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

Wed Feb 21 18:20:20 PST 2024

You are a gem. 
I have never used bioboar but also have never had any problems. I went to West Marine the other day to buy some and there are different kinds. Which type do you recommend?
Sara 
Wandering Star
2000/#707

> On Feb 21, 2024, at 5:38 PM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> Just as an aside to this thread, It’s a really good idea to use Biobor or a similar product to keep water from creating problems in your diesel. This is the stuff jets use to keep from falling out of the sky due to stalled engines.
> 
> I use a capful for every five gallons and, over 15 years of diesel ownership, I’ve only had one outbreak of algae/bacteria. That was when I got distracted and stupidly forgot to replace the fuel cap right before a storm.
> 
> If you suspect there is water in your tank, do a big dose of Biobor and let it sit overnight. The gunk will have dissipated into a fine, dark powder that won’t clog the filter. But change the filter anyway, drain the diesel and replace with fresh fuel.
> 
> I have a Racor 500 filter in the stern locker near the tank. What I did before refilling the Racor  was disconnect the fuel line from the Racor and fit an electric fuel pump with hose, then pump the diesel from the tank through a Baja filter and into five-gallon fuel cans that I use for cruising.
> 
> I managed to pump the tank dry and got a little bit of water and some powder out with the Baja filter. Then I refilled the tank using the cans and the Baja filter. No more problems.
> 
> As long as you keep water out and stainless steel items away from the tank, it should last forever.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows
> 
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jeff Smith via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 7:42:17 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Cc: Jeff Smith <svsailmates512 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] [EXTERNAL] Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Larger fuel tank and hello
> 
> 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
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 