Disaster Strikes.........

boatone

boatone

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Disaster Strikes.........

.......well, the old girl must have got wind of the fact that we are considering a bigger boat and decided to make her displeasure known .......

Got down to the marina this afternoon to find the diesel tank has ruptured somewhere and emptied its contents into the lazarette and engine compartment bilges. Wouldnt you just know that I filled up with City Diesel only a couple of weeks ago so pretty much a full tank - probably around 90-100 gallons !

So, I guess no boating for us for a while until this little mess gets sorted.

Looks like TekTanks will be getting a call on Monday morning and tomorrow will be spent pumping out into 25litre containers for disposal. Good thing I got the diesel transfer pump, tho I guess I know now that most of the crud I sucked out of the tank was good old fashioned rust!

Wonder how helpful the insurers will be......Boats..........dont ya just luv 'em.........?

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Does insurance cover ruptured/rusted fuel tanks? i wouldn't have thought so, but I'll wait and see, nice to know if they do!

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

surely he wil be covered by insurance (as well as diesel). Mind you, not a huge claim, spose the tanks themselves not covered cos thiv just broken but the consequential damage maybee?

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Sorry to hear about the problem Tony. You should take a trip down to Tek Tanks, they are not too far from you. Forbsie and I paid them a visit and they were very friendly and showed us around and how they did every thing. Including the new jet rib they were building.

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Well, at least that solves your should I, shouldn't I dilemma about changing the boat. This one has gotta go. Cos you'll never get rid of the stink of diesel! So plenty of air fresheners and fresh ground coffe when she's ready for sale.
Sorry to hear about the problem tho'.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>A hangover is just the Wrath of Grapes</font color=blue>
 
Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Boatone, I replaced my fuel tanks this year, and like you concidered Plastic tanks? I decided against it after concidering the danger of even just a small fire near plastic fuel tanks. I now have two 80gal stainless tanks on board (and I know all the problems with condensation) which were produced by DC Marine for less than the price of plastic, and they were delivered to the door for £20. If you would like more info on them get in touch!

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Not sure... are plastic fuel tanks acceptable to the dudes that dictate the BSS rules?

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Absolutely. All carry CE rating and mine was even certified for Gasoline also.

From the BSS.

SUITABLE MATERIALS INCLUDE:

Diesel fuel
Untreated mild steel
Mild steel*
Aluminium alloy†
GRP
Stainless steel
Fire-resistant polyethylene tanks††

Petrol
Lead-coated steel
Brass
Copper (tin coated internally)
Internally galvanised mild-steel
Stainless steel
Fire resistant polyethylene tanks


THE FOLLOWING MUST NOT BE USED:
Diesel fuel
Lead coated steel
Copper
Internally galvanised steel

Petrol
Untreated mild steel
Interior painted tanks
GRP

Check <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/h00>http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/h00
 
Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Well, got up early this morning and now have (almost) dry bilges again and around 30 galls or so of diesel in containers recovered for return to new tank in due course.

Tank is actually completely empty so leak must have developed in very bottom.
Forunately, as boat is stern heavy it has all run back and has not penetrated the cabin area so residual smell should not be a major issue.

Will be getting quotes 2 morrow but heard very sensible bit of advice this morning.......As this mild steel tank has lasted 30 years or so why not just get another one of mild steel...will I care how long it lasts?....does the boat have another 30 years left in it?....makes sense to me so will see what the morrow brings.

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Just remember Tony, * = must be hot dip zinc coated after fabrication.

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Diesel tanks must NOT be galvanised, internally, but its going to be very difficult to seal a new tank and hot dip galvanise the outside. Mine are painted with zinc rich primer paint and gloss on the outside, bare steel on the inside, but thick!

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Unfortunately Colin, the BSS doesn't ac tually state whether it should be inside or out, but due to the physical properties of the zinc and its reaction with a hydrocarbon such as diesel, I believe you are right. However, try explaining that to your average BSS surveyor, who a) has no common sense, and b) no marine background, but has just seen the BSS as something as a bandwagon to jump on and make some dosh. BTW not all are like this(before Byron jumps in) but I think that many are. People should make sure they read the latest version every time it is reviewed, as more and more becomes irrelevant each time. Make sure of your facts and if you and your BSS surveyor have differences of opinion, you can wave it in his face.

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Oh well.........
Rang insurers this morning and, as I thought, losses due to wear and tear are not covered by the policy - not even consequential losses.
So, have got what seems like a keen quote to make a new stainless tank with all new fittings ready to install in about 7-10 days working from existing tank which they will collect and scrap afterwards. Quite a bit cheaper than plastic and also quicker delivery.

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Re: Disaster Strikes.........

Well done. At least you should be back on the water before too long.

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Re: Disaster Strikes....Its Out !

Well, after a bit of a struggle, the old tank is now standing free ready to be lifted out.
Fortunately the design of the P32 made it relatively easy although had one or two swearing moments with rusted bolts and, particularly, a heavy iron pipe section on the filler side that needed a heavyweight stilson to shift it. Must admit the impact driver I bought a few months ago also turned out to have been an excellent investment!
So, its now down to a tow round to the crane to have it lifted out ready for collection by the guy who's going to make the new stainless tank.


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Re: Disaster Strikes....Its Out !

i've recently bought an Impact screwdriver to undo a manhole cover - damn fine piece of kit - every tool box needs one.

<hr width=100% size=1>Adrian
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Re: Disaster Strikes....Its Out !

Brilliant aren't they! I have an air driven socket impact wrench, now that will shift anything, as long as You can get a socket on it! And you have air available, I do.

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Re: Disaster Strikes....Its Out !

'And you have air available, I do.'


Says it all really.................../forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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