1986 F 20 CC fuel tank

sandcrab2 · #1 10-29-2017, 10:02 PM

Hi all,

Have a new to me '86 fisherman 20 CC. Would like to replace the fuel tank , does anyone have pics they can share of doing that? How tight is the original tank foamed in? My original tank is 60g I believe.

How much trouble is it to remove? Any idea of cost of new aluminum tank from RDS in Perry, FL? I'm in Panama city, so RDS would be convenient.

So far I'm in love with the boat, I have one soft spot just forward of the center console / fuel tank area. Is that possible to fix once t-top is off? I'm thinking a coosa panel and maybe reinforce from underneath if I can get to while the fuel tank is out.

Thanks!

phatdaddy · #2 10-30-2017, 06:49 AM

I went over to perrry and picked up my tank (85 cuddy 60 gallon) three years ago. It was $425 and they had it in stock. Never been into a center console, but probably cant access forward compartment from fuel cell. They are usually in a seperate compartment.

I had a soft spot in deck, ended up cutting it out from top. Putting in new plywood core and a hatch to take advantage of huge storage space.

Welcome to site, good luck, and post some pics.

SkunkBoat · #3 10-31-2017, 08:41 AM

digging out the foam is a pain but the tank will come out. There is no reason to cut the deck. You have to get enough foam out of front and rear to be able to move it around. Someone said use a power washer. Wish I thought of that cuz I dug it out with various tools. My custom tank was $500.

phatdaddy · #4 10-31-2017, 01:40 PM

I tried the pressure washer, what a mess. Best thing I found is a super long sawzall blade. Could cut down the tank and bulkhead, you could feel when it got to the glass and pul back

jetblue319 · #5 11-03-2017, 09:14 PM

hi had a difficult time removing the 60 gal fuel tank out of my 86 V20 CC. i used a saw to cut out the foam , i used a power washer no help, i used an engine lift on the deck no help, i even attached a come along on to a tree limb and it was lifting the boat off the trailer. I finally vented the fuel tank with water to remove any fuel vapors. we cut off the top of the tank with a wheel cutter, removed the baffles and with a hole saw cut circular holes into the bottom of the tank, (swearing bullets , worry i would drill into the hull). it weaken the tank enough that i was able to remove the tank using the come along and a sling . pictures enclosed. i purchased a new 60 gal tank from RDS alum in Perry, Florida i paid $500.00 $100 was for s/h to Yankeetown florida. i then coal tar epoxy the tank to protect it.

jetblue319 · #6 11-03-2017, 09:18 PM

more fuel tank photos

jetblue319 · #7 11-03-2017, 09:23 PM

more fuel tank photos , hope this helps

SkunkBoat · #8 11-04-2017, 08:13 AM

once I got ALL of the foam from the front and rear of the tank, it wiggled out by hand

sandcrab2 · #9 11-15-2017, 02:15 PM

Thanks all for the tips and pics. RDS also quoted me $550 for 60gal tank this week.

Any thoughts about lifting my center console + t-top off? I've thought of renting one of the trailerable man lifts and lifting it off with that. Might see if one of my neighbors with tall trees would mind using one of them. t-top aluminum with fabric top can't be that heavy, I'm thinking less than 500lbs? around 2-300?

phatdaddy · #10 11-15-2017, 04:42 PM

i used a 0ne ton chain hoist from harbor freight stuck a couple of 4x4's across the rafters of the boat shed. is the t top attached to the console? if not, can u just slide it and the console toward the bow.