Mike's 76' 170 Rebuild

[aquasportmike]

I was looking on the Moeller site. 

I would prefer poly if I can find one that fits.  But I do like the price of the aluminum compared to the poly ones.

[RickK]

Yours is under the sole, right?  My fuel tank was inside the console, now it's under the sole.
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2714&title=170-brochure3-c1971&cat=551

[aquasportmike]

Yes, under the console.

[aquasportmike]

More progress this week.

1.  Old transom was removed, we peeled the outer glass off and will end up using as outer skin.  Inside glass was also left as it's almost 3/4" thick.  New (2) 3/4" MDO was sandwich and glassed in place. 



2.  Splash guard has also been fitted and ready for glass.



It's decision time regarding the gas tank.  Not sure if I go aluminum or poly. I called alloy metals and a 27 gal is $300.  A 15 gal poly is closer to $400, much smaller in size.

Any thoughts or preferences from past experiences?

[Capt. Bob]

The aluminum is basicly the same size as you had and as stated above, when installed and maintained correctly will last a very long time. I've only done two but both have been aluminum.

Good luck.

[RickK]

 

[larsli68]

Great work!
I went plastic tank mostly because it was readily available.

[aquasportmike]

Would you epoxy coat the aluminum tank, or not worth it?

[Capt. Bob]

Would you epoxy coat the aluminum tank, or not worth it?

Again, like the alum/poly choice, it's who you ask. Some members have applied different coatings to their aluminum tank while others (like myself) have not. Aluminum's naturally occurring oxide is in itself, a good corrosion barrier. So much so that you need to remove it before application of another coating. Either way, the key to longevity is dryness. Depending on your locale, relative humidity and temperature extremes will cause condensation to form on the tank. The coating, either applied or natural forming will protect against this. It's the moisture that gets into the "coffin" itself (via hatches,deck plates, bulkhead drains) and remains in constant contact with the tank that causes the ultimate corroding failures. Again as stated above. Keeping the tank as dry as possible is you best defense against corrosion, coating or not.

Good luck. :thumb:

[aquasportmike]

Thanks Bob.

I am leaning towards the aluminum based on cost and really the ease of replacing every 10 - 15 years (even if I have the boat that long).

Silly question:  I have been searching a lot of the old threads and when you have a link to another topic/thread in an old post how do you get that link to work with the new software?

Any ideas?

Mike

[Capt. Bob]

Silly question:  I have been searching a lot of the old threads and when you have a link to another topic/thread in an old post how do you get that link to work with the new software?
Any ideas?

Early on I noticed a glitch so I thought I understood your question but.....

I went to the Fuel Tank forums and went through a number of threads and it appears the links to websites (if they still exist) work fine. Links to earlier threads lead to the old Forum but seem to work OK now (yes the skin is different?old style) but it appears you can read the thread. I wouldn't think you would want to post (can't anyway) to the linked thread. Can you give me an example of where you are encountering a problem and we'll see what can be done.

Thanks.

[gran398]

Back to your aluminum tank question. As Bob says, if it remains dry and air is allowed to circulate, it will last much longer than 15 years. Fitz just pulled his tank cover to replace a line, his tank was replaced twenty some years ago and he reports it is still shiny new.

The downside to coatings is if there is abrasion/entry/loss of adhesion in the coating, moisture could become trapped between the coating and the aluminum.

We used this amber stuff made for airplanes to spray ours as suggested by members. It had a thin waxy viscosity. The discussion is around here somewhere probably three years back. Search "tank coating" etc. if you're interested.

Best wishes!

[aquasportmike]

What I'm having trouble with is:

Search via the search function, click on an old thread, within that thread there is another link referencing a past thread, I click on that and I get the format error "we have switched to new forum software-smf......"

Maybe it's on my end.

[RickK]

Can you paste the url to the topic that held the broken link?  Thx.

[aquasportmike]

For example, this is one I just went to in paint/topside forum.

search.php?keywords=spray+gelcoat&terms=all&author=&sc=1&sf=all&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

Which brings me to my next question for the group, looking to find a reasonable easy to use paint to re-paint my console.  I have filled holes, sanded, sanded some more and sanded.  I will prime and paint, I am going to try and spray it.

Any suggestions?

Mike