Gas tanks and soft floors on a 250 Osprey

[jaycal3]

I apologize in advance for a VERY LONG POST....Well, a few years back I acquired my 86-87 Aquasport 250 Osprey.  I had tons of questions and very few answers.  It seemed that even to the "experts" or those in the know, the specs were hard to find on this particular year and model.  Since acquiring it, I have named it, cleaned it, re-powered it, cleaned it some more, replaced some trim, refinished the floors, rewired it, and fished the hell of it.  Now I am having the soft floors fixed... Here it was the day I brought it home:


The day I named it:


Re-powered and re-wired:




The original nasty looking floors:



And the floors now:




Anyway, fast forward... I am in season 3 with my E-Tec and man I could not be happier.  Clean, efficient, powerful, quiet, smokeless, and reliable on the first key turn every time.  Even after being winterized (which couldn't be easier) she starts on the first turn every season.  Now, the floor just in front of the live well and center console had grown softer each year, and finally started flexing too much for my liking.  There were also soft spots in front of the leaning post where I stand to drive and behind the leaning post - all basically up the middle of the boat. In hindsight I should have fixed them before having the floors refinished. I finally broke down and had the marina give me a price to fix it all... As a result, I now know the 250 Osprey has two (2) 103 gallon gas tanks that sit end to end up the middle of the boat - I also know that there was so much water intrusion I am shocked the floors didnt just cave in. Here are the tanks exposed:




Were the two(2) 103 gallon tanks standard on this model?  What is the purpose of having that much gas on a boat?  206 gallons??  Also, I see the hoses are completely shot to the tanks... I am glad I had it opened up - it looks like a fire hazard and accident waiting to happen.  I use the front tank (right side fill) only.  I have a shutoff valve between the two tanks and have the rear tank off.  Is there any reason not to cap the old tank off so I cant use it?  Is it just as easy to have new hose run to it as well... pros and cons?  The tanks and area they are in are being cleaned out while the floor panels are being turned over, re-cored with a material that does not take on water, reinforced with a structure to keep them rigid and glassed.  Sorry, I dont know the terms for eveything - doing the best I can    

Is there anything else I should worry about?  The tanks are not leaking... there seems to be no foam in that area that would be saturated.  And speaking of saturated, the floor panel in the front of the center console was so saturated that  when the guy removed it and stood it up it poured water out... ridiculous.  Years of water infiltrating screw holes etc... years... like 25+.  Clearly the deck will be re-caulked, as well as sealing all the screw holes etc to prevent this from happening again... but am I missing anything?  Is there any foam in this boat?  What other concerns should I have with the amount of nastiness the tank bays are showing?

Thanks in advance, and sorry it was so long winded.
J

[wingtime]

I hate to say this but you are going to need a new fuel tank.  An aluminum tank of that age with that much corrosion on itis shot.  If it's not leaking it will.  With the ETEC you can get away with a smaller single tank.  Keep in mind that boat had thirsty twins as and option when it was new.  And fuel was CHEAP then.  The "tub" that the tank sits in is called the coffin.  The lid to the coffin is called... the coffin cover!   You are right water works its way into the floor through all the screws holes.  In time all the screws have to be removed and resealed...  this is called rebeding them.

[gran398]

Yes, the additional tank was an option. One new tank will do the job. Put a bulkhead in and the forward empty portion becomes new storage.

[redemn93]

like wingtime said, a single tank 100 gallon will be plenty with the etec.  any you really should get rid of those tanks.  they are done.

[jaycal3]

Thanks guys, and yes I understand the concern with the tanks... While its open I guess it would be the time to do it as well.  I will be talking to the marina tomorrow - When I last spoke to them they were cleaning/pressure washing everything and indicated to me the tanks were fine - unusual only from the "extra work=extra $$" standpoint...  I will report back.

I guess offshore fishing would need or possibly use that much gas, but even if it was outfitted with twins, is 206 gal necessary?  I know I dont need that much now, especially with the e-tec, but I am just curious what the original owner might have been thinking.  I like the stories behind things sometimes.  I do know the guy I got the boat from chartered it for a while - it was my uncle.

Thanks again for  the help.

[gran398]

Some of the biggest Aquasport dealers in the day were in your neck of the woods. And that boat, back then, was a big, no-nonsense proven offshore hull.  Probably special ordered with those two tanks, running twins, for tuna chunking/canyon fishing. Eighty mile run, one way.

Good on you, nice running hull too. Don't run up a big yard bill....go ahead and getcha a single tank around 150. Good resale feature if and when you decide to sell, given the hull length.

Here's a proven source close by

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9353.0

[dburr]

A good solution on the tank size would be to think carefully about what would your longest reasonable trip be running away from a fuel source and add 10% and tank up accordingly.  If you live closer to the city and run to the east end, you may want big tank(s) so you can find cheaper fuel..  A good way to spend a commute thinking about it instead of worrying about work!


Nothing wrong with separate tanks as long as you remember to burn them both down, but shut the cross feed/transfer valve when you refuel.  Closing that was the first step on the Old Man's refueling checklist.  He figured if he was going to get water in the fuel he only wanted it in one tank..  It will cost more but you may like the peace of mind.  

FWIW: This outfit makes a great minimum/no maintenance tank level indicator for a multi tank installation, my Dad had it on his boat and used it for 2 fuel tanks and the potable water tank..

http://www.thetanktender.com


And, mighty fine lookin ride!!!!  

[gcapehart]

A good solution on the tank size would be to think carefully about what would your longest reasonable trip be running away from a fuel source and add 10% and tank up accordingly.  If you live closer to the city and run to the east end, you may want big tank(s) so you can find cheaper fuel..  A good way to spend a commute thinking about it instead of worrying about work!


Nothing wrong with separate tanks as long as you remember to burn them both down, but shut the cross feed/transfer valve when you refuel.  Closing that was the first step on the Old Man's refueling checklist.  He figured if he was going to get water in the fuel he only wanted it in one tank..  It will cost more but you may like the peace of mind. 

FWIW: This outfit makes a great minimum/no maintenance tank level indicator for a multi tank installation, my Dad had it on his boat and used it for 2 fuel tanks and the potable water tank..

http://www.thetanktender.com


And, mighty fine lookin ride!!!!