My 1987 Fisherman 20

[Night_Sailor]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

First, from one vet to another,thank you for your service. Second, welcome aboard. It's hard to sink these boats. (not impossible, just hard). I'd make sure I had a splash board in front of the engine well. (why invite trouble)

You need to find out why there was a cut in the deck by the tank. If the tank was replaced, that's gravy. If however, the PO looked at the tank and decided to sell the boat because he didn't want to fix whatever the problem is you have a project on your hands. Stating the obvious, leaking gas tanks are a fatal disaster waiting to happen.

In all cases, again, welcome aboard. Looking forward to more posts from you. and remember, we love boat porn on these forums, so be sure to post lots of pics.

Thanks, but some of the people I met while serving were REALLY deserving of your thanks. Look up MoH recipient Col Jim Flemming--a fellow with whom I had a lengthy talk--his story the way he tells it would make you cry. Here is a link although it does not do the story justice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_P._Fleming

Much in not said in the wiki. One of the guys he saved was a friend of his on his fourth tour doing recon. He signed up for a fifth tour and was KIA--this was the fellow Jim Flemming thought was "the bravest man he knew" and he ought to know. I can't remember his name though. The boots on the ground never get enough credit IMHO.

Regarding the tank. There is nothing difficult about fixing this boat up. I've restored my bigger boats and anything under 30' is a piece of cake, I don't think anything of it. I can put in 30-60 minutes a day and before you know it, it's done.

I will pull the tank, just because I want to be 100% sure the tank is in perfect condition.

Here a picture of the console. The Wellcraft tank is not leaking--now anyway. The PO told me the tank was fine and that it is full and stabilized and mixed 50:1. So pumping out 60 gallons will be take a half a day. I'll need a drum to put it in, and maybe a couple of 6 gallon jugs. That fuel is worth $240 right there. I have a 20 micron filter on my DC transfer pump so that will scrub the fuel. I also have cables to ground everything

My helper Marco and I can get the tank out in a day if I first remove the fuel and grind out the tabbing on the console. I might take the T-top off to, so I can repaint it. We have both done lots of this sort of work. I am not afraid to cut up decks or drill holes--that is what stops most people.

So any way, in these pictures you can see someone taped up the edges of the console. I took a peak in an access hole and what I saw doesn't look great. I'm going to stuff a camera in there and get a better idea. I am guessing the tank starts at the front of the console and goes aft to the helm seat? There is a seam sealed with silicone that looks like it was meant to cover a tank. If the tank goes farther forward than the front of the console, then this is definitely the original tank. Can anyone clue me in on that? Where is the front edge of the tank?

[RABBITFISH]

It just so happens I have the exact same model as yours. I had to replace the tank in mine a few years back. I'll try to find where I put the pics later. There is a removable hatch under the console and extending back behind the pedestal seats. It is sealed with caulk. To remove it you first have to lift the console up. This was sealed with something much stronger, but I was able to slide a razor knife along the edge to cut it. After removing the hatch you are looking at the entire fuel tank. This allowed for easy, (not really it was foamed in) removal of the tank for replacement. I had an exact duplicate made at sunshine tank fabrication, coated it with coal tar epoxy, and reset it and foamed it in. It looks like someone probably hacked up the edges of the console trying to remove the hatch. If you like I can get some pics for you or if you have anything I can help you with please let me know....

[chart]

as far as fuel economy difference on new mercury 2 & 4 strokes they are about the same. modern 2 strokes are very good on gas.

[bradford]

I love my 150 E-TECH. Starts right up every time, planes off instantly, gets low to mid 40's top end though she may have a little more, I've never fully topped her out. Great on gas and burns hardly any oil, it will scare you until you get used to it. I run with only me and my wife, and sometimes our 35 and 50 lbs dogs, a cooler with some drinks and sandwiches. I've run a couple fast boats in my past and sometimes think I'd hang a 200 on her if I were to do it again. I had a 225 Evinrude on her before and would run low 50's top end with a 19" prop, burned 3 times the fuel.

One of the ways I reasoned spending the money was taking the price of the engine and dividing by the number of years I plan on having it, and the number of times I plan on using it per year. I heard an old man say once that saltwater outboards live in dog years, As in if used regularly expect 12-15 years out of them before needing a rebuild etc. There are lots of exceptions to that rule.

If it were me, If I could get the old 235 running well, I'd run her with the plan of upgrading as soon as anything came up requiring me to spend more than 25% of it's value. (Which isn't much, about 49 cents a pound for cast aluminum at my scrap yard) Ferm and Spare can talk you through anything with those engines and being you already have mechanical knowledge will help you alot. Keep in mind it is a 30+ year old marine engine that just about anyone with any knowledge of them knows their old and gas hogs. Don't throw good money after bad. Plus you'll love that new engine smell.