3Squids '87 Cuddy thread

[SkunkBoat]

The tank compartment is not a bilge area,. It is meant to be a dry compartment.
The hatch must be sealed with silicone(not 5200 because you should inspect it annually).
Tanks were foamed in place. There is a pvc pipe running under the tank to allow water from forward bilge to stern.
You say you unclogged a hole and it was a gusher. Sounds like the pvc pipe was clogged. Water came from forward.
That pipe clogs alot on old boats. You should probably cut an access hatch in the fish box to get at the forward end of the pipe and remove the piles of junk that are blocking it.
Then put a hose in there and blow out the pipe.

Did you see water drain from tank compartment? if so, there has been some modification.... or you poked a hole in the bulkhead...

Be aware that since your filler is to the stern, you probably will not get a full tank before the vent spits.


It would be a good idea to remove your gunnel rod boxes and reach down in there and clear the holes between the cross frames too. You need long arms....

[bradford]

Hate to say it, but someone a few years ago had problems with a tank put in backwards like that. I'd pull it to turn it around and relocate the filler. While you're in there you can address the foam/drainage situation. Really not to hard considering all the other work you've done/are doing.

[3 Squids]

Had a little time today so whipped up a new dash. The original was gone so I used some starboard and mounted the gauges and switch panel on it so if I need to access behind the dash I just can pull it out as one big panel. It gives me plenty of room to work in the console as well.


I used a couple wiring harnesses I had laying around so if I need to remove the dash I can just unplug a couple plugs instead of having to cut stuff again. Hopefully I'll never have to get in there once I'm done though.

[3 Squids]

Originally Posted by bradford

Hate to say it, but someone a few years ago had problems with a tank put in backwards like that. I'd pull it to turn it around and relocate the filler. While you're in there you can address the foam/drainage situation. Really not to hard considering all the other work you've done/are doing.

What could be a con on it being like this. I don't think it'd be a terrible pain to rotate it but then again it seems like it was easier for them to run a new filler and drill holes in the gunnel instead of putting it the other way so who knows. Obviously it's going to put the filler input to the port side of the hull but I don't see why just running a longer filler hose wouldn't work. But without trying it I guess I will never know.

[phatdaddy]

i would think the fuel pick up toward the stern is the most important consideration.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

i would think the fuel pick up toward the stern is the most important consideration.

agree.

[bradford]

The vent towards the stern creates a lot of gushing at fill up and makes it nearly impossible to fill up completely, plus when planing off would probably spew fuel out the vent with all the fuel tilting back towards the stern.

Try it out and see. Figured I'd mention it before you had her all buttoned up and had to re do it.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by bradford

The vent towards the stern creates a lot of gushing at fill up and makes it nearly impossible to fill up completely, plus when planing off would probably spew fuel out the vent with all the fuel tilting back towards the stern.

Try it out and see. Figured I'd mention it before you had her all buttoned up and had to re do it.

agree...but fuel pickup forward could cause big problem when you are low on fuel...
Don't like that tank at all...