[C320-list] Fuel Tank Access Port

[Jeffrey Brown]

Dave
My recommendation is if you have an original tank you should just put in a new one. I did this a few years ago and then cut open the old tank to see it, there’s no amount of cleaning that can be done to make it brand new again in my opinion.  Putting in a new tank was super easy.



Jeff Brown
"Out of the blue" Dana Point, CA
Catalina 320, Hull 78
(949) 350-5123
oceanblues at mac.com





> On Apr 21, 2020, at 10:58 AM, David Veeneman <davidv at veeneman.com> wrote:
> 
> I have had recurring engine problems since I bought my boat last year. The engine will run fine, but after a day of sailing through choppy waters, it dies. I’m guessing that there is a pretty good layer of muck at the bottom of the tank. The boat sat in a slip for ten years before I bought it, so that wouldn’t surprise me.
> 
> My mechanic tells me the 320 doesn’t have an access port on the fuel tank, so cleaning may be problematic. I am looking at cutting an access hatch in the tank and installing a Seabuilt Tank Access Plate (http://www.seabuilt.com <http://www.seabuilt.com/>). I’m going down to the boat later today to have a good look at the fuel tank. Hopefully, it has a flat top on which an access port can be cut.
> 
> I’m hoping folks can help me with these questions:
> 
> Can the fuel tank be cleaned through the sending port?
> Does anyone have experience with Seabuilt access panels?
> Is the C320 fuel tank baffled, and are the baffles solid?
> 
> Any other advice regarding this problem? Thanks for your help.
> 
> --
> David Veeneman
> Dana Point, CA
> SV Adelante, C320 #131
> 
> 
> 
>