gas tank hatch

[bayman]

Want to pick your brains on an idea I had. I took the fuel tank out of my ccp and because I am only useing it for work I was going to go with a 24 gallon above deck tank. since im not going to put a tank back into the fuel tank belly i was going to split it in two and use the front section to put my batteries ( standerd deck hatch opening). I was going to use the back half for storage but instead of useing a small hatch to access the area i was thinking about cutting the tank cover and useing a heavy duty piano hinge and kind of makke it like the fish hold hatch cover. your thoughts on that idea?

[Capt. Bob]

Different for sure but then your use is different.

Moving the batteries forward under the console is SOP with several CCP members so nothing unusual about that. Yours of course will be lower (I believe you removed or relocated the console) just under deck rather than on top.

I can't recall anyone creating space that large in the original tank coffin but still not a big deal. You have a working CCP and I see no reason not to utilize that empty space.

A pic or two would be nice.  

Good luck

[bayman]

Yea i figured it wouldent be that drastic of a thing. I am installing a pilot house where the center console would have sat.As for the gas tank coffin im not sure what size the tank was that went in it but it is pretty big and deep. the boat was once a coastie boat so maybe that has somthing to do with it

[Capt. Bob]

OEM tank size for a 222 CCP was 85 gals.

[GoneFission]

OK - not sure here - where are you going to put and secure (AYBC?) your fuel tank?

[gran398]

Having that weight deep in the hull....it's there for a reason. Don't mean to play the devil's advocate here, and not sure of your usage...but...the hull was designed for seaway entry, with that weight specifically placed.

[bayman]

I am using the boat as a close to shore commercial fishing boat. My plan was to throw the batteries foreword in the tank belly+ I got the 3/4 marine ply enclosed in glass pilot house siting where the console would have been. I have no need for 85 gallons of fuel along with the bill that would have came along with getting a tank made up.  My plan was to use a 24 gallon tank and then strap it to the deck.

[bayman]

I will also be using a hatch Instead of halving the tank belly cover just to try to make it dry storage

[gran398]

Gotcha.

And please understand, not trying to "correct" or be King Neptune. The point being, the boat was designed to hold the weight down low, that is, right above the bilge. Two batts totaling 80 pounds is different than 50 gallons of gas at 375 pounds. The boat will run/entry better with the weight down low per design.

How about the 24 gallons go below-decks somewhere amidships, then use the rest for storage?

Just thinking of how she'll run...and getting the tank off the deck sure makes for easier catching, pulling pots, etc. Just something to think on.

[bayman]

I understand what you are saying it was a concern for me too I would rather have a topside tank. Maybe I can toss some bags of sand in there for ballast at the lowest point of the belly.i really wanna stay away from putting a tank in a enclosed area.

[gran398]

Good deal. Hope you tear 'em up this season

[dburr]

Maybe I can toss some bags of sand in there for ballast at the lowest point of the belly.i really wanna stay away from putting a tank in a enclosed area.

I understand the trepidation for a below decks tank..

BUT!

With the 22(?) degree deadrise, shifting weight up high is going to be a problem.  Adding ballast is going to cost you money in wasted fuel everytime you run and it ends up being less useful revenue load (fish/oysters etc) you can carry.  Removing the weight down low of the fuel of the stock tank and then mounting a 24 gallon tank roughly 12-18 inches higher will turn the boat into a rolling machine in a beam sea and it will take nothing to get her rolling.  She will try to roll you out of the boat especially if/when you add the weight of a ply and glass house.  Putting the batteries low is a great idea but as Scotty said, it's only like 80 lbs. It's a good start, but not the complete answer..

Please really consider what the Brethren are saying and look into mounting the tank as low as you can get it, especially since you are taking out weight low in the boat and adding the house.  We are all in this together and want you to have a great riding work platform that will keep you safe and earn you $$  

21 years ago I modified an old 24 foot Thunderbird Formula (24degree deadrise) and took the below deck tank out. I couldn't afford to do anything other then above deck tanks and although the ride was smooth running into or off a sea, I could not run, troll or drift beam to. If I did the risk was real of getting tossed out.  The boat was way to light with the big tank removed and became really tender. The rolling moment was too fast and got dangerous in a 2-3 foot chop and it would be a real bummer for the same to happen to you..

Best of luck!

[Capt. Bob]

I love what if so........

24 gals at let's say 6.1 lbs per = 146.4 plus the weight of the tank and mounting devices. A poly that size weights about 20 lbs and add 5 lbs for mounting = 171.4+/- so let's say 175 lbs. Similar to a grown man in decent shape.

Now the man stays above the deck while the fuel is below but.....
During the work day, the man sweats out about 5 lbs of water for cooling and poison removal where as the fuel tank looses 6.1 pounds with every gallon of burn. Depending on the motor, the sea condition and time, that will result in a non replaced loss in ballast below the deck. I know it happens every time I go out.

So if this is a deal breaker, put some ballast below (tools, parts, rope, sand or whatever). You will have more weight below at the end of the day than you would if just fuel was below. Remember, if it gets so bad on the way in, get one of your crew to climb into the hatch.

[bayman]

so i was thinking about putting s smaller tank in the belly say half of the size of the belly itself.What are your feelings of useing the other half to put the bats in ? can this be a ignigtion hazard? how could i vent the tank section?

[CLM65]

Since we're throwing ideas out there, have you thought about putting a fresh water tank in the space below the deck?  Granted it would get lighter as you emptied it, but if you just used it to rinse off your gear at the end of the day, it may be a decent solution.