eyschulman
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2014
- Messages
- 1,288
Buy a Pilgrim 40 the tanks and engine are where you can see them and replace easily if needed. If you intend to use the boat in protected waters you get the added bonus of a great boat.
I encourage any owner facing the expense of replacing old, leaking "black iron" fuel tanks to look into possible insurance coverage. My policy did not cover "rust, other corrosion, poor maintenance, etc." But it did cover "hidden defects at time of manufacture." For my claim, I took a picture of the spotty sealant under the deck fill plates, noted that the tanks rusted out just below two of these poorly installed fittings and bingo, full cost reimbursement less deductible.
I have just started cutting out the stbd tank (200 gls). I prefer to do it now before they do leak and my options in low cost replacement disappears. Its upwards of 18K if the yard does it. Kemah has lots of oil money and pirates...
Im a bit stumped in how everyone uses a sawall as I only have about a 1/2" clearance between the hull sides and bottom and the tanks themselves. Im hoping a small handheld circular saw with a steel blade can get it done.
I will take a properly engineered, built in fiberglass tank every time...
It is not necessarily a low cost solution.
This has been one of my biggest concerns too. So far I have learned that Hatteras, Viking, Gulfstar, Great Harbor, and possibly Hi Star are MY's or Trawlers that have fiberglass tanks.
i have an 86 SENATOR with a sng Perkins 354 thinking about replacing leaking tanks. From this forum it sounds like cutting the tnks out in parts and replacing with smaller tanks maybe the way to go. Willl the smaller tanks adversley effect the resale value?
Any other Senator owners in the Norfolk Va area have similar problems/ Open to suggestions on how to make these repairs...I have seen on utube someone "cutting the bottom out of the boat" to make the repair. Is it just me or does this sound like a stupid way to repair?
SS is approved for diesel fuel tanks if it is 316L or 317L and minimally 0.0747" thick. 304 not so good. The L stands for low carbon, meaning it can be correctly welded. Many Al tanks have corroded out due to dissimilar metals being used, similarly the same can happen to SS. Unlike standard steel, both Al and SS need good air circulation to allow the protective oxidation process to work.
i have an 86 SENATOR with a sng Perkins 354 thinking about replacing leaking tanks. From this forum it sounds like cutting the tnks out in parts and replacing with smaller tanks maybe the way to go. Willl the smaller tanks adversley effect the resale value?
Any other Senator owners in the Norfolk Va area have similar problems/ Open to suggestions on how to make these repairs...I have seen on utube someone "cutting the bottom out of the boat" to make the repair. Is it just me or does this sound like a stupid way to repair?
Nordic Tugs have Marine Grade Aluminum Tanks. View attachment 60979