New Gas Tank for our Columbia 34

[1970Columbia34]

The old gas tank was failing and could only hold about 12 gal with out leaking, the new tank is all stainless steel and holds about 29 gal. The tank location was under the dinette seat, not the best place for it and we talke about relocating it but a new non-leaking tank in the same location should be fine.

[camaraderie]

...before you get everything bolted away...have you considered adding an access port so you can clean out the sludge/water when needed?

[1970Columbia34]

you mean in the tank or in the seat of the dinette, the dinette seat has a access board, but I assume you are taking about the tank. The send unit hole is about 2.5" so you have some access but its to late now we just got home and the tank is setting in a bed or drying epoxy 2 hrs away right now.

[Faster]

I'd take Cam's advice.

Having a re-sealable hand/arm sized (6" diameter) access on the top (and actually one for each baffled section) is VERY useful if you should ever get an issue with algae or other contaminants requiring a tank cleanout.

It looks like you have room, and it could easily be added in place before you add fuel and use the tank. A hole saw or a dremel type tool could be used to cut the hole. A gasketed bolt down cover would do the trick after that.

We have two such access ports, but a 3 compartment tank so we could only do a thorough clean out on 2 compartments.

Now's the time to do this! If it's not possible be fanatically religious about filtering (or at least screening) your fuel whenever you fill the tank.

[sailingdog]

Also, is that a gas tank or diesel. I'd be a bit leary of having a gas tank inside the cabin, as gasoline fumes can be quite dangerous. Diesel fumes are not as much of a problem... so generally it would be okay.

I agree with the previous posters about having a clean out port above each baffled compartment (for a diesel tank). It is a baffled tank, right???

[1970Columbia34]

Yes it is a gas tank, not diesel, and its in the cabin. I talked to several people about its location and decided that a new no leaking gas tank that is fully sealed should not be a issue.

[camaraderie]

Oh...you don't need or want additional access to a gas tank...only diesel. Forget my suggestion!

[sailingdog]

extra holes in a gasoline tank are generally unwise.