Instead of sailing I'm stuck in the yard with dirty diesel. Last season the dirty fuel was pumped out and the tanks re-filled, so it’s looking as if the culprit is a leak in the keel or the centerboard trunk.
I’ve read through the history on fuel tanks, which was so helpful, and have spoken with Rick. What I’m thinking of having the yard do is to install two fuel tanks under the cockpit seats. VETUS’s11 gal tank fits, with room left over for storing the swim ladder and lines. I’m referring to these tanks as temporary, but if this works out I wouldn’t mind keeping them, and taking up the steel plates next winter just to check the keel bolts and centerboard trunk.
Anybody want to weigh in with opinions? I would appreciate hearing some. One concern is the keel bolts. When I had the hull dried out—that was in the last century--the keel bolts were pencil thin; I had them replaced with stainless. Has anybody encountered bolt problems? Another concern is whether the weight of the fuel, on the keel, is necessary for minimizing the leak, or whether I can have the diesel pumped out now. Anything else I should be thinking about? Thanks, Jan
I’ve read through the history on fuel tanks, which was so helpful, and have spoken with Rick. What I’m thinking of having the yard do is to install two fuel tanks under the cockpit seats. VETUS’s11 gal tank fits, with room left over for storing the swim ladder and lines. I’m referring to these tanks as temporary, but if this works out I wouldn’t mind keeping them, and taking up the steel plates next winter just to check the keel bolts and centerboard trunk.
Anybody want to weigh in with opinions? I would appreciate hearing some. One concern is the keel bolts. When I had the hull dried out—that was in the last century--the keel bolts were pencil thin; I had them replaced with stainless. Has anybody encountered bolt problems? Another concern is whether the weight of the fuel, on the keel, is necessary for minimizing the leak, or whether I can have the diesel pumped out now. Anything else I should be thinking about? Thanks, Jan