Steve, A timely thread. Until yesterday I was watching it with a ho hum attitude. Yesterday while prepping to move boat to a race venue 10 miles away, a crew said, what's the diesel smell? Long and short, didnt move boat, pumped diesel from bilge...pin hole leaks in bottom of tank, original aluminum. So, either fix it now or fix it at inopportune time... Bill Walker 1981 CnC 36 Pentwater, Mu
Sent from AOL Mobile Mail On Saturday, September 9, 2017 robert via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: Steve: Appreciate the advice.....genuinely....however, I am the type of guy that tries to get out in front of trouble/problems before they become same....I am O.K. managing crisis.....I just like to avoid it in the first place. My fuel tank is approaching 34 years, probably aluminum, however, I do believe it will fail (probably a slow leak around the welded joints where the tank sits on top of the wooden platform like another C&C lister here today) . So if this is a possibility, why not get out in front when you have the time to plan, shop around and get exactly what you want for the price you are willing to pay, and avoid the possibility of a fuel leak at the most inopportune time. My slip neighbors would not like me pumping diesel fuel from my bilge, which is a likely scenario when these things happen during the sailing season. Yes, the boat is old, however, it is in great condition because I bought it that way from the original owner in 2006 and I have maintained it that way since. I fellow club member with a 1984 C&C 32 had his mixing elbow crack mid season.....when the engine was on, it was spewing salt water but more importantly, gases (e.g. CO) He lost a month sailing until he got someone to replace it. The following Fall after haulout, I replaced my mixing elbow, muffler, exhaust hoses....I did the work myself and it was not an easy job......old boat but new parts that wear out and therefore peace of mind. I put a new anchor light on the mast top this Spring but I never anchor......why?....because it is there and it should work should I decide to overnight anchor. I understand a small leak won't stop me from boating/sailing, however, I don't want to experience a small fuel leak and the smell of diesel in my boat if I can avoid it. And I know my tank is clean.....I just changed my primary and secondary fuel filters and they were very clean.....hadn't been changed in 8 years.....that's how confident I am in the fuel in the tank and the cleanliest of the tank. My brother has a new 33' sailboat and it almost sank this Summer because his new boat had a cracked retaining nut on the raw water strainer......until it was replaced he had to close the thru hull or the boat would fill up with water..... his automatic/electric bilge pump worked fine until his battery(s) capacity expired. So even a new boat can leave you short of peace of mind. Bottom line....every year the old boat gets something done to it so I can have a stress free sailing season.....the fuel tank's time has come I think....that is my next project and when it is finished, I will feel good. Again, greatly appreciate all the input from the people here....invaluable to me as a boat owner. Rob Abbott AZURA C&C 32 - 84 Halifax, N.S. On 2017-09-09 11:40 AM, Steve Thomas via CnC-List wrote: > The whole boat is old. If new is the criterion for peace of mind, then you > need a new boat. Not leaking and you are not departing on a world trip, then > I wouldn't worry about it. If a leak ever develops it is unlikely to start > out big and it won't stop you from getting home. > What can suddenly stop you is guk in the bottom of the tank getting sucked up > in rough weather. Water in the fuel can cause that in a relatively short > time. The hole for the fuel sender is big enough to take a look inside. Guk > is a bigger problem down south, and a lot of people install dual filter > systems as a precaution. One clogs, switch to the other. Also, a screen at > the end of the pick up tube is likely to clog if guk in the tank gets shook > loose by rough weather. It is not just a southern problem. It happened to a > friend of mine who was heading south from Chester NS. Had to get towed into > Liverpool. Couldn't sail it in the prevailing weather. Better to get rid of > the screen and rely on the primary filter. Your choice what to worry about > and where to spend your time and money. Same caveat on free advice applies. > > Steve. > > ---- robert via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > For $200, I would simply forget putting the old tank back in even after > a good inspection.....just the peace of mind is worth $200....plus my > labor which can be obtained for adequate amounts of beer. > > Now, can I buy a new fuel tank locally or do I have to order from afar? > > Rob Abbott > AZURA > C&C 32 - 84 > Halifax, N.S. > > On 2017-09-08 5:07 PM, Dennis C. via CnC-List wrote: >> Keep in mind that pitting may be on the inside from water in the >> fuel/condensation. >> >> A new plastic tank is under $200. >> >> Dennis C. >> >> On Fri, Sep 8, 2017 at 3:00 PM, robert via CnC-List >> <cnc-list@cnc-list.com <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: >> >> That's what it looks like....aluminum, rounded corners, welded >> ends.....I have yet to actually measure it but I am guessing it it >> approx. 24" wide, maybe 20" deep and 18" height......I think it is >> the original 20 gallon tank that sits on an open wooden frame >> (ends on the wooden ledge(s) ) with most of the bottom >> exposed....the bottom that is exposed looks fine but it is what I >> can not see that I would like to inspect.....it's the welded ends >> on the bottom where the tank fits on the wooden frame that is my >> concern. >> >> The boat was in fresh water for its first 21 years.....well >> maintained....since I have owned it, the fuel tank is in a salt >> water environment but the tank has not been subjected to salt >> water on it. >> >> Empty it, remove it, clean it, inspect it.....then make a decision >> about replacing it. I may have just decided on a plan. >> >> Will keep you informed. >> >> Rob Abbott >> AZURA >> C&C 32 - 84 >> Halifax, N.S. >> >> >> >> >> >> On 2017-09-08 4:08 PM, Steve Thomas via CnC-List wrote: >> >> The standard tanks are aluminum, rounded corners, welded ends. >> It it looks like that, then that is what it is. Otherwise >> there was such a thing as special customer orders. I looked at >> at 35 once that had a cylindrical monel tank. Don't know it it >> was original or not, but it appeared to have been there for a >> while. >> >> Up to you, but I would remove it, clean it really good, and >> inspect it very carefully before making a decision to replace >> it. If salt water has been kept away the condition might >> surprise you. >> >> Advice is worth exactly what you pay for it. >> >> Steve Thomas >> C&C27 MKIII >> Port Stanley, ON >> >> C&C36 >> Merritt Island, FL >> >> ---- robert via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com >> <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: >> I am assuming the fuel tank on my 1984 is original......it is >> metal.....not sure what the metal is. Anyone know for sure >> what the >> fuel tank was made from? >> >> Given its age, I am considering removing it later in the Fall and >> inspecting it and possibly replacing it. >> >> Should I decide to replace it, what are my best options? Where >> would I >> obtain a new fuel tank (20 gallons)? >> >> Any and all input greatly appreciated. >> >> Rob Abbott >> AZURA >> C&C 32 - 84 >> Halifax, N.S. >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our >> members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our >> costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our >> members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our >> costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. >> If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go >> to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray <https://www.paypal.me/stumurray> >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish >> to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: >> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> >> All Contributions are greatly appreciated! > > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish > to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! _______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
