1974 19-6 aquasport center console - checking belly tank

[kevinr]

Hello - i'm a newb from east Texas who just picked up an auquasport center console - 1974. i'm looking for info on how to uncover the belly tank so i can see what shape its in. i see the panel, which looks like it extends under the console. What do i need to remove to pull the top panel? i assume pulling the panel is the best way to see the majority of the tank and assess its condition?

i'm sure i'll be full of questions. thanks in advance for assistance. i'm pretty stoked about my classic boat and ready to get it out on galveston bay.

Kevin

[GoneFission]

You will need to raise up the console to get the cover off, but usually you don't have to disconnect things.  Check out the Gallery section - there are several tank replacements with lots of good pics to lead you through the process.  I would expect a '74 to leak if it's the original tank...   

[RickK]

We have a forum just for what you're looking to do - https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?board=35.0

[kevinr]

The link you suggested takes me back to the forum I posted in, which is specific to fuel tanks. Am I confused?

[kevinr]

I pulled the console and the access panel. The top layer of foam was soaked (the back half) so I removed it. The foam on the sides is dry but brittle so I'm taking it out. Since I'm doing all that I'm going to pull the tank, clean it out and coat it. When I put it back in, I'm going to elevate it slightly so I can refoam it.

Question - what is the best way to level the top layer so it fully supports the panel when I step on it?

[RickK]

The link you suggested takes me back to the forum I posted in, which is specific to fuel tanks. Am I confused?

No, you're not confused. I was pointing out the 430+ topics in that forum that could help you figure out the question you had.

[kevinr]

ok - i read enough threads that I am going to do the Pascoe bit putting the tank back in - no foam (which makes perfect sense because wet foam is the issue that caused this little adventure). on the top of the tank - how can i fill the space between it and the access panel? I'm a big guy and i dont want that panel flexing or breaking. Seems like there should be some extra support.

[RickK]

How much room do you have from the tank top to the bottom of the lid coring?  Is the lid coring still sound or does it need to be recored?

[kevinr]

Lid core is super sound (as is rest of deck and transom). the water only penetrated the top layer of foam and was down in it, not floating. I'd say there is about 3-4 inches between the access panel and top of tank.

[RickK]

You might consider taking a good look at the room you have, especially what you have to avoid like hoses, sending unit and such in the area that you want to support. Pics would help us.  Also a pic of the top and bottom of the lid, oriented as it would sit, this will help us understand the size of what you want to beef up. Then maybe you could laminate up some composite material that you can attach to the bottom of the lid and that composite would nestle down onto the top of the tank when the lid is installed. Like a composite 2x4? Maybe 2 pieces of this composite 2x4 glassed onto the bottom of the lid, on edge in different places?

[kevinr]

there are a couple of other threads associated with this initial question, but the outcome is worth stating in case it might help anyone else.

In the end, i decided to pull the tank even though i couldnt smell or see a gas leak and the only water was on the top layer of foam. A shovel is great for the top layer (with caution). A pressure washer gets down in the small spaces and eats even crystalized foam out if you have enough pressure. in the end, the 1/8" of foam under the tank had turned to a glass-like glue layer. I got the tank out with much pressure from a very sketchy setup that I wouldn't recommend in public :) in fact, it took so much force to break that crystalized foam layer under the tank that it ripped the fiberglass bottom of the tank coffin, which i repaired before repainting the whole coffin.

What I found as a result of all this was worth the frustration. The tank had 3 pinholes - two on top and one sneaky hole about 1/2 way down one side. It had a cracked fuel barb and a hole in the vent outlet. The straps were swiss cheese due to contact with the wet top foam and the soaked (fabric?) insulator under them. Bottom line - 53 gallons of gas in that tank would have been a big, big problem that may have gone completely unnoticed until it was too late.

Tank is back in and the hatch has been resealed. All the lines are replaced, pinholes repaired, new sending unit (with a new gauge that is NOT part of the sending unit), tank fully cleaned inside and out, now sitting on pvc board to create airflow all around. Built new straps out of aluminum stock from lowes. Pressure tested with water before reinstalling - good to go. Bunch of work but well worth the sweat equity...

[RickK]

Good job Kevin 

[Capt. Bob]