Catalina 30 fuel tank

Mar 22, 2015
4
Catalina 30 Mk I San Diego
Hi everyone. I bought a '78 C30 MkI TRBS a few months ago and have been having a blast sailing her. I've been working through a lot of the systems doing maintenance and some upgrades. The boat has an Atomic 4 in it and one of the previous owners replaced the fuel tank with an aftermarket tank. The tank looks suspect so my plan is to replace it with a stock style tank and new fuel lines. The problem is that I don't know exactly how the tank is supposed to fit in the space. What I was hoping for was some pics of the fuel tank and area under the quarter berth. If anyone out there could post some pics I would be very grateful.
This is a great forum, I've already learned a bunch from it. Keep up the good work.
Thanks,
Dennis
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
Replaced my the tank on our 78' this year with one I bought from Catalina Yachts. I replaced the vent hose, vent thru hull, filler hose and filler deck fitting also. (old stuff was in pretty sad shape.)

https://svknotaclew.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/signs-of-life/

Here is a link with the best photos I had. The new tank screwed down to the stock plywood as mounts under the quarter berth, was kinda tricky to fit into the space but did fit thru the hatch. I plugged the return line port since the one Catalina sent me is a diesel tank and my A4 does not require a return.

One issue is the new feed port on the tank is under the fiberglass lip, I cleaned up the shut off valve and left it open then added another shut off valve located below the drawers in the galley as it is easy with no hatch opening to operate the valve.

The old filler hose I had to cut off the tank, ordered a new hose and 7 feet was exactly what was needed from the deck fitting to the tank. Don't forget the bonding wire from the tank to the filler fitting (if metal) as it will prevent static buildup and discharge. A good thing.
 
Mar 22, 2015
4
Catalina 30 Mk I San Diego
Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to hear from someone who has already tackled the same project.
 
Mar 22, 2015
4
Catalina 30 Mk I San Diego
I like your battery location also, was thinking of doing something similar depending on space. Anything you'd do differently if you were going to do it again? Does your boat have a water heater?
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
Hmm. Do differently? Good question.
Probably nothing.

I would rate the start battery location as ok. I had no space for it in the engine bay or port settee due to fresh water cooling hx and our waste tank and waste plumbing and thru hulls.

We do not have a water heater yet but the fw cooling on the engine makes it much more practical. It will go in the port sail locker with a water maker if we do get one.
 
Mar 22, 2015
4
Catalina 30 Mk I San Diego
Cool, thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking about installing a water heater when I do the fuel tank since the C30 had them both mounted in the same area under the quarter berth from the factory. I'm headed to the boat mañana to do some measuring. Btw I like your blog, congrats on the new baby. Thanks again for the info.