Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

[PapaBearsPaws]

I have a 21' Wellcraft Sportsman 210 which i have recently discoverd has a leak in the gas tank. I am looking for some answers as to how to go about replacing the tank without tearing up the non skid surface. The deck has places to cut that do not have the non-skid on them but they are not big enough to get the existing tank out without cutting up the tank. This also will not allow me to put the same size tank back in the boat. I am Looking for someone who has owned or worked on this type of boat and mabye had the same problem. Thanks

 

[capt sam]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

My advice would be to find a really good fiberglass/gelcoat guy and talk to him, this is a fairly common issue and a talented glassman can make it so you can't even tell the floor was torn up. Have him make his cuts, you can pull the tank and repair or replace it and then take it back to him for finishing.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

Good advice from Capt Sam. I know of no way to do this without cutting the deck. That's why they left an outline without non-skid. But for sure, replace the tank! Right now it is making your boat an explosion waiting to happen.

 

[PapaBearsPaws]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

I agree about the good advice form capt. What cofuses me is that the tank is much larger than the hole that would be cut if i followed the outline of the places that dont have non-skid. I will end up cutting up more than half the deck. All while trying to avoid the stringers. So i guess i am looking for a good fiberglass and gel coat guy around NJ. I just dont want my boat to be anyones guniea pig, if you follow me.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

those lines aren't necessarily for outlines of the tank, when they drop the cap on the hull either they made access to it or they didn't, I've pulled caps to replace tanks now I'd rather just let a glass guy form it in but let him make the cuts were he wants them.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

Don't get me started. I have been railing in the Fuel and Ventilation committee about the inadequate ABYC standard on what is meant by the following:

24.10.4 The tank(s) shall be installed so that means for maintenance or replacement are provided or indicated by the boat manufacturer.
NOTES:
1. Consideration should be given to the ease of replacement of the fuel tank.
2. Replacement methods may include, but are not limited to, removal of sections of the boat (e.g. cockpit
sole).

This says to me the manufacturer doesn't have to do anything. It used to be better. It actually said with minimal removal of boat structure. But even that doesn't mean much. Almost all boats require you to cut big holes in the boat to get at the tank.

Sorry: rant for the day over.

 

[Magsigjs]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

I have the same boat, and have just discovered the same issue. What was your final solution? Please post pics if you have any. Where did you make your cuts? Did you repair or replace your tank? How hard/easy was the replace and install? What did the final outcome look like? Please feel free to PM me or post a thread reply. Joel dot Magsig at Mac dot com
Thanks

 

[seabob4]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

I worked at WC from '94 to '00. Even when I had got there, fuel tank hatches were already eliminated. Your 210 Sportsman (the dual console model), was no exception. Interesting, those boats used Inca Poly tanks, and now there are two leakers...

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

If these are Polyethylene tanks I would be very interested to know why they are leaking. In over 25 years I have only seen a handful of PE tanks that leaked and they were all due to human error. By that I mean, accidentally punching a hole in the tank, bad gaskets on the fittings, mounting straps that were too tight, improper installation, etc. But I have never seen a PE tank that leaked just from old age, some sort of corrosive (battery acid, fuels, cleaners etc) or chafing. So when you get them out please let me know.

1. are they plastic tanks?

2. why did they leak?

3 Where was the leak?

Either post it here or e-mail me at spinners110722@yahoo.com

 

[seabob4]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

If these are Polyethylene tanks I would be very interested to know why they are leaking. In over 25 years I have only seen a handful of PE tanks that leaked and they were all due to human error. By that I mean, accidentally punching a hole in the tank, bad gaskets on the fittings, mounting straps that were too tight, improper installation, etc. But I have never seen a PE tank that leaked just from old age, some sort of corrosive (battery acid, fuels, cleaners etc) or chafing. So when you get them out please let me know.

1. are they plastic tanks?

2. why did they leak?

3 Where was the leak?

Either post it here or e-mail me at spinners110722@yahoo.com

Ditto on that! Inca and Moeller tanks are in some ways superior to Aluminum...

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Leaky Gas Tank on Wellcraft Sportsman 210

A few other questions. You did not say how you knew the tank is leaking. Fuel leaks are most often at fittings. Have you pressure tested the tank sperately? That is, isolated from the fuel lines and fill? This could be simply a lose clamp on a fill line, or a bad gasket on the tank. Unfortunately you will probably have to open up the compartment where the tank is anyway, but if it's not the tank it is a lot cheaper to replace a hose or some clamps, or a gasket than a tank. Find out where the actual leak is first before you start replacing things. A simple pressure test will tell you where the leak is. Most marine repair shops can do a pressure test on your fuel system.