the 70's?

[eggsuckindog]

they all have a sticker on top somewhere under the crud LOL - size - date of manu