It seems I have fallen victim to the common problem of a leaking fuel tank due to moisture buildup under the tank. I called Catalina Yachts in Florida and they are recommending a 25 gallon tank. They claim the 32 gallon tank, which I thought was standard was for the gasoline engine. I will check the online manuals and measure my tank tomorrow but any comments would be appreciated. Catalina Direct has the 32 gallon tank for $570 and the 25 gallon tank from Catalina Yachts is $516. Ouch either way!
—
Henry Alvarez
S/V Gitane
1984 Catalina 36 MK I
Alameda, CA
I just checked out the online manual and the fuel capacity is 33 gallons. I will go back to the Catalina Yachts parts department to refer them to their own manual.
Henry Alvarez
S/V Gitane
1984 Catalina 36 MK I
Alameda, CA
With all the boats that got damaged last year, have you thought of trying to find one from a boat that was "totaled" but the tank could still be good? There are a few companies that ended up with a lot of damaged boats which they were selling as fixer-uppers last spring. Maybe they have some that never sold and now they're stripping for parts.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
I'm curious how you end up getting it out. Mine appears to have been glassed in place at the factory and on the center side (vs the port side) there is no access plate to get at the glassed-in section.
Looks as if they installed it and THEN installed the hull liner?
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
Hi Henry. We had a similar problem with our aluminum fuel tank. Rather than replace the tank, I glassed over the outside of the tank. The tank was held in place with metal tabs glassed to the hull on the port side only. I used my hand grinder with a cutting wheel and then a wood chisel to remove the fiberglass holding the tab to the hull. The starboard side of the tank was held in place with only a wooden shim wedged between the top of the tank and the fiberglass lip supporting the seat above the tank. Once out of the boat, I sanded the entire exterior of the tank with a palm sander, then wiped it down with lacquer thinner and applied West System epoxy. Two layers of glass cloth were applied to the bottom, one on the sides and top, and an extra strip of glass cloth was applied around the bottom corners. The whole operation took a day. This has worked well and it was much kinder on the budget than a brand new tank. The leaks are gone and after one season on the water there is no evidence of the fiberglass separating from the aluminum. The epoxy should protect the exterior of the tank from further corrosion damage.
Michael & Jayne O'Neill * Steadfast * 1985 C36 #372 * Salem, MA
The tank on my '91 MK I is 33 gallons FWIW. When you have the new tank, you might think about cutting inspection plates on the top while the tank is empty. You'll need one on each side of the baffle. I had that done when I had my tank cleaned as well as a 1/4" hole with cap for a dipstick.
Mike
[ATTACH]1533[/ATTACH]
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
Look on the bright side: You never would have gotten access to that (probably loose) hidden 10th keelbolt, had you not removed the tank :) My under tank keel nut turned almost 2 whole turns before reaching 105 ft/lbs.
Did you get a new tank? I haven't ordered mine yet. A local marine tank builder who had been recommended as a less expensive way to go, wanted $712 without the inspection plates, $812 with them. Suddenly Catalina Direct's $500 didn't seem so painful.
Paul & Ann -
"Freestyle" -
1985 C36 #454 -
North Puget Sound, WA
Call Unicraft in Bellingham and see if they can make one for you. I needed a new muffler lift and Catalina was 3-4 hundred and they built one for 110$ and better than the Catalina one
Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1