We need more info on the specific make/model boat you have. If they are rusty, then yes, it's probably time to have them check out and replaced. If the rust is on the outside, and the inside looks good, they can be cleaned up and painted. Provided there are no leaks.I have a 40 trawler that has steel tanks and I am considering changing them out . They do not leak but look rusty. Does anyone have any thought on the subject . Oh it is twin engines
You're welcome. You doing well here. A lot of good recommendations for your tank situation. Knowing your boat model could help with more specific answers. If you're not using your boat's maximum fuel range, no reason not to hold back on some capacity to make the tank install easier.Thanks for the response . This is my first post on TF I don't know if I am responding correctly
What was the issue with your tank? Looks like a pretty nifty design but may have flaws I don't see right off.I am in process and have ordered a new custom aluminum tank. The original tank was integral to the hull, all but the top which was steel. I have the steel top off.
What was the issue with your tank? Looks like a pretty nifty design but may have flaws I don't see right off.
How dirty was the tank when you opened it up Fritz?.....
What you see in the photo is what it looked like when opened. When I first got the boat a few years ago it had a bad algea problem. I jury rigged a temporary polishing system and cleaned it up pretty good. The inside looks dirty now but what is there is pretty well stuck on. I do plan to hit it with a pressure washer before installing the new tank, we'll see how much it cleans up.
One thing about this installation before and after the new tank is the easy access to the tank's lowest point through the 2.5" fill right on the floor of the wheelhouse.
I completely understand that. I would have done the same thing. I really dig those Allweather boats. I looked for one around '07-'08 and couldn't find one with a trailer to bring to the ASE.The tank leaked slightly when it was full or close to full and the boat was rolling/pitching. The fuel leaked from under the top around the perimeter. The steel top was laid on the stringers and then fiberglassed around the top edge to the surrounding fiberglass. There was no sealant or gasket between the top and the stringers underneath. The top was rusting at the interface of the fiberglass and steel thus breaking the bond. The tank held 112 gallons and I only burn 1/2 gallon/hr and it has not been a problem to keep only 20-40 gallons of fuel in the tank and like that it didn't leak. The new tank will be 76 gallons and will hang from the stringers. Like the old tank the new tank top forms the floor of the saloon.
I have a 40 trawler that has steel tanks and I am considering changing them out . They do not leak but look rusty. Does anyone have any thought on the subject . Oh it is twin engines
I am also going to reduce cap. a little just to make access easy between the tank and the engine. I am going use marine alum.
The previous owner of my boat broke out the old cast iron tanks and replaced with aluminum tanks that fit through the main cabin door so replacing them if required, will be quite simple.
Hi: here is the short answer to a very expensive project: Our 35 ft boat has twin engines that could not be moved to gain any amount of extra space. Up here in eastern Canada we do not have the qualified boat yards to tackle this job so had it done in Upper New York State. Had a new (only one) stainless steel tank made in Canada due to lower cost. Built by a company that makes them for the trucking industry.
The US boat yard cut a huge hole in the hull and dropped the old tank out the bottom. Gave me a chance to see a side of the diesel i had never seen before. Cleaned and repainted everything.
New tank installed and boat resealed better than new. Cost $10,000 US$.
Next time i will cut out the old tank and replace with 2-3 tanks joined together. Less painful me thinks.
Barrie
We replaced both port and starboard iron fuel tanks on Sanderling in 2015. Had a well-respected yard do the work and in the process reworked a lot of the engine room. Had a single so just put the engine in the saloon. In 2005 we had the tanks on a smaller trawler with twins replaced and the engines sat outside the boat on engine stands during the work
You can read about our replacement at out web site:
Replacing Fuel Tanks - MVSanderling.netMVSanderling.net
Sanderling is for sale!
Sounds brutal Barrie! I’ve heard of holes being cut in the topsides, between the waterline and gunwhale, to remove side mounted tanks, but going down through the bottom sounds extreme.
Going thru the bottom is not so unusual and in fact that's my plan when the time comes (not too far away I suspect ). Much faster and therefore much cheaper for both removing the old intact (making templates unnecessary....just send old to the fabricator as is) and installing new. New tank kept out of way in engine room while 'glass guys follow a naval architect's laminating schedule to maintain hull integrity when making good. Having a walk in engine room helps. I'll go plastic rather than steel or aluminium.