Removal of fuel tank from Newport 28

[Bateau25]

Just discovered my diesel fuel tank not only has a leak but also needs to be cleaned out of 30 years of muck! Has anyone tried to remove the diesel fuel tank from a Newport 28 (Capital Yacht)? Would be grateful to know how it could be done!

Many thanks for any help on this major pain...!
Jimmy (Bateau25)

[mitiempo]

I can't help with removal ideas but if it is original I would replace instead of fix it. Any fuel tank that old is suspect and you would be really p***ed off to find another leak in the next year or so.

[Bateau25]

Hi Brian,
Good point. You're right, I might as well replace it. But I still have to yank it out under the settee as there is no other place for a 20 gal tank next to the engine. I can't even drain it properly so I can save whatever diesel there is in there!
Much appreciated your idea,
Jimmy

[Jurgy]

Saving the diesel may not be the best plan. Its old and ugly. I gave my 24 gallons to a local air port that heats the hangers with used oil.

And I replaced my tank with a five gallon size - as I only use about seven gallons a year here in Kansas City.

[Bateau25]

Do I take it that you just left the old tank in there? How did you drain it (or you didn't)?
Jimmy

[Jurgy]

Oh - and it took my five months to get all the diesel and smell out of the boat - one hell of a mess. O'Day 302

[Jurgy]

I removed the old tank - emptied and cleaned it as best I could - then duct taped the openings and re-installed so it would be there in case my boat ever found big water.

[Jurgy]

Sorry - never answered the drain question - I just used the old standard Jabsco engine oil drain pump. It moves a fair amount of product with each pump. Tank still had five gallons or so when I finally pulled it. And I replaced it not because of leaks - but I couldn't keep the fuel fresh.

[Bateau25]

Still part of my initial question - how did you pull the tank out? did you have enough space to pull it through (I don't), and how was it secured to the inside surface of the hull or to the bulkheads?
I just did some spelunking in there again but I can't see how on earth the tank can be pulled when its width is greater that the largest opening above the settee (my guess is they put the tank in when the boat was being built and before the deck was screwed or glassed on!)
Many thanks for the really useful and helpful info!

[mitiempo]

The old fuel is probably not worth keeping - and I wouldn't put ancient fuel in a new tank in any case. But removing it first will both eliminate chances of spills and make the tank lighter to lift out.

My tank is installed under the cockpit sole and above the engine. When I replaced my tank recently I had the new tank custom made and it has a drain at the bottom. There is a ball valve and a screw in plug so it will not be opened by mistake. Makes it easy to drain both to clean the tank and if removal ever becomes necessary. This is only possible with diesel.