Fuel tank leak

[Fr J Hackett]

You have my sympathy it's a horrible problem.

 

[stelican]

Could a series of small plastic tanks be connected together instead of one big tank?
That way the old tank can be removed with an angle grinder and the new ones inserted without removing the engine

You then have the problem of many potential leak points at the unions.

 

[Bouba]

You then have the problem of many potential leak points at the unions.

I favor putting the tank on a tray, perhaps with some sort of alarm....

 

[stelican]

It’s going to mean hiring lifting equipment and mechanics. Where to I store the engine safely while I spend a few days cleaning up ?
It’s a logistical nightmare and will cost a lot down here and then I have to always worry that it was reinstalled properly

A competent yard can deal with all of your issues. I have seen and been involved with many much larger engines removed from flybridge boats.
It sounds like this is taking its toll on you get some professionals in.

 

[Hurricane]

Come on guys....think! Anyone who says I have to remove the engine will be put on ignore...

As said above, removing the engine might not be as difficult as it first seems
About 3 years ago, I had to move one of mine to do some work on the front of it.
And my engines are a little bigger than yours.
This is how it was done

Please don't put me on ignore -

 

[Bouba]

As said above, removing the engine might not be as difficult as it first seems
About 3 years ago, I had to move one of mine to do some work on the front of it.
And my engines are a little bigger than yours.
This is how it was done

Please don't put me on ignore -

Thanks for that. Your engines are monsters but the situation is the same, the lounge floor. I will also need a crane with a long boom. Moving the engine might be possible (rather than take it out completely) but that is the kind of information that I want from the Beneteau engineer.

 

[Bouba]

A competent yard can deal with all of your issues. I have seen and been involved with many much larger engines removed from flybridge boats.
It sounds like this is taking its toll on you get some professionals in.

Tomorrow we will re contact Beneteau. Like I said, it’s Paris Boat Show so it’s hard to get hold of anyone who knows anything worth knowing

 

[Portofino]

I am with Hurricane here .Hopefully it’s easy to pull the motors .
I mean apart from the tank is there any other “ while we are in there “ refit work that need doing .
If my main tanks need doing it’s motors out .They are just like these on this vid .
But given the age 2003 the “ while we in there “list I suspect will mushroom .

Boubas is new ish a young boat for this really .

 

[Bouba]

I am with Hurricane here .Hopefully it’s easy to pull the motors .
I mean apart from the tank is there any other “ while we are in there “ refit work that need doing .
If my main tanks need doing it’s motors out .They are just like these on this vid .
But given the age 2003 the “ while we in there “list I suspect will mushroom .

Boubas is new ish a young boat for this really .

Before this whole episode you could eat your dinner off my engine. I suppose I could change the prop seal

 

[Seastoke]

Hope that works but I wouldn't hold my breath, or perhaps that's the answer. How are you going to address the saturated insulation material.

Mr Negative

 

[EricJ]

Fibreglass is subject to attack from ethanol, fibreglass is already ruled out for gasoline because of the ethanol and now ethanol is found in some blends of diesel at up to 15% and is likely to become a feature of all blends as time goes on.

Nordhavn uses fibreglass tanks and there are also plenty of (sail) boats with grp tanks integrated in the hull. Would be a big problem… I am not up to speed on this issue, but I would think that a builder like Nordhavn has an answer to that.

 

[Bouba]

Nordhavn uses fibreglass tanks and there are also plenty of (sail) boats with grp tanks integrated in the hull. Would be a big problem… I am not up to speed on this issue, but I would think that a builder like Nordhavn has an answer to that.

I would have no problem buying a diesel boat with fiberglass tanks but as a retrofit I think it’s a nonstarter. It would be heavy and awkward, and probably very expensive. Plus you have to have as much faith in the manufacturer as you would with a welder.

 

[petem]

A competent yard can deal with all of your issues. I have seen and been involved with many much larger engines removed from flybridge boats.
It sounds like this is taking its toll on you get some professionals in.

Regarding engine removal, the time for a bead of sweat is when they suggest getting the engine out by cutting a hole in the side of the hull (I'm not kidding)!

I agree. By all means consult with Beneteau but also worth asking a local yard for an opinion.

Bouba, have you joined the Beneteau Swift Trawlers Owners (Facebook) Group? It's got 1000 members and one of them might have had a similar issue and/or have had to remove a fuel tank?

 

[Bouba]

Regarding engine removal, the time for a bead of sweat is when they suggest getting the engine out by cutting a hole in the side of the hull (I'm not kidding)!

I agree. By all means consult with Beneteau but also worth asking a local yard for an opinion.

Bouba, have you joined the Beneteau Swift Trawlers Owners (Facebook) Group? It's got 1000 members and one of them might have had a similar issue and/or have had to remove a fuel tank?

No, I’m not on Facebook. I will think about it.....thank you

 

[Bouba]

Ok I just got back from inspecting the tank.
I had hoped it had stopped leaking unfortunately there was another litre of diesel that I pumped out. Either this is just the diesel in the hull settling or the cold weather has thickened the diesel and it’s flowing at half speed. I fear the latter.
I removed the sender unit, unfortunately I didn’t have the head room to remove it completely. I then dipped the tank and conclude that it’s slightly under a quarter. Now I dipped it with a retractable steel measuring tape so there is a possibility that the tape just bent rather than reach bottom but I don’t think so

 

[BruceK]

After all your gloating pics during the covid and post covid lockdown I'd personally review who on this forum has been a guest or has access to your boat since easement. Nothing like a bit of paranoia to burn off all this stress huh?

Anyway, if it's any consolation I've been playing in the back of my engine bay again. Putting in hydraulic steering because you cannot get the correct linear drive for the Volvo KAD systems from Raymarine and their autopilot for love or money with a back order more than a year ago. So I bit the bullet and thought I may as well replace the steering helmets too for a nice tight fit instead of the usual steering slop one gets with outdrives in case it causes the pooter to chatter or something just as nasty. A spur of the moment thing one thinks of to dispel the pain while lying across an engine and several batteries working blind with corroded bits. So I undid them all and tried knocking them out. This was after drilling out the seized grubscrews on the steering arms mind. They still didnt want to come out so as theyre being replaced brute force and ignorance driving hardwood wedges in with my biggest sledge hammer affectionately called Beryl. The 2 pounder is Gertie.
Out they came. Half destroyed and I was impressed to see I had not only drilled out the grub screw but half way through the neck too so now the were fully destroyed. Pleased as punch I ordered two new with all the gubbins and why dont you throw in a new set of props too. They came and so did the bill. On retrospect the old ones werent so bad. No really! So, at the moment I think we are running square on square but as this winter season is not over I am confident my bill will see your bill left in the dust. C'est la vie as you silly French say. I just murmured oh bugga!
EDIT my fkitnFix budget this year was 15k I'm in 12k already and still have to refit the galley and replace curtain partitions with two walls to separate the 3 cabin / bed spaces. Plus general service and antifoul. It never ends.

 

[stelican]

After all your gloating pics during the covid and post covid lockdown I'd personally review who on this forum has been a guest or has access to your boat since easement. Nothing like a bit of paranoia to burn off all this stress huh?

Anyway, if it's any consolation I've been playing in the back of my engine bay again. Putting in hydraulic steering because you cannot get the correct linear drive for the Volvo KAD systems from Raymarine and their autopilot for love or money with a back order more than a year ago. So I bit the bullet and thought I may as well replace the steering helmets too for a nice tight fit instead of the usual steering slop one gets with outdrives in case it causes the pooter to chatter or something just as nasty. A spur of the moment thing one thinks of to dispel the pain while lying across an engine and several batteries working blind with corroded bits. So I undid them all and tried knocking them out. This was after drilling out the seized grubscrews on the steering arms mind. They still didnt want to come out so as theyre being replaced brute force and ignorance driving hardwood wedges in with my biggest sledge hammer affectionately called Beryl. The 2 pounder is Gertie.
Out they came. Half destroyed and I was impressed to see I had not only drilled out the grub screw but half way through the neck too so now the were fully destroyed. Pleased as punch I ordered two new with all the gubbins and why dont you throw in a new set of props too. They came and so did the bill. On retrospect the old ones werent so bad. No really! So, at the moment I think we are running square on square but as this winter season is not over I am confident my bill will see your bill left in the dust. C'est la vie as you silly French say. I just murmured oh bugga!
EDIT my fkitnFix budget this year was 15k I'm in 12k already and still have to refit the galley and replace curtain partitions with two walls to separate the 3 cabin / bed spaces. Plus general service and antifoul. It never ends.

As Petem would say should have bought a fairline!

 

[Bouba]

After all your gloating pics during the covid and post covid lockdown I'd personally review who on this forum has been a guest or has access to your boat since easement. Nothing like a bit of paranoia to burn off all this stress huh?

Anyway, if it's any consolation I've been playing in the back of my engine bay again. Putting in hydraulic steering because you cannot get the correct linear drive for the Volvo KAD systems from Raymarine and their autopilot for love or money with a back order more than a year ago. So I bit the bullet and thought I may as well replace the steering helmets too for a nice tight fit instead of the usual steering slop one gets with outdrives in case it causes the pooter to chatter or something just as nasty. A spur of the moment thing one thinks of to dispel the pain while lying across an engine and several batteries working blind with corroded bits. So I undid them all and tried knocking them out. This was after drilling out the seized grubscrews on the steering arms mind. They still didnt want to come out so as theyre being replaced brute force and ignorance driving hardwood wedges in with my biggest sledge hammer affectionately called Beryl. The 2 pounder is Gertie.
Out they came. Half destroyed and I was impressed to see I had not only drilled out the grub screw but half way through the neck too so now the were fully destroyed. Pleased as punch I ordered two new with all the gubbins and why dont you throw in a new set of props too. They came and so did the bill. On retrospect the old ones werent so bad. No really! So, at the moment I think we are running square on square but as this winter season is not over I am confident my bill will see your bill left in the dust. C'est la vie as you silly French say. I just murmured oh bugga!
EDIT my fkitnFix budget this year was 15k I'm in 12k already and still have to refit the galley and replace curtain partitions with two walls to separate the 3 cabin / bed spaces. Plus general service and antifoul. It never ends.

Boats are so expensive, and I’ve just bought a car! So my plan is to crowd fund this repair......starting with you! and that 3k spare cash you have in your repair fund

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Boats are so expensive, and I’ve just bought a car! So my plan is to crowd fund this repair......starting with you! and that 3k spare cash you have in your repair fund

I tell you what rather than give you any beer tokens I will come and cut a very nice neat hole in the galley floor so you can get the tank out.

 

[BruceK]

Boats are so expensive, and I’ve just bought a car! So my plan is to crowd fund this repair......starting with you! and that 3k spare cash you have in your repair fund

I've already started a croud fund for you. I have a tenner going that it's not the fuel tank. Of course if I win you are out of 30 quid at 3:1 but you seem confident.