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12-05-2019, 12:57 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Jefferson 42 Black Iron Fuel Tanks
I'm looking at a 1987 Jefferson 42 and have spent the last coupe of days going over ll of her systems. Today I looked at the engines, genset and fuel tanks as best as I could. There was only a small opening in the wall insulation where the fule lines came out and I ran a borescope over the top of the tanks. One tank had a considerable amount of rust that was curling up on top. Couldnt see the sides. Other tank top looked fairly good. No leaks or diesel small. There was a nameplate that indicated the tanks are each 210 gallons and material is black iron 3mm. Can anyone give me a ballpark figure to replace them if done by a yard? I want to adjust my offer accordingly. I appreciate any advice and comments
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12-05-2019, 01:35 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Mississippi
Vessel Name: ADAGIO
Vessel Model: CHB Present 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 919
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Don't be so quick to condemn the steel tanks. They last many decades in work boats, and in trawlers if kept dry.
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12-05-2019, 02:36 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Seattle
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,305
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Agree. Check the access to them. If you unbolt them can you slide them out far enough to reach all 6 side? Some power wire brushing followed by proper coatings night revitalize them.
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12-05-2019, 02:53 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,129
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I have a 1987 41’ President that has 3 mm iron tanks. 210 gallons each. I was going to replace one of them this winter just because they are 32 years old. Unfortunately my back is not cooperating and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I have twin SP225s so I have pulled one engine to get to the tank before I finally realized I can’t do the work due to my back. It was fairly easy getting the engine out after I made a crane to lift the engine. It was going to cost about $2600 for an aluminum 1/4” 5052 alloy tank with shipping to Michigan. I would guess that if I were to have it done it would cost around $10K. Good luck.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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12-05-2019, 06:01 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Not bad mouthing them. Just trying to understand my potential risk before spending a substantial amount of money. These tanks are hard to examine because they are behind the bulkhead insulation. Comodave gave me a good feel for potential cost and I will get a surveyor to look at them as well. Thanks for everyone's response.
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12-05-2019, 06:11 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,129
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I was going to replace mine just because they are old, not because I have any indication of leaking or even potential leaking. However my back isn’t cooperating so I will just clean up the area since I have the engine out. I will replace anything that looks questionable. I also was able to get in and replace the head in the aft cabin with the engine out I could climb back and run new hoses and wiring for the new head. Next winter I will do the same with the starboard engine because I like the way the port side is looking. Good luck with the possible purchase of your new boat, hope it works out the way you want it to.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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12-05-2019, 06:20 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
City: Out and About
Vessel Model: Sold-GB 52 Europa, Queenship 59, Tolly 45
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 484
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If you have rust on top of the tank, the sealant around the fuel inlet has deteriorated. Water runs down the filler hose and pools on top of tank. At a minimum, you'll need to re-bed the fuel filler.
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12-05-2019, 07:27 PM
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#8
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Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
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Answering your original question from post #1, the cost to replace them by a yard should be within the range of $12,000 to $20,000. Don’t ask me how I know!
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
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12-05-2019, 08:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Thanks Ray. I won't ask....
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12-05-2019, 08:03 PM
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#10
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Guru
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,021
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My steel tanks are from 1942. I use a algae-x magnet the fuel flows thru before the primaries. The magnet catches all the rust. I clean it once a year. But primary filters will catch any rust. I don't know if the magnet does it's designed purpose.
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12-05-2019, 08:31 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Seattle
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggitoni
the cost to replace them by a yard should be within the range of $12,000 to $20,000.
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Wow that’s yacht yards for ya!
How about just go to a welding shop with a set of plans and be out the door for less than a grand. Replace them yourself.
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12-05-2019, 08:33 PM
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,129
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I would not have an uncertified fuel tank in my boat. Your insurance would probably not cover any loss due to the tank. They have to be pressure tested and built to specs in order to be certified.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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12-05-2019, 09:31 PM
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#13
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Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
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Quote:
Originally Posted by makobuilders
Wow that’s yacht yards for ya!
How about just go to a welding shop with a set of plans and be out the door for less than a grand. Replace them yourself.
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The replacement of my old tanks was the smallest cost increment of the total job. Labor, removal of old tanks, moving other engine room stuff around, etc. was very time consuming...ie costly. If I were to attempt the job myself, I’d still be working at it! That’s not why I got into pleasure boating.
Also, the OP’s question was the cost of professionals completing the job so he can ask the seller for a proper reduction in asking price.
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
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12-05-2019, 09:39 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Oconto, WI
Vessel Name: Best Alternative
Vessel Model: 36 Albin Aft Cabin
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,145
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WE seem to spend an awful lot of time here on T.F. talking about tanks. Steel, glass, stainless, water, fuel and used food.
I think I can pretty well sum it up.
1) Steel generally fail at around 30 years.
2) cost of replacement will be between $10,000 and $20,000 depending on if you have a single engine or twins and how dirty you want to get.
3) Many owners opt to cut up the steel and replace with several smaller plastic or aluminum tanks, generally at a substantial savings but the loss of a few gallons of capacity.
4) Steel tanks fail from the inside from internal water or from the outside from dripping water or sitting on wet beds.
5) Some owners have tried patching, fixing and other band aid ideas. The consenses seems to be to do it right the first time.
pete
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12-06-2019, 05:27 AM
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#15
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Guru
City: Narragansett Bay
Vessel Model: Grand Banks 36 Classic #715
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lepke
My steel tanks are from 1942. I use a algae-x magnet the fuel flows thru before the primaries. The magnet catches all the rust. I clean it once a year. But primary filters will catch any rust. I don't know if the magnet does it's designed purpose.
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Sorry for thread drift here.
Lepke help me with this algae- x thing. I have one on my boat. (Came with the boat) I never serviced it. I checked them on line and they are expensive for sure. I cannot seem to find any maintenance instructions. If in fact they really do work their must be crud inside the algae x unit that needs to be removed. Do you just remove the cover?
Sounds like snake oil to me but I will listen
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12-08-2019, 05:39 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Seattle
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,305
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Comodave
I would not have an uncertified fuel tank in my boat. Your insurance would probably not cover any loss due to the tank. They have to be pressure tested and built to specs in order to be certified.
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Nothing magical about a fuel tank. Pressure test it to 3psi. Depends on how handy the OP is.
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12-08-2019, 09:15 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Saint Petersburg
Vessel Name: Weebles
Vessel Model: 1970 Willard 36 Trawler
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 7,166
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I am having two 200-gallon tanks with four 100-gallom tanks. Fiberglass. With fittings, engine removal, and installation, around $8k in Mexico. Aluminum would have been a. Additional $1500 due to low labor costs for fiberglass and high material costs for aluminum. Estimate of $15k for both tanks feels about right in US.
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12-08-2019, 10:12 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
City: Tall Timbers Maryland
Vessel Name: Devil Dog
Vessel Model: 1987 Jefferson 42 Sundeck
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 213
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Thanks. Wish I was able to take advantage of those Mexican prices but I'm on the east coast! The $15K number is in the range I've been hearing from folks who have responded here. Did you avoid removing the engines by going with the four fiberglass tanks?
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12-08-2019, 10:28 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: Port Townsend Washington
Vessel Name: " OTTER "
Vessel Model: Ocean Alexander Europa 40
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,378
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Comodave
I would not have an uncertified fuel tank in my boat. Your insurance would probably not cover any loss due to the tank. They have to be pressure tested and built to specs in order to be certified.
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Your assuming that tanks made in the Far East are all certified?
HOLLYWOOD
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12-08-2019, 11:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
City: Kenosha, WI
Vessel Name: Tortuga
Vessel Model: Hershine 37
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hollywood8118
Your assuming that tanks made in the Far East are all certified?
HOLLYWOOD
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40 years ago ABYC standards were different. Most original equipment seems to pass a survey. Once you upgrade insurance companies like to avoid paying claims for non ABYC repairs. Of course if all goes well you won’t have to make a claim. I did the work on my tank replacement but had the tanks made at a certified shop. $3500 plus my labor.
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