1980 Hunter 36 fuel tank removal

May 19, 2014
19
Hunter 36 Corpus Christi, Tx
Hi all . . .

37 years and the fuel tank is leaking into the bilge . . . thank god its (only) diesel.

I am praying that Hunter did NOT build the boat around the tank.

So, the question becomes . . . Does anyone have direct knowledge of removing the tank for repairs/replacement and would they please share their experience.

Of course, I posted this b4 I did a search here . . . be kind.

Thanks

s/v Driftwood
Ensenada, BC, Mexico
 

Alctel

.
Dec 13, 2013
264
Hunter 36 Victoria
I think mine is secured with metal straps - I don't think getting it out is gonna be that easy :<
 

RoyS

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Jun 3, 2012
1,739
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
I have a 1980 H33 which probably has a similar arrangement. My tank is also held down with metal straps. On the 33 it is easy to remove the wood partition on the side with the quarter birth. The tank may be able to slide out through the quarter birth. Good luck.
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,995
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
s/v Driftwood
Ensenada, BC, Mexico
You are sunning it up, drinking margaritas, biting the lime and you want us to be kind? :kick:

First set the tequila aside. Drain the tank.
Here is one link to give you some scope on the job ahead.
More info:
Believe the tank is a 30-35 gallon located under the aft bed. It has been done DIY. You will get your hands dirty. Locate a replacement prior to removing.
 
May 19, 2014
19
Hunter 36 Corpus Christi, Tx
The tequila is hooked up intravenously and the nurse has yet to arrive and disconnect the feed.

Thanks for the replies . . .

The 1980 Hunter 36 has no quarter berths as the ice box resides aft of the galley on the port side and the nav station is at the companion way on the starboard side. Sorry, I was remiss in not making this more clear.

The 'first look' at the project and I may be hacking thru structure to provide room for removal, ugh!.

And the tank is secured directly to structure (no ventilation for the bottom of the tank) (port side lazarette) with stainless straps (2) so that is the cause of any leaks. Not necessarily the straps, but the corrosion occurring where moisture and dirt collects along the bottom of the tank.

And, yes the tank data decal is still in tack and I have a request out to Florida Marine Tanks, (30 gal).

Thanks again for all your input, but I need to focus on the Hunter 36, 1980 model fuel tank removal.

And right now we are experiencing liquid sunshine . . .

cheers,

s/v Driftwood
 
Oct 22, 2014
20,995
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
I do not have experience with your specific boat. As I understand your boat from the 1980's was well received and was built to strong standards. I do have experience removing things (ie watertank, Water heater) from my 1974 boat. Pictures might help with ideas.
Crazy Don, on this forum was a Hunter Dealer, may be a resource for your specific questions. Maybe a PM to him will yield a specific answer.
Otherwise, post a photo of the offending tank and issue and you may get some responses that may help. Common practice for boat construction is to sit tanks on supporting feet (a block secured to the fiberglass hull) and then strapped into place to prevent tank movement. If the straps get loose, then the thickness of the tank is the only defense against chafe induced leakage.
Best of luck
 
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SFS

.
Aug 18, 2015
2,066
Currently Boatless Okinawa
jssailem has had too much tequila (or El Dorado rum) himself today. The guy you want to PM is Crazy Dave Condon. He was a Hunter dealer for a long time, though his specialty was the trailerable boats. Send him a private message.

I agree that some photos may aid us in giving you some suggestions.
 
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Oct 22, 2014
20,995
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Yes that is it Crazy Dave.... The Don.... Godfather of Hunters...
 
Jun 8, 2004
995
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
I imagine Rardi (who owns an H36 in SF) will be along and may be able to offer advice. Where is the diesel tank located on an H36? As someone mentioned, the tank in the H37C is under the quarterberth - easy to get at but it would be hell to remove. Something that some H37C owner have done for leaking water tanks is to cut the top off the tank and secure a bladder inside...I don't know if this would work for your fuel tank...just an idea.
 
May 19, 2014
19
Hunter 36 Corpus Christi, Tx
Leaky fuel tank

Thanks folks, but my Hunter 36 (HUN36007M80C) is not like any other Hunter save her sisters.

The fuel tank is buried in the cockpit port lazarette aft of the ice box and outboard against the hull. A picture would merely show the location of my modded Racor fuel filter and electric primer pump mounted on a partition just inboard of the tank and may not be that helpful. Not to mention the ice box.

A picture, however may help for those who desire a more convenient location for a second fuel filter.

PS, Driftwood is not trailerable.

Keep those messages coming

s/v Driftwood
 
Jun 21, 2007
2,105
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
Over the almost 10 years participating on the Cherubini forum, I don't recall any other 36 owner(s) posting about the diesel tank removal.

Your 1980 built boat #7 and my 1980 #36 are likely identical. More than a few times, I have stared at the diesel tank with trepidation -- for the day it might start to leak.

Since I can't add anything from definite experience, all I can suggest is what you have probably already contemplated. Contort yourself down underneath the port side lazerette and measure both the tank's LxWxH and also the dimensions of all aspects of the tank's possible "escape" routes. On my boat, the batteries are located underneath the port lazerete just aft of the ice box. Also the external heat exchanger is mounted there as well. These items will almost certainly need removal. Further, it is possible that removing the engine's containment box on the port and aft side might allow enough extra inches of manipulation room in order find a way out for the thing. Certainly, if the size of the lazerette openings are smaller than the tank size, then ...

... I have seen info here-and-there about alternative solutions such as cutting a hole in the side of a leaking tank, wire brushing the bottom, then laying down a bed of epoxy to seal. Or even injecting a bladder into the tank. These options I think would require a specialist to be confident of a successful outcome. Another option might be to somehow cut the tank apart into a couple of smaller pieces so it can be removed. Then replace with a new plastic tank somewhat smaller that would fit in easily. Or maybe two smaller tanks combined so that the total storage remains the current ~30gallons.

Good luck. Let us know how you did it! I am sure that other models of Cherubini Hunters also have tight tolerances for the fuel tank. So your recount will be useful to know.
 
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RTB

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Dec 2, 2009
152
Hunter 36_ 80-82 Kemah, Texas
I have the same layout on my Hunter 36 (1982). The tank is not coming out this way for sure.
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?media/eaten-by-boat.7053/
I suspect that you can move the engine over, and remove the tank through that panel over the engine (maybe!) If not, you'll have to cut it up to get it out.
I suggest that you install one of these and once inside the tank, use some Splash Zone to seal the leaking area of the tank. If like mine, your lowest part of the tank will be near the forward section of the tank. There is a vertical baffle in the middle of the tank, so you need to have some idea where the actual leak is. There are a few pics of the inside of my tank in that album showing the access plate. This is the part I used - http://www.seabuilt.com/demo.php
https://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?media/access-port.7035/
The guy that installed mine, showed me where mine would start leaking first, where there was pitting where water would collect (the lowest part of the tank).
Best wishes. Not a fun project for sure.
Ralph