HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM

[ripcurl2785]

Last week we pulled the boat before the terrible hurricane earl. Yesterday morning we figured we would gas up the boat and dump it back in the water. After filling up the tank and dumping the boat back in the water i opened the hatch to the bilge to check that all was ok. I noticed a small amount of gas in the bilge UGH OH. So i thought maybe i spilled alittle or it over flowed out of the tank some how idk. I guess i just didnt wanna face what i had seen. So i figured we would go for a quick ride and i would look at it as soon as we came back in. Once we docked in the slip i went down into the cuddy and almost smelled gas. I checked all the lines i could see and didnt see anything leaking. Im guessing the 1979 original tank has bit the dust.

My next question who do you all recommend for building a new tank? Anyone local in the annapolis area? any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks Tim

[Sea Witch]

I just redid a diesel tank this summer and it was done at Atlantic Coastal Welding in NJ. They offered prompt service at a competitive price based on the quotes I received.

[Wound Up]

Check the simple things first. I have two buddies that 1) Cut the deck out to replace the tank to find out that he needed new fill and vent lines only, and 2) made the same cuts to find out the real problem was a leaky full sender gasket.

Hope for the best...

[d_rehmann]

Check the simple things first. I have two buddies that 1) Cut the deck out to replace the tank to find out that he needed new fill and vent lines only, and 2) made the same cuts to find out the real problem was a leaky full sender gasket.

Hope for the best...

I second that. It's like when you go to start the engine but you had left it in gear or the safety switch is pulled.

[jawz12]

at the age of that rig,1979,if the fuel system is original,i think it's safe to say the tank is shot,as well as the rest of the fuel system-lines-fill and vent hoses...
the 24 blackfin's these have a lift out section,tank access is pretty straight forward...

only guy i use for tanks is patriot marine in waretown nj
paul will set you up - very good guy 609-693-5542

[plyand glass]

Hey ripcurl,
Gotta agree with jawz,if boat has never had the tank or lines replaced, it probably needs it now. I,ve used both Atlantic out of NJ and Harbor Welding in Wanchese NC ,both are reputible ,for new tanks in the boats i have built or replacement tanks in older boats.
give me a PM as i live across ritchie hwy from you and could look at it if needed. good luck with her!

[bigfish4me]

at the age of that rig,1979,if the fuel system is original,i think it's safe to say the tank is shot,as well as the rest of the fuel system-lines-fill and vent hoses...
the 24 blackfin's these have a lift out section,tank access is pretty straight forward...

only guy i use for tanks is patriot marine in waretown nj
paul will set you up - very good guy 609-693-5542

Glad this question was posted up......the past 3 times we fueled up we have noticed a fuel odor from the engine compartment.....nothing too strong but its there. We installed hatches to get to the sending units on the tanks years ago and checked them and there is no odor in the bilge, around the tanks and sending units....really anywhere else but the engine compartment......here is what has us confused.....its only for an hour or so after topping the tanks off......then its gone until the next refueling. We checked the fill lines......1974 blackfin

[jawz12]

Glad this question was posted up......the past 3 times we fueled up we have noticed a fuel odor from the engine compartment.....nothing too strong but its there. We installed hatches to get to the sending units on the tanks years ago and checked them and there is no odor in the bilge, around the tanks and sending units....really anywhere else but the engine compartment......here is what has us confused.....its only for an hour or so after topping the tanks off......then its gone until the next refueling. We checked the fill lines......1974 blackfin

listen,i've seen all kinds of stuff...
a few years ago,i had a customer with a fuel odor,i explained it was the tank,he disagreed,he replaced both the vent and fill hose,odor was still there...he brought the boat back,i pulled the tank,there was a hole,large enough i could put 4 fingers in,this was over top of a piece of neoprene,,,the neoprene was making a gasket,and only allowing a small amount of fuel to leak-i kept the tank till the customer could see it...if some one told me this story,i wouldn't believe it...

a few years ago,i had another boat with a fuel odor,it had a hole on the top of the tank-it also had a problem of water in the fuel...and,just last year,i had a gentleman with a small center console,the boat had a plastic tank,he continued to have a water in the fuel problem,a surveyor,told him to replace the sending unit gasket,i advised him,the boat had a leak in the tank somewhere,customer replaced the sending unit gasket-december the boat was at my shop to have the tank replaced,upon removal,a hole was found on the top of the tank...and this spring,i had a very big name center console-boat's stored with me,and serviced by me,owner's are members of this site,one of the auxillary wing tanks developed a leak...boat's 10yrs old...

i do not believe in pressure testing fuel tanks,in the boat,over 10yrs old-reason being,the system may pass a pressure test,but,there's a huge possibility of large areas of corrosion,that may be on the verge of blowing out-it's removal and inspection only


the smaller blackfins-like your's,they're a very wet ride,the tanks are foamed in place,the tanks are not protected-read that as,if the tanks are original,they're unprotected aluminum,sitting in wet foam...

no matter what anyone states,aluminum tanks in a small boat have a life expectancy of 10yrs,that's it...i've seen them last longer,and i've seen them fail sooner...if that fuel system is original to the boat,i highly reccomend,you,at the very least pull the tanks and inspect them-there's no other way to do it...i know,all of this isn't what you wanna hear,but,is what it is...

you could pressure test the tanks,by closing off the vent and clsoing the fuel valves,pressurizing the tanks to 4psig,see if pressure holds,if pressure drops,you've got a leak,but,not to scare you,4 psig in a fuel tank is alot of force,pressurizing it more than that,and you're risking a blow out...

while we're on the subject:

fuel tank repairs-no such thing...i've yet to find a shop that will repair a leaking,corroded fuel tank."i'll just have a new bottom put it",that's a good quote,truth is,a fuel tank has baffles,these are welded on both the top and the bottom-to repair it(the tank) the entire tank would need to be cut apart...and again,i've yet to see any shop,guarantee a repair on an old aluminum fuel tank...i've read on a different site-where owners claim to fill the holes with marine tex and wrap the tank in fiberglass matting-using polyester based resin-i think that repair speaks for itself
and then,we get into coatings...some,will tell you aluminum is self protecting...well...it corrodes huh ?? that's pretty selfexplanitory...
rhino lining is one i see suggested alot-it fails,and fail miseribly...wrapping tanks in fiberglass matting using polyester based resin-well...polyester based resin is pourous,and,a tank flexes,which means the glass is gonna crack-i seen a 48 pacemaker,the tanks were replaced,and wrapped in fiebrglass-same boat had the deck out and the tanks replaced a few seasons later...paint,powder coat-again,tank flexes,i've yet to see powder coat stay on anything...
me,i chemically etch prime,and follow with interprotect 2000e-10mil coating...tank is fully isolated from any and all moisture...makes sense huh ??

well...there you have it...

[bigfish4me]

Thanks for the come back Jimmy......I was thinking hole in the top of the tank as well....they are original tanks I believe...if not original 20 years old at the least. I appreciate the insight and will pass the info along.

[brokensheer]

you can also give Frankie at Maryland Marine Fabrication a call, 443 404 8330