Fuel Tank Section Drain

[joe7670]

Retouching this subject as I found a post from 2006 which discussed it with no confirmed preference.

Took the fuel tank out last night and noticed some water in there. Also confirmed now that the tank section has no drain.

Should I be considering adding a drain in there or is the idea to attempt to keep the tank completely isolated and sealed without a drain?

[nymack66]

It was design this way for safety reasons, any leak from the tank is contained in an isolated area away from the bilge pumps, hit the switch and you go KABUL :)
Reason for water in there is from your desk, you need to seal the hatch cover well with 5200 , use a "Marine" foam to enclose or mount the tank , Someone just posted his tank replacement he did a great job you may want to do the same.
I did mine and use fresh resin to seal it off completely so if any leaks I want it to be contained to the area and foam , not in the bilge or the lake !
Here is mine been tested with water for leaks !
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc357/amackhrandilal/Sanding%20Gelcoat/DSCF0028.jpg

[joe7670]

This forum is priceless!

Makes sense now. In that case I'll need to make sure it's sealed properly.

[RIBoater]

Looks like somebody else ran into the 44" tank under a 43" hatch issue. What size pvc did you use? I tried to use 1 1/2" and the tank would not seat against the floor without "rocking" on the pvc.

RIBoater

[Skools Out]

do not foam in the tank. they have stopped doing that as it was the cause of tank failures. don't use 5200 it is a perment bond use a silicone like the brand SeaLife is good for tank hatches.

[joe7670]

So what holds the tank in place instead of foam?

[nymack66]

do not foam in the tank. they have stopped doing that as it was the cause of tank failures. don't use 5200 it is a perment bond use a silicone like the brand SeaLife is good for tank hatches.

I was assured this foam is what you use with a poly tank ! Not sure about aluminium but hey my aluminium tank was was original which meant it lasted 20 plus years with foam but it did rotten I guess because of the water leaking into it ?
You are correct about the 5200 its one heck of a bond and expensive,I just figured I will never have to access the tank again. Time will tell :)
But I did foam the sucker in !
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc357/amackhrandilal/Gel%20Coat%20First%20Coat/DSCF0086.jpg

Finish with Gel Coat
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/cc357/amackhrandilal/Gel%20Coat%20First%20Coat/DSCF0162.jpg

[phatdaddy]

i think the factory set up is 3/4 or 1 pvc,which is a small drain and easily clogged, i've seen where you take 1 1/2 pvc and split it down the middle and glass this in the bottom. it is the same height as the 3/4 adn a lot more drainage.

joe, i think you can use foam if you coat the tank with the coal tar epoxy.

[MDixon]

I used 1-1/4" schedule 20 PVC from the depot, perfect fit.