keel bolts in fuel tank glassed over

David

.
Jun 17, 2004
115
Macgregor 26x Morecambe
We just finished cleaning the original fuel tanks and removing the water tanks. See the pictures here: http://reno2.com/alden/images/949/Reno/20050123/

The pictures aren't great, but they show something interesting. From what I've heard, most Challengers have the keel bolts visible from within the fuel tanks. Mine aren't; seems like someone upgraded it by glassing them over. Look at this photo: http://reno2.com/alden/images/949/Reno/ ... 1.jpg.html
What do you think of this? Should I cut out the glass and inspect the bolts or just let it be? I'm leaning towards cutting one of them open just to see what's under it!

Regarding the water tanks, these look original to me, stainless steel? Unfortunately no access port, so I need to identify some sort of access port that I can buy and bolt to the top. Any ideas? I'm thinking two ports/lids that screw off, one on each side.
 

TomY

Alden Forum Moderator
Jun 22, 2004
2,759
Alden 38' Challenger yawl Rockport Harbor
Nice to seel what the tanks look like.

If I went that far, I think I would look into having two aluminum tanks built as Alden prescribes. But I have no idea how much they would cost or how involved the installation would be. I think I would replace the plates with less bolts for easy inspection.

On leaking, I can't think of any place other than the keel bolts the internal tanks can leak through. I don't believe there is any way for it to leak through the centerboard trunk area but check that out.

Keep us posted.
 
Jun 22, 2004
47
Hunter 35 St Augustine
Fuel Tanks

I found the leak to my fuel tanks were at the connection to the centerboard trunk. The whole length showed failure.