Fuel tank replacemnet

[JG]

I have a 87 17' CC with a leaking aluminium fuel tank. Is there an easy /correct way to remove it? I can cut the deck, get it out and then repair it without too
much problem so it's not the amount of work that concerns me. Also since it will be open can I change out to a larger tank? Go from a 27 gal to a 40 gal?
I love the boat, handles well in bay swell with a 120 HP outbd.
Any insight would be helpful. Thanks JG

[231CALIFORNIA]

havent done a proline  but it is an undesireable job on many boats, restoring floor and deck is often difficult. larger tank unknown until you open her up and find out if space.
open deck plates and look feel as much as you can before you cut.

[JG]

231CAL, Thanks for the reply. I was wondering are there old schematics of this hull and deck framing. I've got a snake camera to see into the "pit" but nothing beats real measurements. Thanks JG

[231CALIFORNIA]

Call proline maybe, dont count on it but who knows?

[JG]

So the weather in Texas finally dropped below 80 and I tackled the tank replacement. Got a small optical camera from a plumber friend and sized up the tank holding space. Cut a hole in the deck of the boat from the seats right to the front inside of the cowling. About 24" wide x 36" long. Popped the deck out and low and behold there was a tank completely surrounded by massive quantities of foam, stinking to high heaven with fuel [after sitting for 3 months]
Put on my coveralls and went to work cutting, chopping, chiseling and generally beating the heck out of the foam. 2 hours later I yanked out the tank and
another 2 hours later I had the last of the foam out of the tank.
This is not a job for the faint of heart or one of limited time.
I then cleaned up the tank with a wire brush on a grinder. Filled the tank with water and found 4 holes of the pin hole type on both sides. Let the tank bake in the sun for a few days. Put JB Weld on all the holes and another couple of dozen spots that had started to pit due to being in contact with the foam. Put a coat of West Epoxy on the exterior for protection. I then used a product from CASWELL plating which is a gas tank sealer on the inside. Easy to follow instructions. LOTS
of proper prep to do the job right. Again, lots of time and effort but I save over $300 verses buying a new tank. Once everything was set/dry. I tested it overnight at 5 psi with no leakage. I re=installed the tank on 1/4" x 2" strips of hard plastic exopyed to the bottom of the tank and the floor of the compartment to give some drying space around the tank. Moisture and saltwater conspired
 to destroy the old tank. I then secured the tank with fiberglassed reinforced bracing so it won't move around. Epoxy repaired the deck and it runs like a champ. Total time spent about 50 hours - 2 full weekends + 10 hours during the week in between. Making going fishing again, fun.
BTW my mechanic says he would have charged $2,500 w/ a new tank.

[Country Water]

Good work.  A tank replacement is a huge pain.  Got any pictures to post?

There aren't any users online.