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

Wed Feb 21 16:42:17 PST 2024

I replaced my tank and fuel lines last year. Regarding the inspection port,
if you get a tank with a baffle, I think you need a port on either side of
the baffle. One of them would not be reachable due to location. I decided
the original tank lasted almost 30 years, and it was “pretty clean.” I
won’t own the boat in another 30 years, so we went with the original Ezell
tank with a baffle no inspection port. By the way, Ezell charges $150 for
each inspection port.
We also considered Jeff Hare’s design but I did not want to do any glass
work either.

Prior to this, I installed an electric fuel pump. After removing all of the
fuel lines and the tank, all I had to do was turn on the electric fuel pump
and loosen the bolt into the injection pump. The electric pump purged all
the air. I left the pump on and the boat started and ran without issue.

Good luck,
Jeff

On Wed, Feb 21, 2024 at 5:15 PM Mark Seyler via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> 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
> >
>
>
>
>