Fuel tank access on an 81 h27

[J Cianflone]

Has anyone pulled the fuel tank out of a 1981 Hunter 27 for cleaning?..My 1980 Hunter had the tank on the starboard side (easy access) but my 81 has it directly behind the engine under the cockpit floor(not so easy access). Am I better off dropping some coin for a pro to clean it where it is or am I missing something for an easy removal? Thought about an access hole in the cockpit floor and top of tank. My 80 had a soft cockpit floor from improperly drilled holes. Replaced that core (brown mushy substance) and don't want to do it again. The less holes the better on a boat. I am using a 6 gallon portable fuel tank in the meantime and with the way this yanmar sips fuel I may stick with it. Has anyone has success w/ additives to prolong fuel life in hot climates...Once it is clean I would need to prohibit the growth also...thanks I just replaced my 110 jib w/ a new 125...I highly recommend the change

 

[Tom H]

Tank cleaning

I had the same problem with my boat, same model same year, and ended up getting access thru the fill hose port. I bought a large box of white cotten rags and used a metal rod, about the dia. of a coat hanger with an eye formed in the end, to swab out the tank. I started with dry rags and then went to rags soaked with clean diesel. I finished off with lacquer thinner. The process took longer than I would have liked but I think it was worth the effort. The fuel hoses were all replaced and the steel fuel lines were cleaned out with Carb cleaner. I replaced the copper seals on the steel lines on re-assembly. I replaced the primary filter with a Racor that had a screw on filter, clear bowl with a drain, and a long stroke priming pump made into the filter housing. Because the tank is small I add diesel additive, biocide, to the 5 gallons I fill from the jerry can each time I add fuel.