New to this site and New to the V-20

[Bpitz15]

So, I got the tank installed and sealed into place!!

I started with coating the new tank with 2 coats of coal-tar epoxy.

I placed the tank in the opening, leveled it and braced it in the opening with 2x4s so the foam couldnt lift the tank at all and poured in 2 of the 2 quart pour in foam kits. This tank is in there good! and man is that foam messy!!

For the gas tank panel, i purchased some aluminum H-bar from McMaster Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-h-bars/=ofjkvg) and secured three horizontal braces on the bottom of the panel to reduce flex. The panel feels much stronger and helps big time with my peace of mind.

I dont have any exterior shots right now but I also have it polished and got a stripe on there. More work to come!


Next big purchase is a cooler seat and new bimini.

I do have a full canvas enclosure for the boat that I would love to sell. I have the bimini, front windows, side windows and rear deck enclosure. All in fair shape with some rips and is very discolored.

[phatdaddy]

i'm jealous, mine is an 84 with the original tank, so i know its only a matter of time. i've owned the boat 22 years and every year i think this is the year it fails on me. congrats

[Bpitz15]

Thanks PD!

If you need any information on where to get a new one or tips on how to get it installed feel free to ask any questions.

If you're sure the tank coffin hasn't taken on any water in the past 22 years you should be ok! The foam around the old tank on this one was drenched with salt water and it turns out it had some gasoline in there too! The salt water in the foam ultimately corroded about 3 different holes.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Bpitz15

Thanks PD!

If you need any information on where to get a new one or tips on how to get it installed feel free to ask any questions.

If you're sure the tank coffin hasn't taken on any water in the past 22 years you should be ok! The foam around the old tank on this one was drenched with salt water and it turns out it had some gasoline in there too! The salt water in the foam ultimately corroded about 3 different holes.

People are amazed at the fact that the foam holds water... but it does. After a while it absorbs huge amounts of water, which equals huge amounts of extra weight. When I redid my soft deck floor I discovered that all the foam under the deck was completely saturated with water. We filled several 40 gal Brute garbage cans with the water filled foam. Never weighed them, but I can attest to the fact that they were VERY heavy carrying them out to the curb on garbage day. I'm guessing that I got rid of 200-300 lbs easy. That's like an extra adult riding in your boat.

[Bpitz15]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

People are amazed at the fact that the foam holds water... but it does. After a while it absorbs huge amounts of water, which equals huge amounts of extra weight. When I redid my soft deck floor I discovered that all the foam under the deck was completely saturated with water. We filled several 40 gal Brute garbage cans with the water filled foam. Never weighed them, but I can attest to the fact that they were VERY heavy carrying them out to the curb on garbage day. I'm guessing that I got rid of 200-300 lbs easy. That's like an extra adult riding in your boat.

My wallet just cringed!

[phatdaddy]

thanks bp, but after 30 years of use & abuse, i'm pretty sure salt water has been everywhere on this boat.
on a bright note, i'm only about 140 miles from perry, fl, so if i need a new tank, i can save a little on shipping

[Bpitz15]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

thanks bp, but after 30 years of use & abuse, i'm pretty sure salt water has been everywhere on this boat.
on a bright note, i'm only about 140 miles from perry, fl, so if i need a new tank, i can save a little on shipping

Yeah it was $125 for shipping to MA for me so, you would be saving quite a bit !