17 ft gas coffin question

[Duramax19958]

Hey guys first off let me say thanks for all the help this forum is amazing I haven’t had to ask anything bc I’ve found all the info already answered. I’m restoring a 17ft 1976 aquasport I injected the floor and put a new transome in have spent so much time doing the whole boat right.  But the question I do have is I ordered a new tank for my rebuild and the nipple for the fuel fill sites up to supper high so I was thinking about cutting the coffin bottom out and glassing in a new spot for it to sit. Would this work or is there more of a reason I’m not seeing as to why the coffin is there? Thanks

[GoneFission]

The bottom of the tank coffin is usually very close to the top of the keel.  You probably won't pick up much room. 

[CTsalt12]

Yeah the tanks you need are crazy low to have enough clearance.  I have this issue with a stock Moeller tank my previous owner installed.  The kink in the fuel fill made it really difficult to fill it up.  This is not an approach I recommend, but I can tell you what I've done.  I do not use the fuel fill line from the tank that goes to the exterior of the boat at the gunwhales.  I fill direct to the tank via a hatch.  I cover the fuel fill "nipple" with one of these that I tighten down when I'm done: 

https://www.gamut.com/p/flexible-pipe-cap-1-1-2-pipe-size-port-1-4.3-psi-max-op-pressure-MzMxNTk4?q=955K901&utm_campaign=359835&utm_content=31518378&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Shipping_Confirmation_Complements_100617

It's not perfect at all, but just sharing what I do.  I've had it this way for years and hasn't presented any problems.  Technically not coast guard regulation though.  If you can find a good 90 degree fitting let me know!

[Duramax19958]

thanks guys. i never thought about just filling up the tank from inside the tank I could just rig something to the side of the console and glass it in.

[CTsalt12]

 

thanks guys. i never thought about just filling up the tank from inside the tank I could just rig something to the side of the console and glass it in.

When you say "rig something from the side of the console and glass it in", do you mean a fuel fill line from the tank to the outside of the console, via a hole you'd cut in the coffin cover and then the console?  I would advise against that.  I'm thinking fuel fumes inside a console where you store your batteries...big no no.  And also (I think) making this way more complicated than it needs to be.  My solution is filling direct to the tank, via a hatch in the coffin cover. 

Better yet, You can also just get a 90 degree elbow, connect that to your fill neck, and then to your main fuel fill line via an joiner.

Example of a 90 degree elbow: https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1-1-4-inch-33mm-90-degree-elbow-rubber-fuel-filler-neck-hose/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8O7bBRB0EiwAfbrTh7RW25lP2DchqUtmccpcBDol7ltrA6sG3iUB1TiduRzaLIwIxLxt1hoC2aYQAvD_BwE

Joiner: https://www.fillernecksupply.com/1-1-2-inch-fuel-filler-hose-joiner-coupling-stainless-steel/

This is what I will be doing the next time I pull my coffin cover.