[C320-list] Fuel tank corrosion due to installation againsthull?

[Jon Vez]

Martin,

I don't remember exactly, but they were certainly high enough to keep the
whole tank comfortably off the bottom and I believe there were 4 of them
running fore-aft....

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Martin Bayly
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 4:36 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel tank corrosion due to installation
againsthull?

Thanks for the replies Jon and Bob.  That makes me feel a bit better.  Jon,
you mentioned that there were rubber ribs taped to the bottom of the tank.
Out of interest, how high were those ribs?

Cheers
Martin 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
Sent: September 7, 2008 4:56 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel tank corrosion due to installation
againsthull?


Martin,

I've had to replace my tank recently due to a pin hole in the tank. I have a
'99 and the tank developed the leak at a weld, but not on the bottom. There
are rubber ribs taped to the bottom of the tank which keeps the tank off the
bottom and provides vibration protection as well as air circulation. 

When I removed my tank after 9 seasons the bottom was in like new condition
with no sign of corrosion or wear anywhere on the tank. The wooden skirt did
not appear to have any sign of water pooling. 
I would just check all of the hose connections around the tank area and put
a gasket around the aft lazarette hatches to prevent water from entering and
not worry about this particular issue. Good luck--it's a great boat!!

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Martin Bayly
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2008 12:05 PM
To: C320-list at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Fuel tank corrosion due to installation against hull?

Thinking of buying a 2005 model (built 2004) catalina (hull 1023).  Just had
the survey done and one of the major issues that the surveyor raised was to
do with how the fuel tank is seated.

 

He says there is water (maybe fresh water - he couldn't tell), between the
bottom of the fuel tank and the hull.  He described that there is plywood
skirt around the fuel tank which is preventing this water from dissipating.
It sounded like the plywood skirt was to hold the tank in place, but he
seemed to think that the tank was effectively sitting directly against the
hull.

 

He suggested that the tank needs to be raised, ribbing/slats  put in place
between the hull and the bottom of the tank and drain holes cut in the
plywood skirt to allow any water that collects there to drain away.

 

He felt that if this wasn't done there could be a danger that the bottom of
the tank could corrode away quite quickly.

 

So if this is the case, it sounds like a bit of a design flaw.  Just
wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.  Did a quick search
for Fuel tank issues in this list but could not see anything like this
reported.

 

Thanks for any info

Martin