Starboard water tank fitting access

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dlincoln3
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Starboard water tank fitting access

I have a bit of a puzzler.  My starboard water tank has a small leak, and I believe it is at the fitting at the forward end of the tank at the bottom.  The problem is that there is no access to it.  The tank sits up against a fiberglass bulkhead, but there is about a 3/4" gap between the bulkhead and the tank, at the bottom of which I can see the fitting.  I have explored all around this area, including the adjacent storage locker to starboard of the tank, the engine enclosure, and under the wood floor panel.  There is no access to this fitting.  I contacted Catalina to see if they could provide guidance, and they said that the fitting should be at the rear of the tank.  But it isn't.  I have a Mk 1.5, and odd things happened in these transition periods.  Anyway, I'm thinking the only thing I can do is cut an access hatch into the bulkhead under the aft berth to get to this fitting.  Before I did so, I thought I would ask if anyone knows how I could access this fitting that I am not aware of.  Thanks!
 

Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

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Haro
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Posts: 403

Don, I have the 1999 version - but mine looks just like yours. I will look at mine and see where the connection is.
Have you removed the floor board and see if there is an access from the bottom?
I believe you can remove the wood panel diving the engine and see if you will have access. Seems that there is about 4" of space if you colud get your hand in there from the engine side.
Haro.
 

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dlincoln3
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Yes, I have removed the wood floor and it is fiberglass under the wood - no access at all. There is also fiberglass between the tank and the engine compartment, again no access. It appears to be a completely boxed in area where this fitting resides.

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Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

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Gsmith
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Don

You're spot on - short of removing all other tank fittings and removing the tank that's the only way to access that fitting. I just completed the same mod while replacing water lines and fittings. Used a screw in deck plate to cover access hole. Dont't have a picture but could take one if you'd like.

Gary Smith
93 MK I, Hull #1231
Std rig; wing keel
M35A Oberdorfer conversion
 

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dlincoln3
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Gary,

No photo needed. An access port was exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for verifying that I'm not crazy. At least not because of this fitting.

Thanks,
Don

Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

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Haro
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Don, I checked my water tank and it sits about 1/4" away from the front, so there can't be any type of fixture in my case. To be sure I inserted a wire coat hanger and swept across where there may be a fixture and it did not hang up on anything. In my case, the connection must be on the back side. In your photo there are those wires crossing in the front. I do not have those wires.

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dlincoln3
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Thanks. It seems that very few have the arrangement I have, and I can definitely see why. I don't think I have much choice except to cut an access panel into the forward face of the bunk.

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Don Lincoln
"Nancy Lynn"
1993 Catalina MK1.5, Hull 1238
LaSalle, MI (Lake Erie)
Universal M-35AC

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