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Thread: fiberglass crack.. and fuel leaking from it? help...

  1. #1
    Burn504
    here are a few pics of what im dealing with. I have torn the carpet out of that area so that is what the orange/brown gunk is. The spot is not soft if that means anything to you gurus. This is a 1978 Kachina. Rear left corner(drivers side(left hand drive)). I assume fiberglass tanks. And only one of the tanks is doing this.
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071457.jpg
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071459.jpg
    What i do know.. Crack seen has always been there(2years). I assumed it was from the swim step, but the step is solid and so is the area around it on both sides so i didnt worry about it. Fuel started leaking a few months ago I think because the boat hasnt been in use due to the floods here in TX. While it was stored and under the cover i could smell some fuel when walking by it. Today is the first day i cleaned it up and was gonna take it out. I did not take it out obviously.
    Do not know if the crack is where the tank is leaking from or farther up on the tank and running toward the back because of the angle of the boat.
    I have been told that i need to cut the tanks out and replace....
    What are your guys thoughts on the best and easiest way to fix this?

  2. #2
    DUCKY
    Take a pic of the area from a little farther away. If I am seeing your pic right, That is the corner of the transom where the transom meets the side of the boat, and those bolts are the swim step bolts through the transom, right? If so, then is the spot with the old carpet glue is actually the fuel tank, and not the side of the boat?
    Regardless, if that is fuel leaking out, then it must be coming from the tank, and yes the tank must be removed and replaced. No one in their right mind will attempt to repair a fiberglass fuel tank.

  3. #3
    Burn504
    Take a pic of the area from a little farther away. If I am seeing your pic right, That is the corner of the transom where the transom meets the side of the boat, and those bolts are the swim step bolts through the transom, right?
    yea that is the corner of the transom and the fuel tanks(where they meet). The bolts are from the swim step.
    let me get some more pics if i can

  4. #4
    Burn504
    here you can see the outside. Everything looks good
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071746.jpg
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...822071746a.jpg
    and here so you can see the length of the fuel tanks in relation to the fuel fill
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071748.jpg

  5. #5
    Burn504
    here is a pic of that area from a bit farther away. I hope you can see where it is leaking. In the bottom left corner when facing the tank. You can see it leaking. Its a steady drip drip drip
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...822071747a.jpg
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071749.jpg
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...822071749a.jpg
    http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...0822071750.jpg

  6. #6
    Burn504
    Take a pic of the area from a little farther away. If I am seeing your pic right, That is the corner of the transom where the transom meets the side of the boat, and those bolts are the swim step bolts through the transom, right? If so, then is the spot with the old carpet glue is actually the fuel tank, and not the side of the boat?
    Regardless, if that is fuel leaking out, then it must be coming from the tank, and yes the tank must be removed and replaced. No one in their right mind will attempt to repair a fiberglass fuel tank.
    The whole side of the tank was covered in carpet. I noticed it was wet so i started pulling it back till it was dry and cut out the fuel soaked carpet. So the orange shit is glue. That whole sidewall is supposely fuel tank... In the last few pics you can see a space in the top corner. So the tank and the transom are molded in together but not completely sealed.

  7. #7
    DUCKY
    Okay, that's what I was thinking, but needed the "bigger picture".
    You definitely need to remove those tanks and replace them.
    The tanks are made on the bench and then "tabbed" to the boat at each end and along the bottom. If you run a body saw or die grinder real shallow along the bottom of the boat, and cut the tabs at each end, they should come right out. When you get your new ones, install some wood bulkheads each each end of the tank so you can bolt in the new tanks. I would suggest having your new ones made so you can move them away from the transom at least a few inches if not 12, even if it costs you some capacity.
    On a side note, the transom area where the swim step bolts come through looks pretty bad. Granted the transom in a jet isn't all that critical (you don't even have one in the center), you need to at least seal it all up and make some backing plates for the step bolts. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions or need some guidance....
    PS, nice shot of your boat in front of "The Thing". We always stop at that DQ on the way to and from Marble Falls.....

  8. #8
    Burn504
    so just measure and have some new ones made? stainless or aluminium?
    When i put the new ones in do i have to glass them in or only if they are fiberglass?(which i wont do again)
    is this a result of the ethanol in gasoline or just stress?
    why should i leave 12" in front of the transom?
    Thanks for your help...too bad your not closer

  9. #9
    DUCKY
    I would have the new ones made out of aluminum. Stainless is great if you can afford it, but it's spendy. You will want to get with a fuel tank manufacturer in your area for the job and possibly a fiberglass shop if you don't want to deal with cutting out the old tanks and putting in the new bulkheads.I can get you a number for a tank manufacturer here if you need it. I don't like tanks that are glassed in, that's why I said to glass in some bulkheads to mount the new ones on then bolt them in. The idea about moving the mounting point forward has several purposes. First, being glassed to the transom, side and the bottom of the boat could be part of the reason you have a leak. Your tank is rigidly mounted to three different axis'. Second, if you are going to glass in bulkheads to mount the new ones, you need to leave yourself room to work on the bulkheads, and the access the bolts, hoses, etc...
    If you don't have a tank guy that will take your measurements for you, you will probably need to make a cardboard template of the mounting area and send it to the tank guy. Let me know if you need anything.

  10. #10
    Burn504
    so the reason for leaving a good 12" before the transom is to leave room to work on the bulkhead? or in case of collision?
    and your guess is because of the way the fiberglass tanks were mounted lead to a stress crack over time that is now leaking?

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