Evans Head NSW to Port Albert Vic in a 49ft McLaren Timber trawler

[Troy]

Originally Posted by troy

got a job again so a bit more money to spend on my project here are some progress picturesAttachment 65557
stem post out and i have since built a new one and is sitting in placeAttachment 65558Attachment 65559
put a new transom in again wasn't happy with the other one Attachment 65560Attachment 65561Attachment 65562Attachment 65563Attachment 65564Attachment 65565Attachment 65566
and have also managed to scarf in the new deck stringer which i'm happy to see go in and also wrapped with the out come. [img][/img]

[Troy]

Originally Posted by Troy

Attachment 65567Attachment 65568Attachment 65569Attachment 65570Attachment 65571Attachment 65572

And a few slatts / ribs just sitting in place ready to be cut painted and installed over the weekend

[eagle419]

Thanks for the update pics Troy!
Great to see you're moving forward

[Insequent]

Great to see you back at it, and posting updates! She is going to be in great nick when you are done, and I hope she brings your family and friends a lot of pleasure.

Refits are a gruelling process, and I didn't go back to the bones as far as you have done. Kudos for saving her!

[Troy]

Thanks boys
Yes looking forward to the day when she splashes

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. T. You're a better man than I, Gunga Din...

[Tidahapah]

Good to see you back at it. Keep the good work going, great pleasure lies ahead.

[Troy]

Originally Posted by Tidahapah

Good to see you back at it. Keep the good work going, great pleasure lies ahead.

Thank you boys will keep the pictures coming

[Troy]

Originally Posted by RT Firefly

Greetings,
Mr. T. You're a better man than I, Gunga Din...

It wasn't meant to be this difficult

[adorochelle]

wow she would love that and will last for a long time after all the work you have done what sort of engine are you putting in her.
Adrian

[Troy]

Adorochelle
How are you mate,
Putting the Gardner 6lxct back in her have given her a freshen up be a while before it goes back in plenty to do
How is you girl going and up to date pictures?
Troy

[Troy]

[Troy]

Hi all few more updates for your viewing pleasure new stem fitted and installed made s/s knee for the deck stringer and transom frame bolted in transom frame painted started on port side deck stringer needs the same as starboard side but it’s easy now I’ve done one after that has been bolted up have to replace three side frames on the port side shouldn’t be to bad of a job and once that has been done wait for it the bloody deck beams from front of wheel house to the stern have to be replaced as where the bolt onto the deck shelf are all split out and rotten so new beams new ply and glass over ( am still toying with the idea of putting a laid deck of about 20mm think hardwood over the glassed deck ) any thoughts also whilst deck is off I’ve changed my mind with the truck tanks and was leaning towards plastic moulded tanks around the 1500 lt where do the make them and any in Victoria thanks in advance
Troy

[Troy]

Hi all few more updates for your viewing pleasure new stem fitted and installed made s/s knee for the deck stringer and transom frame bolted in transom frame painted started on port side deck stringer needs the same as starboard side but it’s easy now I’ve done one after that has been bolted up have to replace three side frames on the port side shouldn’t be to bad of a job and once that has been done wait for it the bloody deck beams from front of wheel house to the stern have to be replaced as where the bolt onto the deck shelf are all split out and rotten so new beams new ply and glass over ( am still toying with the idea of putting a laid deck of about 20mm think hardwood over the glassed deck ) any thoughts also whilst deck is off I’ve changed my mind with the truck tanks and was leaning towards plastic moulded tanks around the 1500 lt where do the make them and any in Victoria thanks in advance
Troy

[Tidahapah]

Troy, try and increase your fuel tankage, as I say you can make water but you can't make fuel. It keeps a bit of weight in her and minimises port stops.
All looking good ,
Cheers
Benn

[Troy]

Benn
You made your fuel tanks yourself out of mild steel if you had your time again would you use a different material / SS 316 or 304 or aluminum or plastic if you would still use mild steel what did you use to paint inside and out and thickness of steel and did you tap your inspection ports or weld studs I’m still way up in the air on this have no problem building them but want to do it right from the start think I should get to about 2500lts in total and was thinking of bolting a tank to the bulk head properly supported on the engine beds at the bottom and bolted to the deck beam ( your thoughts on this ) this tank will be about 450lts and main tanks should Carry bit over 1000lts each.
Regards
Troy

[Insequent]

I'm sure Benn will have good input, but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyway.

I replaced my tanks. The old ones were 5/32" steel with fairly minimal original coating, made in 1981 but they lasted 30 years. They rusted from the outside, due to poor engine room vent design that allowed rain entry. From there, it was only a matter of time...

The points to note are that steel tanks will last a very long time. Add modern coatings, install properly, and they are almost forever.

IMO avoid aluminium. Tricky to install properly to avoid poultice corrosion. Similarly, SS does not hold up well if it gets wet from time to time and has poor oxygen levels where wet eg at mounting points.

Even for steel, best is to mount on nitrile rubbers pads. If you use steel, remove scale (if required, better to use pre-primed steel to begin with) then clean and prime carefully. Use multiple coats of an epoxy paint.

I think welding in threaded sockets for tank fittings is the way to go. I had some 10" inspection ports fitted, but the kits were $200 each and I'm not sure that I would bother doing that again. I needed one for each baffled compartment, so it added up! Pic is painted tank showing inspection ports, and welded in fitting for drain, sight gauges etc. This tank has a full division, and is really two tanks - rear is day tank of 385 l capacity. I have draw points from the top - pickup tube to within a few mm of the bottom for my fuel polisher, and 10mm from bottom for engine supply. A bottom fitting, with t-piece (one outlet for engine, one for drain) would be a simple way to go.

[Tidahapah]

Brian had it pretty well covered there.
I used mild steel, all lightly grit blasted to remove scale. No coating inside, all fittings were sockets welded to tank. I coated the tanks with tar epoxy and then enamel paint as top coat. ( not looked on as the best top coat (fire risk) but 22 years down the track I have no complaints. Just ensure that all deck fittings are tight and no moisture gets onto tank tops and the tanks are ventilated all round.

[Tidahapah]

My tanks are supported at the base on main frames and supported/bolted to the deck cross beams.

[Troy]

Thank you Brian and Benn,
Well great information boys, this has helped make up my mind up will get some mild steel tanks folded up to fit shape of boat bring them home quick sand blast weld them up and paint. Glad I ask was originally going the truck tanks aluminum, then changed to stainless steel, and plastic now mild steel thank for the sound advice.
Cheers

Troy