[C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank

[Jack Fitzgibbon]

Based on Jeff’s recommendation I ordered the replacement stock fuel tank
from Ezell for my 97 C320.  The tank is high quality and fit perfectly.  I
had an inspection port included.  Ezell responded to all of my emails and
phone calls in a timely manner and they are located in north west Florida
so shipping was reasonable.

Jack F
#441

On Thu, Nov 9, 2017 at 6:19 PM Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:

> Catalina doesn't make the tank, Ezell does.
>
> If you could buy it from Catalina, they'd just be calling Ezell to build
> one and have it drop-shipped to you (and for an increased price I
> suspect).  That's exactly what CatalinaDirect does.  Now, when we wanted to
> buy a tank we went to CatalinaDirect (no offense intended to them as they
> provide a great service and I buy other things from them), they quoted me
> 2-4 months for delivery.
>
> I went directly to Ezell, and they offered me a choice of buying the stock
> tank design (with thicker walls than the original) or getting a custom
> designed tank.  So I sent them my custom design and had it in a couple
> weeks for less money.
>
> Your mileage may vary.
> -Jeff Hare
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> Behalf Of Dan
> Sent: Thursday, November 9, 2017 5:59 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank
>
> Can you buy replacement tank from Catalina?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 9, 2017, at 5:45 PM, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> >
> > Graeme,
> >
> > I have uploaded the stock fuel tank diagram to the Catalina 320 website:
> >
> > httops://c320.org/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=189
> <https://c320.org/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=189>
> >
> > or search on the site for: ezell
> >
> > I also have a technical drawing and part number for our new design of
> C320 fuel tank that holds a little over ~23+ gallons and still fits through
> all the same access locations but does require a some modifications to the
> frame that holds the tank in place.
> >
> > -Jeff Hare
> > #809
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> > Behalf Of Catalina
> > Sent: Tuesday, November 7, 2017 7:02 PM
> > To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank
> >
> > The document is available from Catalina Direct. Search for fuel tanks.
> Find the c320 tank (also the c28 or something. I also have a copy that
> ezell sent me.
> > If you don't find it, I'll upload a copy to the site.
> > Jeff Hare
> >
> >
> > Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> > -------- Original message --------From: Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk>
> Date: 11/6/17  6:37 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: Catalina list
> <C320-List at Catalina320.com> Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel
> tank From where Jeff?
> >
> > I searched the association site and googled, to no avail
> >
> > Graeme
> >
> >> On 5 Nov 2017, at 10:12, Catalina <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> The engineering drawing for the tank is available for download.  A
> decent local aluminum fabrication shop could make one.  There isn't
> anything too special about it.
> >> Jeff
> >>
> >>
> >> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> >> -------- Original message --------From: Michael McCretton
> >> <michaelmccretton at hotmail.com> Date: 11/5/17  1:46 AM  (GMT-05:00) To:
> >> C320-List at Catalina320.com Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel
> tank Graeme A couple of years ago I had the bottom of my fuel tank cut off
> and replaced as you describe by http://www.jaywolfe.co.uk/ who are based
> in Northampton. They also put an access port in and replaced the rather
> heath robinson fuel guage with a more modern one. When finished they
> pressure tested it. Very professional and as you suggest a fraction of the
> cost from the US.
> >> I also went to see Tek Tanks who will make a plastic tank in any shape,
> but I stuck with the old one primarily because getting all the threads on
> existing connectors which were in American screw threads became
> problematic. They did not gave the appropriate cutters.
> >> I also put a hand pump in as recommended by Nigel Calder in his book on
> boat maintenance. He places great store by this. I can now drain the bottom
> of the tank with minimum effort. I got the pump fro Force4 for about £19.
> >> Regards
> >> Michael
> >> Silvan II 1994 #302
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >>
> >> On 4 Nov 2017, at 20:40, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk<mailto:
> cg at skyflyer.co.uk>> wrote:
> >>
> >> I think you could well be correct Jeff. Unfortunately overseas in U.K.
> the cost of importing a new one is horrendous!
> >> I'm thinking of having a new bottom welded into place instead.
> Relatively simple and inexpensive. The sides and top aren't really that bad.
> >> Graeme
> >>
> >> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
> >>
> >>
> >> On 4 Nov 2017, at 15:32, Jeff Hare <Catalina at thehares.com<mailto:
> Catalina at thehares.com>> wrote:
> >>
> >> If you look closely, you'll see all the internal pitting/corrosion
> >> (the dark spots).  The early tanks (even through 2002 models) used
> >> significantly thinner aluminum than the latest tanks.
> >>
> >> I predict that this tank will spring real leaks before much longer,
> >> especially now that it's cleaned and the corrosion can really get
> >> started again. Instead of just cleaning out the inside of the tank, I
> >> think you'll soon be pulling out the aft water tank and cleaning
> >> leaked diesel from that area and the grid stringers.  These old tanks
> >> will all fail. And it's those pits that will start weeping.  Ours was
> replaced 2 years ago in our 2001.
> >>
> >> Also the newer tanks have a pickup that dips near the bottom but
> >> doesn't sit on the bottom.  I actually prefer that the crud to be
> >> picked up and handled by your primary filter, so that your tank
> >> retains less debris over time, but that's just my preference based on
> how and where we use our boat.
> >>
> >> We designed and installed a ~24gal replacement tank that EZELL built
> >> for us using the same thicker material they use in the newer tanks.
> >> https://c320.org/mediagallery/album.php?aid=298
> >>
> >> -Jeff Hare
> >> #809
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On
> >> Behalf Of Graeme Clark
> >> Sent: Saturday, November 4, 2017 10:41 AM
> >> To: Catalina list
> >> <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>>
> >> Subject: Re: [C320-list] inside my 1996 fuel tank
> >>
> >> Indeed so Ted,
> >> The ends are folded over and inserted INTO the folded body then
> >> welded on the outside. I guess it gives extra rigidity around the
> >> edges, but is also leaves an impossible to clean crevice where dirt can
> collect.
> >> I have no idea what the gunk consisted of, but there was a grittiness
> to it.
> >> I suspect its a combination of things!
> >> Graeme
> >>
> >>
> >> On 4 Nov 2017, at 12:22, Ted Harrison
> >> <tharrison at innovations-plus.com<mailto:tharrison at innovations-plus.com
> >> >
> >>>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Thanks for the pictures. What I also noticed was the metal seams.
> >>
> >> Ted Harrison
> >>
> >> On Nov 4, 2017, at 8:14 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk<mailto:
> cg at skyflyer.co.uk>> wrote:
> >>
> >> Before and after pics, having cut an inspection port and cleaned out
> >> 21 years worth of gunk!
> >>
> >> I was surprised to find the rubber extension hose on the fuel pickup
> >> leading to the very lowest point of the tank (forward port corner)
> >> where it is ideally placed to suck up any accumulated muck!
> >>
> >> Before:-   https://ibb.co/giY9Nb <https://ibb.co/giY9Nb>
> >>
> >> After:-   https://ibb.co/d9wJFw <https://ibb.co/d9wJFw>
> >>
> >> Graeme
> >> #366, Jaskar, 1996, UK
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>