questions questions and more questions

[hrzracr23]

first heres a few pics of my gas tank and where it is kept........

my first question is would there be any negatives to getting a tank that was bigger maybe take up that whole space just leave enough room for the battery n what not.

2nd after pulling up the floor I didnt see any foam that I have read so much about. Should I put foam or empty plastic bottles or something in there before I lay the new floor?

ok and finnally im going to use epoxy to coat the floor before I lay it down what is a good/cheap epoxy that I can just roll on? or do you have to use hardeners for all kinds?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: questions questions and more questions

is it possible to get better pics, what boat.

 

[andy6374]

Re: questions questions and more questions

If the tank is in good condition, roll on 2-3 coats of coal tar epoxy. This will keep the aluminum from corroding for a LONG time. No one on this website is fond of foam, mainly because it is a PITA to dig out when you have to. But I prefer foam over soda bottles, closed-cell foam is 95%+ water resistant (ie. won't absorb water), and also adds a structural component to the boat as well. Plus that tank won't move once it is foamed in.

It's not the foam's fault either if it gets wet. Hatches that cover the tank shouldn't be sealed with silicone, silicone is crap and won't last much longer than 1 year. This is how water starts to get in.

When I rebed hatches first I lay around the lip of the hatch 300lb mono fishing line, then a bed of 3m 101, put the hatch down and lightly screw it down. If you torque all the way it will just squeeze out all the bedding. Screw don't lightly let the bedding cure and now it will act as a gasket. Then fully tighten screws and put a final thin bead of 3m 4200. This sucker ain't gonna leak. And even at that I would rebed in ~5 years and all you have to do is pull up on the mono line and the hatch is easily removed.

All deck and washboard fittings/hardware need proper bedding at proper intervals. Then water intrusion shouldn't be a problem. I not going to say you can make below deck 100% bullet proof from water getting in, but you can certainly keep to a real minimum if you are dilgent in your maintenance.

I'll stop ranting here. I just want to see your tank last. Good luck

 

[hrzracr23]

Re: questions questions and more questions

ok I should have said the space where the gas tank goes is under the splashwell
Im wondering if there anre any negatives to getting a bigger tank and taking up all the room under the splashwell.

also if my boat didnt have foam to begin with should I still foam it up?

 

[wayno]

Re: questions questions and more questions

Yes, Foam it. There is no substitute for extra floatation that may save you on a trip in if you take on water. Its only about $40.00 for 8lb kit which is more than enough for a medium size boat. And as they mention the strutural componet it adds its a plus. It can be found at: http://www.uscomposites.com/
Under urathane foam.

Gluck, Lets see some better pics there may be another alternative placment location.