Catalina 27 fuel tank issues

n0w0rries · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

Does anybody have any experience with removing the 17 gal fuel tank from a 1980 Catalina 27? I'm not sure if I'm getting water in my tank, or if it's dying from the inside out and needs to be replaced. Going to go mess with it tomorrow. Don't want to blow myself up. I didn't see any vent on the side of the hull, so I guess I'll find out where it goes tomorrow. Also going to cut some of filters in half to see what kinda stuff is in them.

Can you get the tank out through the hatch without cutting it (the hatch or the tank)? It looks like it might fit thru. Not looking forward to working on this! But having an unreliable iron genny is a drag!

smackdaddy · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

I have an OB - so I got nothin' for you. Except, of course, don't smoke while you're working.

deniseO30 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

if it's diesel your pretty safe, if it's gas..

pdqaltair · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0w0rries

Does anybody have any experience with removing the 17 gal fuel tank from a 1980 Catalina 27? I'm not sure if I'm getting water in my tank, or if it's dying from the inside out and needs to be replaced. Going to go mess with it tomorrow. Don't want to blow myself up. I didn't see any vent on the side of the hull, so I guess I'll find out where it goes tomorrow. Also going to cut some of filters in half to see what kinda stuff is in them.

Can you get the tank out through the hatch without cutting it (the hatch or the tank)? It looks like it might fit thru. Not looking forward to working on this! But having an unreliable iron genny is a drag!

..might solve your problem, and would be a good investment in reliability, gas or diesel. The smallest size with a drain and clear bowl is what you need.

norsearayder · #5 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

my bro is rehabing a 27 cat.he had a dirty tank and was able to unhook it and remove from boat where he was able to clean it

mitiempo · #6 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

I replaced the tank on my CS27 earlier this year. It wasn't that hard to do and allowed me to inspect areas previously hidden. If your tank is steel as it probably is and is original it probably needs replacing. A good plastic or custom stainless tank would be good choices. The fuel vent probably exits high up on the transom.
Brian

swimnfit · #7 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

Hey NOworries... This would probably be agreat question to ask of the catalina 27 owners forum.
IC27/270A Website
They have a pretty active owners group and I remember somewhere a thread talking about the messy business of replacing a fuel tank.

mitiempo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

It's not that messy as long as you make sure the tank is empty first.
Brian

n0w0rries · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

It's gas. It's aluminum. Previous owner says it's not original, and it was inspected last spring and supposedly didn't have the tank cancer.

I'm guessing the vent is under the starboard aft facing scoop on the transom, but I haven't looked at it yet. Besides a loop are there any other tricks to keep water out?

I was going to get a Racor, but since the bowl has to be metal it kinda defeats the purpose? I figured at $13/ea I'm using Fleetguard water seperator filters I can buy a lot of those for the cost of the Racor.

I'm going down to go kayaking tomorrow (forecast only calls for 5-6 knots of wind)... will post what I find. I'll try that C27 forum too.

mitiempo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009

noworries
The problem with an aluminum tank is anywhere that water is against the tank wall as in the wood supports it sits on - breeding ground for corrosion when wet which on a boat is often and once wet it doesn't dry completely.
The vent doesn't need anything more than a loop and a screen on the vent itself to keep bugs out. It should be in the centre of the transom though otherwise with a full tank and on port tack the fuel could travel out the vent.
Brian