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View Full Version : through bolting your tanks


victorfb
10-12-2003, 11:57 AM
i was just wondering how many of you through bolted your fuel tanks through the bottom of the hull. ive seen a few hulls this way, but havnt talked to anyone about why they would do that. seems to me there is a chance for leakage, especially while sitting. was this done on race boats only or something? i can see it then, as most come back onto the trailer after they run. but for a lake/river boat thats going to be sitting for longer periods of time, is this something to worry about?
Squirtcha?
10-12-2003, 03:44 PM
Through bolted mine Victor. No leaks. Here's a couple pics.
http://jetboat.homestead.com/files/boltinside2.JPG
http://jetboat.homestead.com/files/bolthead2.JPG
http://jetboat.homestead.com/files/bolthead1.JPG
http://www.homestead.com/jetboat/files/P1010002t.jpg
[ October 12, 2003, 04:47 PM: Message edited by: Squirtcha? ]
LUVNLIFE
10-12-2003, 06:27 PM
I through bolted mine on a 19' Daytona. I placed wood on the inside that was then glassed in for support. Only problem was it was a lightened hull and they eventually leaked. Might work fine in a regular hull though.
BrendellaJet
10-12-2003, 07:21 PM
Squirtcha's look like a clean install. Mine were done this way and leaked like F'in crazy. I probably could have selaed them up, but since I was in the position to patch them(boat is upside down) I did so, A total of 7 holes for 1/2 inch bolts- almost sank my boat. I patched them all and will not be through bolting next time. Ill glass in some blocks and kiss those leaks good bye.
Squirtcha?
10-12-2003, 10:07 PM
I considered using blocks (scared to put holes in the bottom). Then I heard some horror stories about the blocks busting loose and fuel tanks floating around in the back of the boat.
I used a marine type sealant under the stringer washers (you can even see where it squeezed out in the pictures) and nylock type nuts so they wouldn't loosen up. I'm out just about every weekend and run in some pretty rough conditions. I ran em all season and no leaks as yet (knock on fiberglass).
Nubbs
10-13-2003, 06:54 AM
Mine are through bolted, except they're countersunk on the underside of the hull. I used silicon to seal the bolts and I haven't had any leaks yet.