'85 v20 fuel tank replacement (done)

[Jbreen07]

My fuel tank was old and the bonding to the tank was gone a while ago it looks like and overtime electrolysis and salt ate holes in the bottom of my tank so it was time for replacement. I removed the deck plate to find the tank foamed in. there was also a cross support between the stringers nailed in that I had to remove. I tried cutting and prying the tank out to no end but it would not budge. the foam had created a tight suction to the tank holding it in. so I found out that acetone actually eats and desolves the foam. so I used about 2 gals of it and slowly (about 6hrs total) let it eat away as I chipped and dug away as much as I could. then I put a ladder across the boat to use as a beam and got a rachet strap ( a come along would have been much better but i didn't have one on hand) and eventually winched it out with that.

new tank- I took the dimensions and made a drawing of the tank and began to get one made (about 5-700 bucks) but I did a little digging and actually found a poly tank in ft. pierce. that would fit pretty well in the hole, it was only a 35 gal tank though (original tank was around 65) but the new tank and sending unit was only $150 so I went that route. I cleaned out the old foam and the hole and decided against refoaming it in. ( I was in a hurry and this tank is not intended to be in the boat for more that a couple years) I simply used some PT boards and shimmed it in real tight, added a new cross support and ran all new fuel lines and wiring to sending unit.

also- I HIGHLY recommend inspecting all of your fill and vent fittings in the side of the boat, mine had leaks and the vent fitting had actually completely corroded away leaving the vent line laying in the bilge. (very lucky I did not blow the thing up with all the fumes going straight in the bilge)

hope this is helpful to anyone about to tackle this project and let me know if anyone has anymore questionsIMG_0938.jpg

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[Jbreen07]

I have more pics and more detailed dimensions of the old tank in anyone needs them aswell

[phatdaddy]

i had to replace mine last oct. you are correct, hard messy job. i ended up doing the same as you with a chain hoist and hooking to a beam in my boat shed. i was able to get a tank from the manufactor in perry fl.

nice to have the peace of mind with the new fuel system

[bradford]

Good to know about the acetone. Good write up.

[Vinny]

Just had to do the same thing on my 1987 Wellcraft V20. Cut the original 60 gallon out and replace with 40 gallon poly.

[sailouterbanks]

Where did you get the replacement tank? Do you have the model number?

Thanks!

[inaforty]

Nice write up. I wonder when my old V (1987 now owned by a very close friend) will need a fuel tank.

My 91' V has a poly tank. Hopefully the original poly tank holds up well. I know that the poly tanks permeate smell but it just seems like a better idea for a V 20.

[SkunkBoat]

Been there ,done that... I went with an aluminum tank made like original but thicker stock and more baffles. Could not find a v bottom poly that had fittings in the right places.

I hope you don't have a problem with the fuel pickup being towards the bow.

[steplift20]

I noticed that the holes that hold the panel down some might be oversized and the screw won't hold, what are you going to do to fix the problem cause I have the same problem when I remove he panel

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by steplift20

I noticed that the holes that hold the panel down some might be oversized and the screw won't hold, what are you going to do to fix the problem cause I have the same problem when I remove he panel

glue some blocks of wood or better yet pvc trim board to underside of holes