I have a 1984 Hunter 37C. I'm having dirty fuel issues and want to install fuel tank inspection plates to assist in keeping the tank cleaned out. I can see where one baffle is located but can't quite see if there is a second or third baffle. Does anyone know? And is the tank aluminum or stainless?
H37C Fuel Tank
- Thread starter SlowFlight
- Start date
On my 1983 HC37 the tank is aluminum.
There is a removable cover located at the bow end of the quarter berth that allows viewing of the fuel gauge. Just adjacent to the gauge is the manufactures name plate. You may be able to get some information off of that.
There is a removable cover located at the bow end of the quarter berth that allows viewing of the fuel gauge. Just adjacent to the gauge is the manufactures name plate. You may be able to get some information off of that.
When I had Valhalla a 1985 H37C I cleaned out the fuel tank. As I recall there is a fuel guage pick up in the forward end of the tank and as I recall only one baffle. The fuel guage opening is over the lowest part of the tank so it is easy to clean out any gunk.
Alan J, Port Jefferson NY
Alan J, Port Jefferson NY
Upon further review the name plate was
Florida Marine Tanks
PT # FMT-38-SV-38
Gauge Thck .125
Man 10/82 (which I think is October 1982)
I second what Alan wrote about the lowest part of the tank being right under the fuel gauge. Let us know how you progress.
Florida Marine Tanks
PT # FMT-38-SV-38
Gauge Thck .125
Man 10/82 (which I think is October 1982)
I second what Alan wrote about the lowest part of the tank being right under the fuel gauge. Let us know how you progress.
Update 01-17-2017 and follow up question:
The tank is aluminum and so far I can only detect one baffle.
I have bought two access plates and have already installed the first access plate. I've cleaned the first section and I'm getting ready to cut the second hole for the next access plate. After I finish cleaning the tank, is there a recommended product for coating the tank to avoid future growth or do I just treat the fuel with a biocide?
Thank you for your quick and informative replies.
The tank is aluminum and so far I can only detect one baffle.
I have bought two access plates and have already installed the first access plate. I've cleaned the first section and I'm getting ready to cut the second hole for the next access plate. After I finish cleaning the tank, is there a recommended product for coating the tank to avoid future growth or do I just treat the fuel with a biocide?
Thank you for your quick and informative replies.
SlowFlight, I'm unaware of a coating that would have antigrowth properties, and if one exists I would think it would be very tough to get evenly distributed around the insides of the tank. A biocide should keep you in relatively good shape.
I hope you don't mind my asking, why do you have two different logons? SlowFlight, and SlowFlight6850? I'm wondering if 6850 is a NACA airfoil.
At the other end of the spectrum from slow flight, the Bell X1-E had an empty weight of 6850 pounds, but that's a bit of a reach.
I hope you don't mind my asking, why do you have two different logons? SlowFlight, and SlowFlight6850? I'm wondering if 6850 is a NACA airfoil.
At the other end of the spectrum from slow flight, the Bell X1-E had an empty weight of 6850 pounds, but that's a bit of a reach.
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SFS,
I'll be using both Clear-Diesel (to continue tank cleaning) and Diesel-Kleen (to enhance fuel burn - a "cetane booster") at EVERY tank-fill on the recommendation of a friend who is a well respected marine surveyor around here. He said "I add both Clear-Diesel (to continue tank cleaning) and Diesel-Kleen (to enhance fuel burn - a "cetane booster") at EVERY tank-fill, and have continued to have absolutely clear, good-running diesel for several years now -- I finally changed out primary Racor filter-element after FIVE years last month, and truthfully there was no need; it was very very contaminant-free!"
As to the two log-ins...
I had signed on to sailboatowners years ago but had trouble signing in one time so I started another log-in.
As to the 6850...
My first boat was a Catalina 22 which I sailed with my dad several times. On our second day sail, I noticed Dad was leaning back in the cockpit staring up at the sail for quite a while. I asked him "what are you looking at?" He pointed up and said "Isn't that your phone number?" I hadn't yet noticed the sail number which was also the hull number. I looked up and sure enough. I had bought a boat that matched my long time phone number 6850. 13 years later I sold the 22 and bought a 1973 Catalina 27. After the purchase was complete I decided to read the survey again and noticed that the displacement of the boat was 6850 pounds. Four years later I started looking for my next boat and considered a 1984 Catalina 38. As I was looking through the specs for it I noticed that the ballast was 6850 pounds. I ended not buying that boat due to too many maintenance issues in the survey. Then a good friend offered me a great deal on his 1984 Hunter 37C. After checking out the boat I decided to give up on the 6850 thing and buy this really good Hunter 37C. I had it surveyed by the above referenced surveyor and found only minor issues which I could work on in my own sweet time. After taking possession I was looking through the survey and 6850 jumped out at me again. It is the ballast of my new boat.
I have really liked all three of my boats (each named Slow Flight) and felt they were each excellent buying decisions.
Skip Meisch s/v Slow Flight 6850
I'll be using both Clear-Diesel (to continue tank cleaning) and Diesel-Kleen (to enhance fuel burn - a "cetane booster") at EVERY tank-fill on the recommendation of a friend who is a well respected marine surveyor around here. He said "I add both Clear-Diesel (to continue tank cleaning) and Diesel-Kleen (to enhance fuel burn - a "cetane booster") at EVERY tank-fill, and have continued to have absolutely clear, good-running diesel for several years now -- I finally changed out primary Racor filter-element after FIVE years last month, and truthfully there was no need; it was very very contaminant-free!"
As to the two log-ins...
I had signed on to sailboatowners years ago but had trouble signing in one time so I started another log-in.
As to the 6850...
My first boat was a Catalina 22 which I sailed with my dad several times. On our second day sail, I noticed Dad was leaning back in the cockpit staring up at the sail for quite a while. I asked him "what are you looking at?" He pointed up and said "Isn't that your phone number?" I hadn't yet noticed the sail number which was also the hull number. I looked up and sure enough. I had bought a boat that matched my long time phone number 6850. 13 years later I sold the 22 and bought a 1973 Catalina 27. After the purchase was complete I decided to read the survey again and noticed that the displacement of the boat was 6850 pounds. Four years later I started looking for my next boat and considered a 1984 Catalina 38. As I was looking through the specs for it I noticed that the ballast was 6850 pounds. I ended not buying that boat due to too many maintenance issues in the survey. Then a good friend offered me a great deal on his 1984 Hunter 37C. After checking out the boat I decided to give up on the 6850 thing and buy this really good Hunter 37C. I had it surveyed by the above referenced surveyor and found only minor issues which I could work on in my own sweet time. After taking possession I was looking through the survey and 6850 jumped out at me again. It is the ballast of my new boat.
I have really liked all three of my boats (each named Slow Flight) and felt they were each excellent buying decisions.
Skip Meisch s/v Slow Flight 6850
What access plate are you using? What kind of fasteners are you using? Pictures?
I'm using a SEABUILT Access Plate System from Fisheries Supply (fisheriessupply.com). It is specifically for water and diesel aluminum tanks. The plates are 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum and the bolts and nuts are 316 stainless. The backing plate is in two pieces so it can fit inside the tank. It uses thick rubber gaskets inside and outside the tank. The 8 bolts are permanently pressed into the backing plate pieces. Nuts, washers and lock washers are all included. I'm using the 8" model which has a 6" opening which is large enough for me to reach in all the way to my shoulder.
Thanks for the pictures and information.
FWIW I contacted Florida Marine Tanks with the details from the nameplate on the tank and they emailed me they can build an identical replacement tank for $600 FOB (free on board) in Hendersen North Carolina.
FWIW I contacted Florida Marine Tanks with the details from the nameplate on the tank and they emailed me they can build an identical replacement tank for $600 FOB (free on board) in Hendersen North Carolina.