[C38] early 20 gal fuel tanks, remove & replace

[D. R. Strong]

Mark:
    Discreet Charm is hull number 50, 1980. She has a factory tank that 
holds ca 20 gallons. The tank is about 20 inches square horizontally, 
about 8.5 high on the outboard (starboard) side, and about 12 inches 
high on the inboard side. It has a pinhole leak along a welded seam. My 
pal and I pumped the residual fuel into a jerry can, then got the tank 
out pretty easily through the underbunk access. Cutting the fuel fill 
hose was necessary because the hose was fused to the aluminum fill. I 
have been told that learned that in California shops either cannot by 
law or will no not by sanity weld tanks that have held fuel; it is not 
worth a drive to Reno to find a welder. Upgrades to battery and 
freshwater strainer, etc have taken all extra room in the area, and I 
could not install a larger tank without major fiberglass surgery on the 
underbunk panel, which I dont want to do. 20 gallons serves me well, 
especially with Tom Troncalli's refueling scheme installed.
   I got an email quote of about  $350 plus $35 shipping from 
Speedytanks.com, in Pompano Beach, FL, a company recommended by Cree at 
Berkeley Marine. We have temporarily reinstalled the original tank after 
lots of epoxy on the leak. After the holidays and when we have used the 
15 gallons or so remaining in the tank, I will replace it with the 
speedytank. I want to do perfect measurements on the removed tank before 
ordering the replacement.
    The sleuthing job to find the leak has been one of the biggest pains 
we have had with the boat. I hope to photograph the replacement 
operation and place saga on our web site.

ps. Do any C38s not have a sloping floor?

regards, Don


mark turner wrote:
> Hi Phil, The Goose is a 1981 with sloping floor. I have the 
> rectangular under bunk access panel. My fuel tank is shaped like the 
> one in the drawing (goodness knows how I would ever get it out). Can't 
> remember how much it holds except it is more than 18 gals. The brokers 
> advert said 35 gals- i seem to recall it was more like 25.
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* eyriepg at comcast.net <mailto:eyriepg at comcast.net>
>     *To:* hlhowell at pacbell.net <mailto:hlhowell at pacbell.net> ;
>     Catalina 38 Listserve <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
>     *Sent:* Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:08 PM
>     *Subject:* Re: [C38] Fuel tank tech info -- 5M attachments
>
>     After comparing Les's photos of his 1982 fuel tank, which looks
>     like the tank drawing in the tech tips part of the C38 web site, I
>     am concluding that this tank could not possibly fit under the
>     quarterberth on my boat.  The main problem is the my raw water
>     through hull is in the way.  Les's boat also has a larger access
>     hole since his hole follows the chamfered shape of the
>     quarterberth molding where my cutout is rectangular.
>      
>     Now I am wondering if any pre 1982 boats have a larger tank than
>     the 18 gallon one that I have in my boat.  I believe that in 1982
>     Catalina made a number of changes to the interior of the C38.  The
>     countertop around the sink is shaped differently and a little
>     higher, and the floor is stepped down forward of the galley where
>     the earlier floors slope down (this takes guests by surprise all
>     the time).  Any comments by pre 1982 boat owners would be very
>     helpful.
>      
>     Phil Gay
>     C38 049 Que Linda
>     Everett, WA
>      
>
>         -------------- Original message --------------
>         From: Les <hlhowell at pacbell.net>
>
>         > Hi, everyone,
>         > Sorry it took me so long to get the photos and get them
>         posted. Please
>         > forgive the dirty appearance of the area near the fuel tank,
>         we haven't
>         > had time to get that cleaned up this year...
>         >
>         > I used a tape measure to help you see the distances. These
>         photos can
>         > be posted if Catalina approves.
>         >
>         > Regards,
>         > Les H
>         > JACE
>         > 
>
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-- 
Donald R. Strong
Professor
Section of Evolution and Ecology
University of California Davis
95616
530 752 7886

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