[C38] fuel tank replacement?

[Les]

Those measurements look correct.  I am not on the boat now, but I know
the length is right, and the short side measurements are right.  I think
the engine side is about 16" on the forward end and about 12" on the aft
end, but I would have to actually measure them to be sure.  I just don't
recall those.  I looked at the short site thinking I might add another
small tank outboard to add capacity, but no standard tank I could find
would fit the spot and I didn't want to pay to get one built.  But that
is how I know the length and short side measurements.

	Ditto on the fuel gauge.  By the way, I put in a generic truck fuel
gauge. It shows the fuel capacity right on (verified at the fuel dock)
and has worked for four years.  Don't even mess with those Tempo gauges.
Tempo is a good name for them, short for temporary.

Regards,
Les H
On Tue, 2007-09-04 at 20:43 +0000, eyriepg at comcast.net wrote:
> I had an experience similar to Joe's this summer.  I filled the tank
> completely and left the boat for about 5 days.  I was somewhere
> between horrified and dismayed when I returned to our boat.
> It smelled fumey and, when I lifted the hatch in the cabin sole, I
> found about 1/8" of diesel floating on top of my bilge water.
> Fortunately two of the oil absorbing tubes quickly and completely
> extracted the fuel.  The problem was the gasket around the fuel gage
> sending unit was not tight.  I use that hole to suck condensation and
> sediment out of the low corner of the tank every spring using my oil
> extraction tube.  This could be your problem if your tank is
> completely full.
>  
> My fuel tank is not original, but I have read that the original tank
> was 35 gallons.  Attached is a Catalina Yachts drawing of the original
> tank along with installation instructions.  I too would like the extra
> cruising range that the larger tank would give me.  Would those of you
> who have the original tank confirm the dimensions of the drawing
> attached?
>  
> Phil Gay
> C38 049 Que Linda
> Everett, WA
>  
>         -------------- Original message -------------- 
>         From: Joseph Launie <jlaunie at cox.net> 
>         
>         > D. R. Strong wrote: 
>         > > Dear C38 list. 
>         > > "The time has come," and it wasn't a walrus that said it
>         but about 
>         > > 1/4 of a cup of bright red diesel in the bilge. The diesel
>         is there each 
>         > > week and takes about 5 days to appear clearly. The tank
>         location makes 
>         > > the source of the leak hard to pin down. I can find no
>         leaks in the fuel 
>         > > lines or engine. The 20 gallon tank is dated, 1979, and
>         Discreet Charm 
>         > > is a 1980 model Catalina 38. So, my inference is that the
>         tank is 
>         > > original and has corroded though. 
>         > > Best way to remove and replace? How about cutting the top
>         off a 
>         > > section of the fiberglass molding supporting the Vberth? A
>         careful cut 
>         > > could be replaced aft er the install of the new tank. We
>         are 
>         > > contemplating a larger tank that would be beveled on the
>         starboard edge; 
>         > > some quick arithmetic from my trusty 8th grade geometry
>         suggests we 
>         > > might be able to get a 30 gallon tank in there. The
>         electrical upgrade 
>         > > made by a previous owner put the engine battery close
>         behind the tank, 
>         > > so sternward expansion of a replacement tank would be a
>         huge job. 
>         > > All suggestions and observations welcomed! 
>         > > ta, 
>         > > 
>         > > 
>         > > 
>         > D R 
>         > Before you start cutting and pulling, there is one thing to
>         check. I 
>         > had the same thing - diesel in the bilge where I would
>         rather not have 
>         > it. My mechanic found that the rubber gasket on the top of
>         the tank 
>         > where the fuel gauge or something attaches had gone south.
>         He replaced 
>         > it and the problem disappeared. These tanks are pretty
>         tough. Joe 
>         > Launie, M acavity Commodore 
>         > 
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