H37C Fuel Tank

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FredV

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Oct 16, 2011
148
Hunter 37-cutter Philadelphia, PA
Either I'm just not using the right keywords to search on, or this is a topic most want to avoid, because I found very little info, except ...

In the "Fuel Tank" post in the H37C Knowledgebase section, everyone seems to agree that the tank is on the port side under the aft cabin berth. However on my 37-C, the original fuel tank is starboard of the aft cabin directly behind the engine compartment, with fill cap access from the starboard locker. Since my boat is one of the earlier models (hull#11), was this design changed on later models?

Anyway, the PO installed a new fuel tank in the lazarette, but obviously wasn't motivated to remove the original tank. I may be nuts, but I would like to do just that as there's a heck of a lot of stowage space down there! I'm thinking my Sawzall should be able to cut through the aluminum walls fairly easily, so maybe half a day (OK, OK, maybe 2 days!) of cutting and I'll be rid of the thing. Has anyone already done this? Any thoughts?

Another question:
How does one gain access to the steering quadrant? Unless I remove the old fuel tank, the only way I can think of would be to hire a seriously height-challenged midget to crawl down the starboard locker. Perhaps there was access through the lazarette before mine was closed off with the new fuel tank? Or did anyone cut an access hole way back in the aft cabin?

Thanks for any and all help!
 
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Blaise

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Jan 22, 2008
359
Hunter 37-cutter Bradenton
Midnight Sun is hull number 42 delivered December of 1978. If your tank is not under the port quarter berth it is nor original. I have been on number 22 and the tank is also under the port quarterberth. I went thru the plant in october of 1978 and the tank was under the port quarterberth. Hope this helps.
 
rivettw

rivettw

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May 3, 2009
88
H Cherubini 37 Madisonville, La., Pontchartrain
I've got Hull# 10 and mine is on the port side under the quarter berth.
Maybe yours wasn't original or added later for longer range stuff.
Wally
 
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FredV

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Oct 16, 2011
148
Hunter 37-cutter Philadelphia, PA
Hmmm...not quite what I was expecting to hear! I've included some photos to try to show what I'm looking at and why I'm confused. The tank just looks way too big for it to be a PO mod - how did he get it in there?

Photo 1: This is looking aft from the (empty) engine compartment. I added a red X on the right to show where the round access plate from the aft cabin is located.

Photo 2: This is looking down the starboard cockpit locker.

Photo 3: This is a closeup of the label on top of the tank as seen in Photo 2.

So, do I now have 3 fuel tanks??
 

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rivettw

rivettw

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May 3, 2009
88
H Cherubini 37 Madisonville, La., Pontchartrain
Definitely looks original. Same Florida plate as mine. Same gals. Different location. But...I have an original Marine Air A/C compressor where yours is. Or I should say I "think" its original. Did yours have original A/C ?
Wally
 
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Eric B

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Nov 24, 2012
3
Hunter 37C Newport OR
FredV, mine is in the same location as what you have, centered behind the motor. Hull #3 and it is original, no way to get it in with the deck on.
 
F

FredV

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Oct 16, 2011
148
Hunter 37-cutter Philadelphia, PA
OK, so it is the original tank. I assume the PO installed the other tank in the lazarette because the original failed somehow, presumably dirty and/or leaked. So now I'll need to consider options:

  • Remove the original tank - that will give me tons of room back there, but then I'm stuck with the smaller tank in the lazarette.
  • Remove both tanks and install a new one in a better location - that will presumably give me more room for other stuff, and larger fuel capacity, but sounds like it may cost a small fortune.
  • Fix the original tank - that will give me more fuel capacity, plus I could then remove the lazarette tank to gain some space.

Any thoughts on which option makes the most sense? And if anyone has info, advice and/or links to relevant posts, I could sure use some help figuring out how to clean/fix an old fuel tank, and/or what options there are for installing a new one.

Thanks!
 
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Water Bill

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Nov 22, 2008
22
84 Hunter 37c bradenton
This company is still in business in Henderson NC (305-620-9030). When I called the rep said they have the prints for the tanks of the 37C a year ago. Order a new fuel tank that fits under the quarter berth.
 
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FredV

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Oct 16, 2011
148
Hunter 37-cutter Philadelphia, PA
This may make me seem somewhat masochistic, but I think I've decided to remove both the original tank and the other one in the lazarette, and replace them with a new tank. Since there's no engine in the boat at the moment, now seems to be the opportune time to do it.

Does anyone have any experience with and/or opinions about the plastic/nylon type fuel tanks, like those from Moeller? Any other suggestions?

All ideas are appreciated!
 
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