[C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and hello

Wed Feb 21 14:11:45 PST 2024

I just changed my fuel tank out this year for the same reason - pinhole leak
at the lower, forward corner of the tank.  Like Bob's leak, the diesel fuel
ran underneath the water tank under the berth, and out into the bilge
beneath the transmission. 

I have a shelf directly above my fuel tank, on which my a/c compressor sits.
So I couldn't use Jeff Hare's larger size tank.  But the original size
replacement just barely slid in and out under the shelf.

Ezell let me choose whether I wanted a clean-out opening in the top of the
tank, and whether to put a baffle in the tank.  Because of the shelf for my
a/c compressor, I wouldn't have been able to access the clean-out, and opted
to include a baffle.  But if you would be able to access a clean-out, that
would probably be worth having and you wouldn't want a baffle.

I would also check the O-ring on your deck fill. Part of the reason that my
tank corroded was water leaking into the tank from the deck fill. That's bad
for a lot of reasons.

I opted to go with a new, keyless deck fill, and all-new hoses.  There was a
fair amount of "boat yoga" involved in reaching the deck-fill and the vent
line.  But I feel better knowing that I won't be getting into that system
again any time soon.

Good luck with your project!

Mark Seyler
S/V Reality,
Catalina 320, #232
New Orleans, LA

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Bob
Borelli via C320-list
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 3:20 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: Bob Borelli <cassattc22 at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and
hello

Why this was important,
The diesel fuel was leaking slowly and running forward under the water tank
into the bilge.
Slow leak, a persistent trickle from the corner of the tank running along
the bottom of the boat to the bilge.
Bad odor.
The PO & Broker kept cleaning up the fuel.
The surveyor didn't climb down.  Luckily I did.

Bob Borelli
________________________________
From: Bob Borelli <cassattc22 at hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 4:12 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and
hello

Well, you have to look at the tank.
The forward lower corner is where I located a leak in the aluminum tank on a
C320 I surveyed.
The surveyor did not locate the leak, I crawled back there & discovered the
leak due to the persistent diesel fuel odor.
It is a difficult space to access but once inside there is room to move
around.
Due to an A/C unit on a shelf above my fuel tank on the stbd side, I slide
down thru the port hatch or thru the wood louvered vent on the port bulkhead
in the aft stateroom.
I can get to the fuel tank for a visual exam.  Due to boats age & emails on
this list, I anticipate a future fuel tank change.
Also back there, as I was discovering the details of my boat, I located the
fuel shut off valve, which I can reach from the stbd hatch.

Bob Borelli  1995 C320 no. 209 on the hard at Duffy Creek Marina till
spring.

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of
Michael Weinstein via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 3:52 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Cc: Michael Weinstein <Michael.Weinstein at lcps.org>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and
hello

Steve, thank you for your thoughtful and certainly wise response.  We are
brand new to all of it.  Although, I enjoy tinkering with stuff, I am in no
hurry to spend time back there.  The boat surveyed well with only a few
needed corrections.  Included among them was a minor leak in the fuel return
hose.  It was fixed by the PO pre-sale.  The boat smelled of diesel when
purchased, but I assumed it was from diesel in the bilge from the noted
leak.

I have cleaned the bilge and flushed from the fuel tank forward with simple
green multiple times.  It is much better, but there are still traces of
diesel showing up with each flush and the boat still stinks (but way less).
I finally read how to detach the 90 degree elbow coming off of the aft water
tank, so I should be able to get back there for better cleaning this week.
Hopefully, that does the trick.  Given the persistence of smell and diesel
traces, though, I am concerned there is a small leak from the tank.

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Steve
Weinstein via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 1:43 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Cc: Steve Weinstein <srw_jags at yahoo.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and
hello

Mike,I don't mean to be a contrarian, but are you sure your tank needs to be
replaced?  Main question - is it leaking?  If it's still sound, you may want
to simply have a company come in and "polish" the fuel in the tank and at
the same time, clean the slug or buildup in the tank.  And if the fuel lines
are old, you might want to refresh them with new hose.  Unless there is some
compelling reason to replace the tank, like a leak or other damage, my
choice is usually "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  You'll find there are
enough other projects on a 25 to 30 year old boat to keep you plenty busy.
You mentioned this is your first boat.  Are you an experienced sailor?  If
you are really new to both boat ownership and sailing, take some time to get
experience before you take on major projects on the boat.  Hopefully, you
had a survey on the boat before you bought it.  If so, based on what the
surveyor pointed out to you, prioritize those things that are absolutely
necessary for safety to get the boat going and start sailing.  The more you
sail the boat the more you'll identify what's important to fix/upgrade, and
what can wait for a while to take care of.  Remember, "BOAT" stands for
"Break out another thousand."  Getting sailing experience and learning your
boat will get you a lot further than taking on projects that are not or may
not be really a necessity.
Just my $0.02.  By the way, as far as I know, we're not related, even
thought I have a cousin Mike and a sister Wendy, neither of which are you
guys.  LOL Steve Weinstein,2000 C320 #722, "Vega"Tequesta, Florida

    On Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 09:05:57 AM EST, Michael Weinstein
via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

 Thank you! I was aware that the frame needed reconfiguring, but that is the
part of the job I haven't been able to visualize.  Nor do I have much of a
clue of how to remove glassed in wood - but, hey, learning opportunity.

Your email makes me realize I should really get the old tank out and look
around before pulling the trigger either way.

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of
Dennis Cookson via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 4:53 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Cc: Dennis Cookson <dennis at cooksons.net>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [C320-list] Larger fuel tank and hello

Hi Mike & Wendy, welcome to C320 ownership. There is indeed plenty to learn
but you will find the owner community to be very knowledgeable and helpful.

I am also in process of replacing the fuel tank on a 1999 320 and looked at
Jeff Hare's larger tank design as one option. I have already removed my old
tank and was a little surprised to find how tight a fit it is even at its
standard size. If you go with the larger design, be aware that you will need
to remove and remodel the glassed-in wooden tray in which the old tank is
located. That's a job I didn't fancy so decided to stay with the original
dimensions. Another point to note - if you have a Webasto heater or similar
mounted on the stern transom as I do, that is another hazard to negotiate
when removing/installing the tank. I had to remove some hoses to get it
through. I know that Jeff spent considerable time modelling and proving his
design, so I don't doubt that it is a feasible route to take, just be aware
that it will be a little more involved.

The company name you need is Ezell Industries Inc
(https://ezellindustriesinc.com/<https://ezellindustriesinc.com/<https://eze
llindustriesinc.com/>>), and they likely still have his design in their
records. If not, I have a copy somewhere - let me know if you need it.

Regards,
Dennis Cookson
'Catalina' 0577

> On 21 Feb 2024, at 01:05, Michael Weinstein via C320-list
<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> New here - I hope I am doing this right.
>
> I recently purchased #354 as my first ever boat.  There is so much to
learn and I am overwhelmed in the best possible ways.
> Unfortunately, I think I need to replace the fuel tank. I would like to
buy the larger tank designed by Jeff Hare through Ezzell and I do not know
how to directly message.  If Jeff or someone who knows how to go about it
could point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.
>
> Mike and Wendy Weinstein
> S/V Zelda
> Hull 354
> Herrington Harbour North, MD
>