Went down to the boat Friday evening @ 7pm to head out for the weekend and wife said "I smell fuel". A quick look around and saw a spot on the carpet...pulled it back to find diesel in the bilge ACK! (Heart sinks to stomach) Luckly, I had mistakenly turned off the bilge pump when I was on the boat the other day. Just thought it odd that we used as much fuel, but didn't notice anything else. So unload diesel soaked carpet, pump bilge into bucket,and find leak in the aluminum fuel tank. Siphon diesel into a couple of buckets and head home fuming (no pun intended). Sat 7am head down to boat to remove fuel tank,clean bilge and look for replacement tank...no luck of course as no one who manufactures tanks is open on Saturday. Tomorrow will see if aluminum replacement is affordable or make up some cardboard "tanks" to see what "plastic" tank will fit. Any suggestions on tanks, change location on dinette model, etc.
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You don't say what size boat. If it is still in production Catalina is the best source. If not in production, they may be able to steer you toward the company that manufactured yours. They might still have the templates.
Patch??
I would be looking for a good aluminum welder and go that route. also i would look for the cause of the leak. my tank is poorly supported and could easily spring a leak (just bought the boat this spring), it will be fixxed this winter. bob
I would be looking for a good aluminum welder and go that route. also i would look for the cause of the leak. my tank is poorly supported and could easily spring a leak (just bought the boat this spring), it will be fixxed this winter. bob
Tank Replacement
I have a C-310 #23, my tank leaked about 2 years ago due to a bad weld along the entire length of the forward weld. The company who manufactures tanks for Catalina, Ezell Manufacturing, is based in Florida and they were very helpful. Due to the fact my tank was only a couple of years old they did the replacement for free, and shipped it to me within 5 days. They were terrific!! After cleaning up all the fuel we could, we began the process of flushing the bilge with cleaner, probably 50 times in total. We then put scented odor absorbers in the bilge. After about a month the smell was gone. Take any cushions or bedding out into the sun, nothing breaks down odors like the sun. Good luck on your tank removal. The placement of ours required somone 4' tall, unfortunately I am 6'2" Catalinas only assistance in this matter was to give me the phone number of Ezell
I have a C-310 #23, my tank leaked about 2 years ago due to a bad weld along the entire length of the forward weld. The company who manufactures tanks for Catalina, Ezell Manufacturing, is based in Florida and they were very helpful. Due to the fact my tank was only a couple of years old they did the replacement for free, and shipped it to me within 5 days. They were terrific!! After cleaning up all the fuel we could, we began the process of flushing the bilge with cleaner, probably 50 times in total. We then put scented odor absorbers in the bilge. After about a month the smell was gone. Take any cushions or bedding out into the sun, nothing breaks down odors like the sun. Good luck on your tank removal. The placement of ours required somone 4' tall, unfortunately I am 6'2" Catalinas only assistance in this matter was to give me the phone number of Ezell
Call Catalina
Had leaking tank in our 1983 Cat 30. Cleaned and had welded. Still leaked. Had it welded again. Still leaked through many small perforations. Called Catalina, they provided original size tank which fit perfectly. Cost was very reasonable (welding an empty fuel tank is not). That's why we have a Catalina...they do stock parts for the older boats. in or out of production.
Had leaking tank in our 1983 Cat 30. Cleaned and had welded. Still leaked. Had it welded again. Still leaked through many small perforations. Called Catalina, they provided original size tank which fit perfectly. Cost was very reasonable (welding an empty fuel tank is not). That's why we have a Catalina...they do stock parts for the older boats. in or out of production.
It would have been helpful to tell us
what year and manufacturer and size of boat. If the boat is long in the tooth, you should consider replacing with new, because the holes you found are bound to be just the first of many on the old tank.
what year and manufacturer and size of boat. If the boat is long in the tooth, you should consider replacing with new, because the holes you found are bound to be just the first of many on the old tank.
Thanks all
Sorry I forgot to mention what boat...1982 27' Catalina dinette interior. The plastic tanks are not an option as none of them will fit. Finding the leaks and patching is not an option on a 25 yr old tank. Received one quote of $330 plus shipping… 7 working days out plus shipping (?)days. I found someone local this am, and can have the tank Friday. Skyline the original mfg. of the tank no longer makes tanks. Thanks again
Sorry I forgot to mention what boat...1982 27' Catalina dinette interior. The plastic tanks are not an option as none of them will fit. Finding the leaks and patching is not an option on a 25 yr old tank. Received one quote of $330 plus shipping… 7 working days out plus shipping (?)days. I found someone local this am, and can have the tank Friday. Skyline the original mfg. of the tank no longer makes tanks. Thanks again
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