CD30 Fuel Tank

[Mario]

My boat mechanic just called with the sad news--a leak in the (original) aluminum fuel tank in our CD30 which we bought this summer. He informed me that the tank is too large to remove through the locker opening, and he expects he will have to replace the 20 gal. tank with a 15 gal. tank. (No big deal to have a smaller tank, IMHO.) He said the boat appears to have been built around the tank, so he'll have to cut it out.

Anyone have any experience with this project?

Thanks--

Mario



forenzic@aol.com

[BobM]

My boat mechanic just called with the sad news--a leak in the (original) aluminum fuel tank in our CD30 which we bought this summer. He informed me that the tank is too large to remove through the locker opening, and he expects he will have to replace the 20 gal. tank with a 15 gal. tank. (No big deal to have a smaller tank, IMHO.) He said the boat appears to have been built around the tank, so he'll have to cut it out.

Anyone have any experience with this project?

Thanks--

Mario

Mario:

Have you thought of trying to repair with expoxy in lieu of replacing the tank?

Bob



Ranger1442@hotmail.com

[Olli Wendelin]

Mario

This summer a buddy of mine replaced the fuel tank on his Pearson due to a leak. They removed the engine in order to get the old tank out and the new one in. My CD 30 has two 12 gallon fuel tanks. I know the engine will have to come out if they are replaced, unless I can find a narrower tank. Mine are cylinders.

If a 15 gallon tank will fit through the cockpit hatch, I would install one port and one stbd.

If you have a tank fabricated, I would recommend making it out of monel to increase the lifespan,

Lastly a CAUTION about cutting up the old tank in place. This is a definite fire/explosion hazard. Even with diesel. If you must cut in place, after pumping out and flushing, put dry ice in the tank to displace the oxygen in the tank with CO2.

Olli Wendelin
BLUE MOON
Charleston, SC



wendelin@spawar.navy.mil

[K. LeMans]

You don't say what year your CD30 is.

Mine is a 1981. The aluminum tank is labeled 17 gallons. I have removed it through the lazarette (locker) opening before. It wasn't easy, but it could be done with some persistent rotating and lifting.

K. LeMans
CD30 Raconteur



lemans@gte.net

[Mario]

Mario:

Have you thought of trying to repair with expoxy in lieu of replacing the tank?

Bob

Actually, I'm leaving this in the capable hands of the mechanic. He has maintained the boat for over 9 years for the previous owner and he knows it inside out (literally). I'm expecting to hear from him in the next few days about what our options are. He's very good at offering several options and outlining the pros and cons.

Mario