Listees
My 1981 DeFever 60 "Esperanza" has two 350 gallon fuel tanks in the bilge
under the two forward staterooms. In addition there are four other tanks in
the engine room.
Much to my dismay, after I had the tanks cleaned and I then filled them with
diesel for the winter. When I checked on the boat last month, I noticed fuel
collecting in the bilge, apparently leaking from these tanks. I have since
pumped the fuel from these tanks and now have a dilemma.
Should I fix the tanks, or abandon them? I really don't need the fuel
capacity as we still have 1,800 gallons of capacity on board. Sufficient for
a non-stop trip from Seattle to Alaska and most of the return trip.
One proposed fix involved opening the tanks, cleaning and coating the
insides with a two part epoxy. Very involved as a new access port needs to
be cut into the tanks, baffles removed, clean inside, coat with epoxy,
replace baffles etc etc....Cost about $7,000 plus for the two tanks.
In one of the newsletters I recall a reference to Splashzone as a
recommended fix which Arthur DeFever has suggested.
Questions:
1) Has anybody had experience with Splashzone? Does it work? How is it
applied. Where can I find it?etc.
2) Has anyone opened up their tanks and applied the epoxy to the
inside - effectively building new tank inside the old?
3) Should I remove old tanks and install several smaller tanks in their
place. Again - I really don't need the capacity at the present time, but
could in the future.
4) Abandon them and fill them with sand for ballast - ballast is
needed.as
she rides bow high without fuel in the forward tanks.
Since I could use a larger holding tank, one suggestion was to fix the tanks
and convert one to a holding tank. Bigger job yet, since it would have to
totaly replumbed to convert it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Don and Glenda Sorensen
DF60 Esperanza
Seattle - but live in Dallas
DonAERGO@worldnet.att.net
Listees
My 1981 DeFever 60 "Esperanza" has two 350 gallon fuel tanks in the bilge
under the two forward staterooms. In addition there are four other tanks in
the engine room.
Much to my dismay, after I had the tanks cleaned and I then filled them with
diesel for the winter. When I checked on the boat last month, I noticed fuel
collecting in the bilge, apparently leaking from these tanks. I have since
pumped the fuel from these tanks and now have a dilemma.
Should I fix the tanks, or abandon them? I really don't need the fuel
capacity as we still have 1,800 gallons of capacity on board. Sufficient for
a non-stop trip from Seattle to Alaska and most of the return trip.
One proposed fix involved opening the tanks, cleaning and coating the
insides with a two part epoxy. Very involved as a new access port needs to
be cut into the tanks, baffles removed, clean inside, coat with epoxy,
replace baffles etc etc....Cost about $7,000 plus for the two tanks.
In one of the newsletters I recall a reference to Splashzone as a
recommended fix which Arthur DeFever has suggested.
Questions:
1) Has anybody had experience with Splashzone? Does it work? How is it
applied. Where can I find it?etc.
2) Has anyone opened up their tanks and applied the epoxy to the
inside - effectively building new tank inside the old?
3) Should I remove old tanks and install several smaller tanks in their
place. Again - I really don't need the capacity at the present time, but
could in the future.
4) Abandon them and fill them with sand for ballast - ballast is
needed.as
she rides bow high without fuel in the forward tanks.
Since I could use a larger holding tank, one suggestion was to fix the tanks
and convert one to a holding tank. Bigger job yet, since it would have to
totaly replumbed to convert it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Don and Glenda Sorensen
DF60 Esperanza
Seattle - but live in Dallas
DonAERGO@worldnet.att.net
