Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-21-2015, 02:49 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Another steel fuel tank issue

While doing some maintenance under my cockpit this weekend, I crawled back to my single diesel fuel tank. Unfortunately, I saw 4 small spots of what appears to be rust on the back of the tank (facing astern) in the middle about 1" in diameter. I cannot tell if it is the tank itself, or a cover around the tank, as it appears almost like fiberglass. However, my suspicion is the tank at those areas is rotting away at 30 years of age.

Below the cockpit sole is a very large area, about 3.5 feet tall and 10 foot by 10 foot. The fuel tank is forward at the salon bulkhead. It measures about 8 feet across, almost 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet deep. Rearwards of this (astern) there was once a huge steel water tank, about 4.5 foot wide and 5 feet deep, towards the front of the boat. Inside this are 2 newer 45 gallon freshwater tanks.

What I am considering is draining the old tank, leaving it in place, moving the freshwater tanks forward to butt against the old fuel tank, and having a custom steel or plastic fuel tank made to fit the inside diameter of the old water tank. I will have to open the cockpit center floor to create an opening, but this would also facilitate ease of access to all tanks in the future. Then, just extend the original fuel lines to the new fuel tank.

As the old water tank was in this same space. I don't see an issue with weight distribution.

Does any one see anything I am missing?
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 03:08 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
I should note that the boat is 38 foot, 12 foot beam with a 3.5" draft, so much like a trawler and built as a sportfisher for the original buyer to his specs by GoldenStar Yachts. The only one my surveyor has ever seen or could find anywhere. Kind of glad the cockpit is so large!
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 03:25 PM   #3
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
First, I don't know if I'd do anything until I could use day a fiber optic camera to look at the potential rust spots. And even then unless they are real bad I'd still perhaps wait till they leak before going to all that trouble. Unless I could prove they were nothing more than surface rust.

If you have to replace the old tank could you cut it open, remove the baffles and slide in a new slightly smaller tank?
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 07:32 PM   #4
Guru
 
READY2GO's Avatar
 
City: Marathon, Florida
Vessel Name: Walkabout
Vessel Model: 1989 Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 521
Post some pics of what you are looking at. It does not sound like you have a real problem. A little surface rust on the outside of a tank is nothing to worry about.
__________________
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain

www.mikeandsharondunsworth.blogspot.com
READY2GO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 07:32 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
I may be jumping the gun a bit, but it seems to be a fact that these Taiwanese steel tanks do fail and at 30 years of age, about time. However, as I don't travel far, if I ran at 1/3 tank, probably ok for a while.

I could possibly try sand some of the lightly rusted spots and see what I find underneath. Where the tank is there is no water hitting the tank sides and the top is dry and dusty.

Had another thought and I will climb back down there soon. The cockpit has a large rectangular bait tank and storage box that appears to sit over a raised lip. It may also be possible to remove this box to gain access to pull the tank. I have to pull the stairs to the flybridge to do this though and then find new SS rivets to reinstall later.

There would be no other way to place a new tank into the old one, unless the bait tank removal shows an opening, or, chain a few tanks together that will fit through the current opening.
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 07:34 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
READY2GO, sorry, missed your post. Do these steel tanks tend to start to fail inside out, or outside in? Or, both? Next time I can get down there I will take and post a picture.
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 07:42 PM   #7
Guru
 
READY2GO's Avatar
 
City: Marathon, Florida
Vessel Name: Walkabout
Vessel Model: 1989 Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 521
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldenstar38 View Post
READY2GO, sorry, missed your post. Do these steel tanks tend to start to fail inside out, or outside in? Or, both? Next time I can get down there I will take and post a picture.
They usually fail from the outside in. I have read several stories where people cut up the tanks only to find out that they were not as bad as they looked from the outside but once the sawzal hits it, it is too late to turn back. My tanks have quite abit of exterior rust (38 years old) but still show no signs of leaking.
__________________
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain

www.mikeandsharondunsworth.blogspot.com
READY2GO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 07:49 PM   #8
Guru
 
gwkiwi's Avatar
 
City: Juno Beach, FL
Vessel Name: Takes Two
Vessel Model: Defever 49 RPH
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 500
Good previous comments dont bring on trouble before its due, if you get a leak deal with it, we just repaired a fiberglass tank today that had an issue and it was a 2008 model.

There are many more options today than years gone by if an issue develops such as painting the inside of the tank with a protective coating.

At least on my boat there is always more to do than borrow trouble
gwkiwi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2015, 08:20 PM   #9
Guru
 
City: Venice Louisiana
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,097
If you can see it a patch can be welded over it. But, mostly what I've seen is steel tanks rusting thru from the inside. I to think you are inventing problems. If it looks rusty its not leaking. If it looked "oily" you may have the makings of a rust pin hole. At the very worst, and replacement is neccessary, bite the bullet and do it right. Replace the tank with the same size. 5086 aluminum would be my choice but steel (properly coated) would be as good.
kulas44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 01:56 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Attached is a picture of the spots I referred to, 6 total. They are all in the top 1/2 of the tank and the size of, or smaller than, a quarter. I don't know if you can enlarge this picture, but this is not the tank itself, but rather some type of skin over it. It looks up close like a chopped mat material.

My concern now is that if this is rust between this skin and the tank, what must it look like between the 2?

There are no leaks currently, so I think I will just leave it alone and perhaps not fill the tank above 1/2. I have actually been trying to run as much fuel out as I can and replace the filters when low, before refilling.
Attached Thumbnails
20151223_125345.jpg  
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 02:40 PM   #11
Guru
 
Nomad Willy's Avatar
 
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,743
Grind the coating off and look.
Then seal it up again w something compatable w the original coating.
__________________
Eric

North Western Washington State USA
Nomad Willy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 05:13 PM   #12
Guru
 
City: Venice Louisiana
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,097
Chop strand mat on a steel tank is a very bad omen.
kulas44 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 05:49 PM   #13
Guru
 
Nomad Willy's Avatar
 
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,743
Klas44,
Sounds nuts but I have a beautiful picture of a big blue boat that is steel but sheathed in FG. Don't know if it was using polyester or something else but it sure looks good and the owner says no problems.

I for one wouldn't think that the plastic would adhere. Related to that is that it would be unlikely that expansion would be the same for both materials. Think cold hull at night and then bright sun on the hull in the am would bring heavy sheer loads between the two materials.

But it worked for this guy.
Attached Thumbnails
DSCF0999 copy 3.jpg  
__________________
Eric

North Western Washington State USA
Nomad Willy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 07:02 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Not sure why the mat sheet in front of the tank, other than cosmetic? There is nothing in that area of the hull subject to water splash or impact and the tank is raised. I may cut a bit of it off around one area and see what it looks like. Really afraid of what I will find though. Keep you posted.
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 07:29 PM   #15
TF Site Team
 
City: Ex-Brisbane, (Australia), now Bribie Island, Qld
Vessel Name: Now boatless - sold 6/2018
Vessel Model: Had a Clipper (CHB) 34
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldenstar38 View Post
.

Below the cockpit sole is a very large area, about 3.5 feet tall and 10 foot by 10 foot. The fuel tank is forward at the salon bulkhead. It measures about 8 feet across, almost 3 feet tall and 1.5 feet deep. Rearwards of this (astern) there was once a huge steel water tank, about 4.5 foot wide and 5 feet deep, towards the front of the boat. Inside this are 2 newer 45 gallon freshwater tanks.

Does any one see anything I am missing?
I'm still just trying to get may head around how exactly these tanks are placed, and where..? You start off saying the fuel tanks is up against the for'd bulkhead in the lazaret, then aft of that an old water tank, then throw in a spanner by saying this is towards the front of the boat. How could it be if the fuel tank is for'd of that, then you totally confuse the issue by saying there are two smaller newer water tanks inside that.

Is the old water tank still there, if so are the newer smaller tanks fitted inside that, or in between that and the old fuel tank, or somewhere else, and where is that somewhere else that does not defy the laws of physics. Are they inside the engine room for'd of the lazaret bulkhead, because as described you have three lots of tanks all occupying the same space.

However, whatever the arrangement, I would suggest going with the others who have recommended a cheap quick repair of the rusted areas first, maybe as simple as some epoxy type quick-setting goo. Those look pretty unimpressive rust spots to me.
__________________
Pete
Peter B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 07:46 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
Peter B, Sorry, I know what I am seeing and perhaps it did not translate properly in my text and in rereading, I can see why your confusion. The fuel tank (1-singular) is not in the engine room, but on the other side of the bulkhead under the rear cockpit up against the bulkhead. The 2 plastic water tanks were placed inside the base of the old steel water tank which was cut out long ago. The water tank is astern of the fuel tank. I hope this helps.

No, they do not look bad, but the stories about steel tanks in Taiwanese boats got me initially quite nervous and fearful of the time and expense to replace. I have since calmed down now and not so stressed. I will continue to enjoy my boat and deal with whatever this issue is as necessary. When time permits, I will remove a small piece of the mat shell and let you know how it looks.
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 09:10 PM   #17
TF Site Team
 
City: Ex-Brisbane, (Australia), now Bribie Island, Qld
Vessel Name: Now boatless - sold 6/2018
Vessel Model: Had a Clipper (CHB) 34
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldenstar38 View Post
Peter B, Sorry, I know what I am seeing and perhaps it did not translate properly in my text and in rereading, I can see why your confusion. The fuel tank (1-singular) is not in the engine room, but on the other side of the bulkhead under the rear cockpit up against the bulkhead. The 2 plastic water tanks were placed inside the base of the old steel water tank which was cut out long ago. The water tank is astern of the fuel tank. I hope this helps.
Thanks for clarifying that, I thought that's what you were saying, until you got to..."Rearwards of this (astern) there was once a huge steel water tank, about 4.5 foot wide and 5 feet deep, towards the front of the boat", that threw me a bit. All good now, and best of luck. I does sound like your tanks are not too bad at all for their age.
__________________
Pete
Peter B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2015, 10:55 PM   #18
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldenstar38 View Post

No, they do not look bad, but the stories about steel tanks in Taiwanese boats
Don't respond to stories. You may have a problem one day, but you don't appear to have a major, unmanageable issue today.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2015, 01:52 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
City: marina del rey
Vessel Model: Goldenstar sportfisher
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 177
I'm going back down there this weekend and spend a little more time checking into cutting off a small piece of the mat tank cover and see what I find. Guess I may have over reacted prematurely.

Good news today though, was I fixed my hydraulic steering. Since I purchased the boat 2 years ago, there was an issue with the flybridge helm wheel (no lower station), it would lightly "click" and "bind" but not to where it would not turn, just annoying. Turns out the box in the rear of the cockpit (storage?) that drops into a cutout in the cockpit was ever so slightly hitting a hydraulic hose. I never suspected that it was enough to cause this, but turns out it was. I went to the flybridge taking a break and turned the wheel for no particular reason and to my surprise, it was smooth as glass! Reset the storage box and bind/click again. Repositioned the hose and Fixed! Always feels good, no matter how simple!
Goldenstar38 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2015, 01:36 PM   #20
Guru
 
BandB's Avatar
 
City: Fort Lauderdale. Florida, USA
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 21,449
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goldenstar38 View Post
I'm going back down there this weekend and spend a little more time checking into cutting off a small piece of the mat tank cover and see what I find. Guess I may have over reacted prematurely.

!
You have photos. Take more in six months. Compare. If you feel meanwhile you must do something, don't start cutting things off or doing anything destructive, just put a layer of something over and then follow it by sight.
BandB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012