Columbia 34-2 fuel tank material

[imagine2frolic]

I drool over the 50ft. Columbias........i2f

[Martinini]

There might still be one for sale a couple of marinas over for $79 thou. has everything needed for extended cruising.

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by Martinini

There might still be one for sale a couple of marinas over for $79 thou. has everything needed for extended cruising.

Thanks, but I am not going anywhere soon where a mono will be needed. Although it may be in my future! Until then I will be sailing that red cat behind me. I just love the lines, and interior of them . I was actually looking at them before I bought my cat.......i2f

[bigchump]

To insure that the problem was with the tank we ran the engine off a five gallon fuel jug.
What really surprised me was how fast that fuel can drained -- it was empty in minutes because the return line was still in the original tank.
It was then I realized that with an electric fuel pump the fuel is being continuously run through the filters and back into the tank.
So, with a setup like mine, fuel polishing should not be necessary.

There is something in the tank that blocks the pickup tube.
It only happens when making a hard left turn.
I can spin in circles making a hard right with no problems.
Raising the pickup tube ˝ inch eliminates the problem.

It looks like the tank will have to replaced.
Does anyone have a better (and cheaper) idea?

Thanks
Jeff

[imagine2frolic]

Won't this pick up tube come out of the tank? I had similiar problem with my cat. We pulled the tanks and the pick up was full of goo. We had to blow it out once out of the tank. There were all kinds of particles in the tanks.

Including some kind of paper. The tanks are plastic, and this could be seen through the walls. I checked the tanks before periodically, and never noticed this stuff floating. I think the fuel dock was pumping up what was left in a nearly empty tank? Is it possible there is some sludge accumulating on that side of the tank? Does it sit at an angle??????......i2f

[bigchump]

Hi Imagine:
The fuel tank is level and sits under a setee.
It's a steel tank that is fiberglassed in place.
I could be wrong but I don't think plastic tanks are legal for inboards?