new member... recent 79 v20 cuddy purchase

[tartuffe]

When I tested my tank I tested at 3 psi. I personally wouldn't offer advice if I had not done the research. But don't take my word for it.

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulatio...rds_partq.aspx

[bradford]

http://wellcraftv20.com/community/sh...ad.php?t=19952

[billmongold]

just spoke with the previous owner yesterday... it was bypassed because the gas is a few years old and he didnt wanna clean it.. on to my next question. how do you thoroughly clean a tank with varnished gas?

[Striper80]

First I'd try and pump out what's in there and see what it looks like. Who knows you might find a little water on the bottom with some gas you could run through your lawn mower on top. My Grady had 20 gal of gas in it, pre-mixed unfortunately, with a bunch of sediment in the bottom. I took all the gas out,put a little fresh gas in the bottom and sucked out the leftover sediment with my air powered brake bleeder. The gas in my tank was only a year old though.

I just went back and read that your tank was full of premixed gas. I guess your in the same boat as me. I'm just hanging onto my gas until May when my county,Essex, has a hazardous waste drop off day in May.

[billmongold]

The 6 gal has premix. Idk whats in the on board tank.

[smokeonthewater]

Originally Posted by tartuffe

When I tested my tank I tested at 3 psi. I personally wouldn't offer advice if I had not done the research. But don't take my word for it.

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulatio...rds_partq.aspx

That test is for a NEW tank outside of a boat.... A 20-30 year old tank could have significant corrosion and could rupture at MUCH less pressure than a new one.

I wasn't intending to attack you... Just offering my own advice.... I too have a little experience with fuel tanks.

Either way it sounds like maybe his tank is ok.

BTW old gas can be easily burned 1 gallon at a time in an old coffee can

[bradford]

Assume the tank and everything below deck has been taken care of as good or worse as the easy to get to/easy to clean and maintain parts above deck.

Then go back and look at your first pictures in this thread.

Rotted fuel tanks are one of the common problems on V20's which were a massed produced vessel. Yours was built during the roaring economy of the Carter years.

Personally I wouldn't trust a 35-36 year old tank built by the lowest bidder and installed in a marine environment with questionable care from the previous owners.

I still think you got an awesome deal!

[RABBITFISH]

A while back I discovered that my tank was leaking. I did wind up pulling it and replacing it with a new one. I purchased a new tank manufactured by http://sunshinemarinetanks.net/. I drew up a diagram with the exact measurements from the old tank and it was a perfect size replacement. Prior to installation I coated it with coal tar epoxy, the foam I bought from the place mentioned in a previous post. It was a struggle to get the tank out but once I got it figured out, with much help from the forum here, I now have such peace of mind knowing that I have a new tank under my feet. It was not expensive, doing all the work myself, and taking my time with it. I did not want to take any chances with a leaking fuel tank. Good luck and welcome home!

[RABBITFISH]

Yes here is the site where I got the foam from..http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html
Great stuff, and it is the kind that does not absorb water..

[billmongold]

i only live a few miles from sp tanks in barnegat (http://www.sptanks.com/webdev/home.htm) so if i wanted any work done id end up calling them. my budget is pretty tight on this boat (26 year old dad trying to make ends meet) but i think im going to at least pull it and check for corrosion/fill it with water and see if it holds. maybe fill it with water and give it a few pumps with a bicycle tire inflator. if all checks out than maybe coat it with por-15 or something similar. if you arent familiar with por-15, i strongly suggest you check them out. im trying to make the boat as safe and reliable as possible without breaking the bank. i should have some time this weekend to pull the tank, rebuild the carbs, and check out all the wiring (ensure bilge pump operation, check gauges, etc.) so anticipate some pictures. thanks for all the help and opinions so far guys (and gals if so applies).