deck question / gas tank

[jaxflg8r]

Just purchased 1995 Caravelle 19'. Before I bought the boat, walked around on the floor and did not feel any problems. Boat was well maintained.

After I bought, dug a little deeper. The deck over the fuel tank has been cut out. Looks like they were working on the fuel tank. When they re-laid the deck, they did not glass/epoxy in the patch. They used a clear silicone/clear caulk. Now, at the rear, next to the motor the plywood is starting to break down.

I pulled out the deck that was breaking down. I am going to replace and fix the problem. There was an access over the gas tank sending unit which I will replicate. Typically there is no 'access' hatch over the entire fuel tank, correct? Shouldn't I go ahead and glass everything?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: deck question / gas tank

Jax, I like to have the ability to remove the fuel tank in my boat. My SeaRay had carpeting, so it was easy to make a 1/2" plywood cover for the fuel tank, and glass the balance of the floor. This was how the OEM did it. Now the floor was covered with the carpet, and the cover was carpeted and screwed down over the fuel tank.

My SeaSwirl has the non-slip fiberglass deck. It too has an OEM cover over the fuel tank, which unscrews.

 

[gcboat]

Re: deck question / gas tank

I would definately leave an access to the sending unit. You can buy an inspection port for about $25.00. Sometimes those units go bad at the blink of an eye. My $.02

 

[Bondo]

Re: deck question / gas tank

Ayuh,.....

Alot of the better hulls are built with a removable panel over the fuel tank,...
They just screw it down,+ carpet over it...
And,.....
Many of them are chalked up by owners thinking they're fixing a problem that isn't......
Everything should drain to the bilge pump,....
Whether across the deck, or along the bilge....

 

[Coors]

Re: deck question / gas tank

Install a full access panel; my Four Winns came with one, and having access on a used boat is helpful, as you replace senders, anti-siphon, hoses, etc.
It's nice to pull the deck, and see what action is going on down there, with skiers dripping water, rain water ,etc.

 

[jaxflg8r]

Re: deck question / gas tank

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will be following the wise advice given here and making the tank access. I agree that the ability to look underneath can and will be beneficial in the long haul. Thanks again.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: deck question / gas tank

it sure will, welcome to iboats, nice to have another No Fla member. there are quiet a few from Jacksonville, and surrounding area.

 

[Lou C]

Re: deck question / gas tank

Same here, my boat had the full access panel so you could remove the tank without cutting the floor so I duplicated that, and made the framing around it stronger than what was there.