Got my new fuel tank

[cdail28590]

I went Thursday to get my boat from Harbor Welding in Wancheese after they built and installed my new 165 gallon aluminum fuel tank. Lets just say that the workmanship was no where near what I thought it would be since they do work for all the boat builders at the beach. For starters, the tank was supposed to be epoxy coated. I quess they have some kids working there because that what it looked like who painted it. You could see paint brush streaks and where the aluminum wasn't completely coated 100%. Secondly I had asked that they Epoxy some starboard in the bottom of the boat for the tank to sit on so it is not directly on the bottom of the boat and so the water can drain around it. Not done. When I get there they forgot to put the fuel sender in so they drill it and put in my old sender instead of a new one I asked for. Needless to say I was livid when I left and I made them aware of the issues. The shotty work was one thing but then they charged me almost a $1,000 dollars to remove the old tank and install the new one. I had already removed everything from the old tank and even cut 2 sides that were glassed in, they only had to cut 1 more side to remove the tank and lift it out, thats it. They charged me 9 hrs for this. The tank install consisted of dropping the new tank in and putting screws in the stringer and the front bulkhead. They didn't even have to hook up any lines as I told them I would take care of all that. In my figuring since I did most of the work originally I would quess maybe 2 hrs tops to remove the tank and 1 hr to install. They charged me 15 hrs total labor. Now I will have to remove the tank and do the starboard and recoat the tank to have it so it is done right. If I had known that they would have done such a crappy job I would have just had them make the tank and I would have done everything else. On a positive note the welding looks great and they guaranteed the tank as long as they were in business not to leak or have any issues. This is just my little rant for the day but if you need a tank built and want it done right without having to constantly monitor it, don't go to Harbor Welding in Wancheese.

[seashift]

just curious of how much the tank cost you. I'm looking for someone to make a 85 gal tank for my 26 albemarle cc. I can do the epoxy just need it welded.

[Questsportfishing]

hope all the rest goes ok...

[cdail28590]

Quest Miami is a ride from NC. If I could have I would have definately had them do it. The cost of the tank and install was $2538. The cost of just the tank was $8 a gallon 165 gallons was $1320. I thought they would have done a great job but they didn't. If you can access the tank and its basically a drop in do the work yourself.

[dubb]

That guy is a real piece of work. The boat yard is great now that bluewater took over.

[seashift]

Thanks. I've already got the deck cut out and the other fuel tank is out all I have to do is get the tank built and I can go back to work on glassing it in. Would you recommend those guys if I just wanted to have the tank built and welded.

[hubris 1]

Quest Miami is a ride from NC. If I could have I would have definately had them do it. The cost of the tank and install was $2538. The cost of just the tank was $8 a gallon 165 gallons was $1320. I thought they would have done a great job but they didn't. If you can access the tank and its basically a drop in do the work yourself.

thats a great price.........its more work than you think. if you really want to see another way to do it, come to cape may. my experience in North Carolina is this, Ill take it. They do great work, at a great price. relax, owning a boat isnt for guys on a paper route. brush marks????????????you cut two sides????????get the f$#& out of my way. you sound like an italian mother in law. tell me, what price would make you happy? because i would let harbor welding do anything for me.

[cdail28590]

Well Hubris prices are different in the south v/s the north. The tank that was replaced was glassed in on 3 sides I had completely cut 2 and half of the 3rd in roughly 1 hr, so to finish it was likely a 15 minute job and then just lift it out. So, I think the amount of hours I was charged was false. I'm not complaining about the price but I think I am like a lot of other people in that when I pay for something I expect it to be done right the way I asked for it to be done. Brush marks aren't the problem, they didn't completely coat the tank, I can see the aluminum through the brush marks. Along with various other little things that I asked for that didn't get done. As far as the build quality of the tank there are no issues there and they quarantee the tank as long as they are in business (can't ask for much more). I just wouldn't have them install or coat a tank for me again.

[hubris 1]

i just think you guys are getting a good deal down there. in cape may, everyone is a f#$@^ up. they have never done anything and you definitely wont like the price. also, a tank seems to hold on pretty good even when its cut out. but i do think the price is great, sorry you didnt get along. trust me, north carolina is the place i would rather get anything done. now i should shut up!

[Questsportfishing]

my old tank was 165 gallons and was shaped like a wedge, and was glassed in to the main inner stringers. The wedge went out at the top and had two rails built out of plywood glassed to the top of the tanks as floor supports. when re-building these boats I now bring the stringer supports up and beam the deck for support. building a tank and useing it as a floor support out of todays aluminum I do think is a mistake and your asking alot out of the tank builder. my tanks are now 119 gallons in the stern area and I am able to get a 86 gallon tank in the center of the old inboard engine compartment. I am also able to install two saddle tanks Y'ed together for 47 gallons of water. my tanks from sunshine are about 8-9 bucks a gallon especially when things went up ... removing the back deck , stringers, beams, fuel lines, vent lines,wet vac filters sanding and grinding stuff, let alone the cost of just owning tools (and mentally writing them off with every job in my mind), 5200, epoxy, 2 part steel flex to coat it and glass came to around 3k... without the tank... there are so many things you can do to spend your $ on but you also need to be smart and figure weight and structure .. I have found if you pass your hands over everything you have house, truck, boat, *wife*, whatever you know it so much more. My reasoning for structure is the outboard rigs tend to go much faster than the inboards and the thought of pounding my tank was not an option. makes ya smile when you get it right though!