30-40 yo fuel and water tanks...

[jbk]

I'm searching for and considering buying an old 80's or 90's Windy, likely a 7800 or 8000 model, and I'm trying to come to a view on the water and fuel (petrol) tanks on these boats. Most if not all of them I would think will have the original tanks, obviously I should assess the condition of each boat's tanks individually, but in general I just wonder whether a re-tank operation should be something that's on the works todo list fairly soon, or whether such tanks can be considered to still have many years left in them. I'm looking at freshwater lake boats (that I'll be moving to the salt), so at least that'll have been a generally softer environment for the tanks to been around.

Any advice as to how I should consider this aspect of these boats' equipment welcome.

 

[simonfraser]

boat of that vintage i'd look at all the parts and see how tough they are to access / replace
big items may well have been fitted before the deck / floor and are thus difficult if not impossible to replace

 

[jbk]

boat of that vintage i'd look at all the parts and see how tough they are to access / replace
big items may well have been fitted before the deck / floor and are thus difficult if not impossible to replace

I think that at least deck and deck beams need to be removed.

Out loud valuation thoughts - As I research this further it feels like really a boat of this age and type has very little value in any original parts, original parts that are replaceable should be considered needing to be replaced at some stage in the short or medium term, the same with the motor and drive. So if one of these boats has not been completely kept on top of and already had all that needs replacing already replaced, it should almost be seen as just a total liability with all equipment needing to be replaced on the future short and medium term owner(s') wallet(s). Am thinking a few $2-6k valuation for hull, deck, interior, tanks, equipment, systems, unless completely kept on top of, and perhaps between $1-12k valuation of engine and drive pending age and condition, and that's about it.

 

[Refueler]

I have a 1973 25ft Motor Sailer with mild steel fuel tank under the stbd fwd bunk. It was fitted back in those early 70's and I have never had any reason to question them. To replace would be a job - but at least access is not too bad.

I have a 1973 24ft MoBo with twin petrol tanks - stainless - one in each side coaming ..... both fitted when boat built. Again - never had any reason to be concerned. If I have to replace - will be a serious cut and rip job !! AFTER serious venting of course.

I have a 1986 38ft Cruiser Racer sail job with stainless diesel tank under cockpit ..... no problem ... but if ever needed to replace .. then that would not be a job I care to consider !

Tip : For anyone considering how to vent a fuel tank so any vapours are cleared ...

Empty of fuel of course.
Open up all access / vents on the tank top you can ... overflow with water. Do not open side or lower access / vents - you need to force all out the top.
Empty the water out making sure if its flexi tank - that air fills the tank ...
Overflow with water again.
Empty tank .....

If unsure - just repeat.

 

[Momac]

I don't think being on fresh water is necessarily relevant for the tanks which may corrode from the inside.
Otherwise, as you say yourself , it's a matter of assessing tank condition on an individual basis.

 

[Refueler]

Of course a pressure test can always be made .. with water of course. Not with air alone.

 

[Alicatt]

I have a 1978 Ocean 37 with 2x100gallon (454 litre), 1x10 gallon (45litre), Diesel tanks and 1x100gallon water tank all are galvanised steel and original, the senders have seen better days, the floats are not floating any more but apart from that everything else is still fine. The boat has been used mainly on fresh inland waters but has done at least one trip from Holland back to the UK as an escort to a sailing flotilla of yachts.

 

[jbk]

Good to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences. It seems 40 year old tanks may still have plenty of life left in them yet. I'll do my best to inspect and judge on a boat by boat basis. I'm not even sure whether the tanks on these boats would be steel or aluminium, perhaps the former (does anybody know?).

 

[Alicatt]

On my 7.5m river boat the tanks are original from 1979 and aluminium, on the 1978 11.6m Ocean 37 they are galvanised steel