Fuel tank removal on N33 1989

[Steve Chafer]

Anyone been brave enough to do this? My surveyor has some doubts about their integrity so I am thinking about new tektanks. Looking at them it might be I have to cut them out!

Any thoughts anyone?

[Anonymous]

My first thought is for cutting the tanks out, but not through the teak; go out the side via FRP hull.

I changed the sanitary hoses on my boat. Difficult, and an impossible dream to reach some places, in particular the holding tank vent. the smart techs realized the solid fiberglass meant it would be easy to repair a cutout structurally and cosmetically. They cleanly cut ample access holes and the sanitary hises and some metal fittings were easily changed. Then the fiberglass man came and returned the cutouts.

This trick was used inside and outside on smooth finish FRP, the repair is so good one cannot guess there was ever a hole there.

If we had balsa or foam core hulls/ decks this technique would be very difficult/ expensive indeed.
In some ways our boats have the advantage of a steel or aluminum boat without the rust problem.

Richard

[mikeindevon]

I think we would be interested to know what your surveyor found, and why they are so serious to require cutting them out. Can you flex the tank side with your hand?

I have just completed a clean out of the tanks on a 331, an awful job, not pleasant at all. We noticed patches of rust both inside and out but nothing serious, more like large spots rather than continuous corrosion. The tank walls are 3mm thick.

We considered removal, but the tank is tight under the decking. You may not have to cut out the whole tank. We thought about removing the section that faces you, leaving the other five sides and inserting a plastic tank into the gap, matching up the various pipes and level sensor. Lets us know what you decided to do.

[Robert Horwell]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/43462731283/permalink/10160977173241284/

good post here on replacing tanks

[Nicholas Muir]

Steve,
I had this done for me in 2018 when I purchased my NC33 (1988/9) but only the starboard side tank. I had a stainless tank fabricated. The yard made a meal of it. The wood flooring was cut to access the tank, this may be more extensive depending on your cabinetry. Then when the tank was out they cut it open and it was fine inside, just a bit rusty on the outside. If it is not weeping fuel at the corners, I would definitely not bother. Changeyour fuel filters and regularly drain the sump of the tank(s). The port tank is really difficult to get out, I suspect that it’s something that would be possible if you lifted out the engine. I ended up just using the starboard tank only,and kept the port tank full.
let me know if you want more of my experience! Nick

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