Replacing Fuel Tank

rdengil1

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
52
I have a volvo penta 4 cyl. AQ131D engine. The boat is a 20 foot 1984-87 Tiberias Fisherman 185 with a 32 Gal. below deck aluminum tank. Last October, I was out on the bay when the boat went dead, got towed in and found out I had a bunch of holes in the top of the fuel tank which allowed salt water to enter and fill about 1-2 gallons in the fuel. I removed the fuel and water, pulled the tank, there was no foam in the compartment except around the tank, approx. 1" all the way around. Since, I have had no luck in getting a new replacement or getting the aluminum repaired. After enormous quotes of up to 760.00, I decided that I would look into closing the floor up and putting a topside tank with a bench seat in the center of the boat behind the two front seats. Boat is a right and console. Is there a problem with putting a 20-26 gallon topside tank on this boat? If not, what are the fuel line hookups like, just run the line from the flow of the tank to the filter and fuel pump as the other tank had? Thanks. Dennis
 

mkast

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
1,934
Re: Replacing Fuel Tank

Is there a problem with putting a 20-26 gallon topside tank on this boat?

At six pounds per gallon, 120-156 LBS. plus the weight of the tank, how do you plan on securing this tank to the deck?
Remember, the USCG thinks you might hit a sea wall at full throttle.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Replacing Fuel Tank

.... The boat is a 20 foot 1984-87 Tiberias Fisherman 185 ...

The Fisherman 185 is 18'6" (18.5 feet).

Your plan for tank replacement sounds ok. Just run the fuel lines as they were before, but include an anti-siphon valve between the tank and the filter.

Chris...........
 
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