Fuel Tanks and stuff

[BarryH]

The fuel tanks got to come out this winter for cleaning, not a problem in itself. I was going to have the inspection cover enlarged so I dont have to take it out in future. Now the problem I'm faced with is that the chap I was going to uses says "its not possible because you haven't got any baffles in it".
Should they have baffles in or not. My tank is around the 40 gallon mark it was made and installed by the builders and has been fine since the boat went into service. Its made of stainless steel with all the proper sized inlets and outlets.

Just one other thing, my insurance states that I can't carry any fuel on the boat apart from the fuel in the tank. Fine but if we go to france I need that extra 20 litres to make the last bit, and I need to carry fuel for the outboard auxilary/dinghy engine. Is this the norm or just perculiar to my insurance.

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[LeytonC]

Why not put an inspection cover in each part of the tank between the baffles?

My insurance does not say anything about what aux. fuel i carry.
I have 70 gallons of diesel for the main engines, and 3.3 gallons for my
tender engine in an outboard external tank so its petrol-proof whilst i have not
got it connected to the outboard.

Can you install another fixed tank and have a change over switch. Would that
get around the insurance problem?

Thanks

Leyton
(River Severn / Bristol Channel)

 

[BarryH]

But I haven't got any baffles, thats why he says I can't enlsrge the one thats there. I haven't really got the space for another tank.

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[LeytonC]

Sorry, I read your post 3 times and still i saw you had baffles! Duh on my part.
well what about 2 covers anyway 1 at each end? that should not weaken the
take to much.

Thanks

Leyton
(River Severn / Bristol Channel)

 

[andyball]

I don't really see why enlarging the inspection cover would necessarily reduce the strength of the tank....unless it's some sort of plastic hatch, or of very thin steel ?.

The "diy" or small-scale build hatches seem to be metal plates screwed/gasketed over a big hole-I can see that it'd be weak without the cover, but then you won't be removing it when the tank's full. If the "lid" is thick enough, + enough fasteners, it could make it stronger.

Am I missing the obvious? (like the type of hatch,or something else?).


My insurnace makes no mention of not carrying extra fuel, unless you count "...reasonable steps...seaworthiness...."

 

[BarryH]

Well thats exactly what I thought. The existing cover is I 'spose 18 inch square. Its made of 1/4 inch stainless held down by about 20 bolts with a gasket. The sender is also mounted in it. I thought make a new cover from same gauge steel and all would be fine! If he don't want to do it I might do it myself. I've got a MIG/TIG so the welding bit is no prob, its getting the tank fume free so I don't blow myself up!!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[duncan]

why isn't 18inch square big enough for you ? - you planning to end the kids down into the tank to clean it or something?
Insurance thing seems a little odd - but we can all understand where they are coming from- just unrealistic - sort of exclusion you would expect Direct Line to have on any marine policy......

 

[Guest]

Off the wall suggestion: Can inspection be done using a mirror or home video camera (suitably secured/ATEX compliant)?

Robbie W

 

[BarryH]

Thats exactly it! The kids catch on the edges on their way in. No its really the hatch is at the aft end and you can't really get right up to the front of it. All I was going to do was elongate it a bit by about 8-10 inches. I've pick up some really dirty fuel this year, had to change the filters twice. Normally its ok as I use roadside filling stations, but this year we've used the fuel barge quiet a bit!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[ccscott49]

A 40 gall tank, should have baffles. They can be fitted through your existing inspection hatch, but by the time you've had baffles fitted and a bigger inspection hatch, with captive nuts etc, it might be better to have another tank built. You could also stuff "Explosafe" down the inspection hatch, which acts as a baffle and stops the tank exploding en-masse during fire conditions. Actually a 18" square hatch is pretty big anyway!

I would have a word with your insurance company, it is prudent to have spare fule onboard, as a safety matter, so I don't understand their reluctance. Especially if it is in the prescribed sealed containers, I find ex army/new jerry cans best!

 

[PerlMac]

Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

Reading the postings with interest....especially Barry saying his inspection hatch for the fuel tank is 18" square. I honestly don't think our Vee Express has got a hatch at all!! If so, can some knowledgeable person point me at it? Is it because it holds 100 gallons of petrol, i.e. too dangerous to look inside!! By the way, I've changed my user name from Macspinners!

 

[BarryH]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

The Vee Express is a yank boat isn't it. Friend of mine has a Maxum, he says his tank is made of GRP, can't see it myself. Anyhow, by all means have a look in your tank, just don't have a ciggy in your mouth at the time! I wouldn't recommend looking in the tank if its got petrol in it. The only time I open mine up is when I've drained it. Seeing as the boat is in constant use, thats not that often!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[wakeup]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

Thats when they are most dangerous when empty!!!! All vapour and air mixed in a container, less dangerous when full, little vapour!!!

I think the tank on Maxum's are actually poly rather than gflass. I've got one and it definetly isn't fglass definetly more likely poly.

yada yada..

 

[andyball]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

My us boat tank (also 40gall)is some sort of plastic too

 

[boatone]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

hmmm...maxum....thought that was some sort of poncey ice cream on a stick?

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/galleryframes.html> BoatsOnTheWeb and Boaters Photo Gallery</A>

 

[BarryH]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

Yeah your right, but would you really want to open up a tank containg nearly 100 gallons of petrol. Damn sure I wouldn't. Lets face it the inspection covers are there for inspecting and cleaning and stuff. Hence the "don't do it with a fag" bit. I've seen more than one tank go up, so have immense respect for them!!

Yeah! I know its running rough, but your lucky its running at all!!

 

[oldgit]

Re: Have we got an inspection hatch at all??

Plastic tanks have got to be better than badly installed alloy.
The tank on my old Regal ,early eighties I think,corroded because it had been laid directly on wooden bearers.No provision for removal so the whole of the aft cockpit floor had to be cut out by chainsaw and had to be replaced to get at the tank.
See www.yachtsurvey.com for more on alloy and glassfibre petrol tank problems and how to solve them.Early American sportsboats seemed to be worst offenders but someone else may know better.

B.....y hell where did all that wash come from.
Er looks like a B....m to me.