265 Express Deck Removed

[Rfazilat]

Hello All -

Going to wire the windlass today, but first I pulled the deck to access the tanks, etc. Whoa! I need suggestions and direction of what I am looking at (I know the tanks, hoses, etc). How to clean this area, what to check for/replace prior to replacing the deck. Obvious signs of any dangerous situation since working with fuel tanks. Anyone know what the would cause the burned areas on the tanks? Engines were fired up yessterday.

Thanks!

 

[Rfazilat]

pics added

 

[DennisG01]

Are you positive those are burn marks? It looks a lot more like years and years of salt/dirt/grime build-up. You can see how it would collect in a low spot along with water, and then drain off leaving the residue. Over time, the residue could get quite thick.

 

[Rfazilat]

Not positive about burn marks. I’d take grime ILO burn marks on fuel tanks any day!

was thinking about pressure washing the area before checking connections, etc. anything biodegradable that would work that you know of? Any additional area of concern you might be able to see from the pics? Thank you!

 

[glacierbaze]

How old are the tanks? A lot of fuel tanks are coated with coal tar.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Its not burnt Its typical black mold. Water drips from pie holes. Tank may have been replaced already. I base that on the screwed down 2 x 4 cross member. Look at the ID plates on the tanks for mfg date. Try not to walk on the tank and make it bend in & out... Look for leaks. Inspect the hoses.
Clean with soapy water and a rag. It should drain to the bilge. There are two pipes into the rear bilge. One comes from under tanks, one all the way from forward bilge.

Inspect the deck hatch for water intrusion.


You need to inspect the deck drain hoses. Find my post on that.

 

[Rfazilat]

How old are the tanks? A lot of fuel tanks are coated with coal tar.

Not sure, boat is 2001 model

 

[Rfazilat]

Its not burnt Its typical black mold. Water drips from pie holes. Tank may have been replaced already. I base that on the screwed down 2 x 4 cross member. Look at the ID plates on the tanks for mfg date. Try not to walk on the tank and make it bend in & out... Look for leaks. Inspect the hoses.
Clean with soapy water and a rag. It should drain to the bilge. There are two pipes into the rear bilge. One comes from under tanks, one all the way from forward bilge.

Inspect the deck hatch for water intrusion.


You need to inspect the deck drain hoses. Find my post on that.

Will look for manufacturing date while cleaning today and checking connections.

 

[Hookup1]

What does the underside of the hatch look like? Is it wet? When the hatches fill with water they leak plywood glue out on the tanks. I agree with SkunkBoat the black is mold.

The label, the paint the tanks look OEM to me.

 

[drbatts]

Agreed, the tanks just look dirty and moldy. They should clean right up. The main culprit is the deck plates. Both Gradys I have owned they did a piss poor job caulking the deck plates and have all leaked underneath. I would plan on changing the fuel lines too while you have it open too.

 

[Rfazilat]

What does the underside of the hatch look like? Is it wet? When the hatches fill with water they leak plywood glue out on the tanks. I agree with SkunkBoat the black is mold.

The label, the paint the tanks look OEM to me.

 

[Rfazilat]

Underside not wet and looks pretty good from the attached pic. I need to replace the access ports due to the o ring age.

 

[Hookup1]

The right side is a little wet but not too bad. The deck screws are the source of the water. Make sure you caulk it well.

Clean the deck ports and lube o-rings with silicone gel (Harbor Freight). I would pull the rings out and re-caulk them with 3M4000. The rings come loose and leak. You need a caulk with some adhesive properties but not as strong as 3M 5200.

 

[DennisG01]

Another common source of the tank getting wet is simply due to the nature of the beast where the tank is. It's lives in a moist environment. It is very common for condensation to build up on the underside of the hatch and then drip onto the tank.

In this case, the underside of the hatch is not (on the surface) wet (nor was the tank) - most likely just due to when the pics were taken and where the boat is currently at and whether or not the bilge is currently wet.

 

[Rfazilat]

What does the underside of the hatch look like? Is it wet? When the hatches fill with water they leak plywood glue out on the

Another common source of the tank getting wet is simply due to the nature of the beast where the tank is. It's lives in a moist environment. It is very common for condensation to build up on the underside of the hatch and then drip onto the tank.

In this case, the underside of the hatch is not (on the surface) wet (nor was the tank) - most likely just due to when the pics were taken and where the boat is currently at and whether or not the bilge is currently wet.

Yes, the bilge has about an inch of water. The drain plug is out.

tanks. I agree with SkunkBoat the black is mold.

The label, the paint the tanks look OEM to me.

Another common source of the tank getting wet is simply due to the nature of the beast where the tank is. It's lives in a moist environment. It is very common for condensation to build up on the underside of the hatch and then drip onto the tank.

In this case, the underside of the hatch is not (on the surface) wet (nor was the tank) - most likely just due to when the pics were taken and where the boat is currently at and whether or not the bilge is currently wet.

 

[Rfazilat]

Got the bilge and below deck cleaned yesterday. 50/50 Clorox and water, pressure wash does the trick!

 

[Hookup1]

Got the bilge and below deck cleaned yesterday. 50/50 Clorox and water, pressure wash does the trick!

Now just imagine what those tanks look like on the bottom!

 

[SeaVee]

Looking good. Look like original tanks. When you caulk it, run a piece of mono around the gap before you caulk and leave a small “tag” somewhere. Then when you need to pull the deck back up, yank the mono first and it will cut thru the caulk for a clean release

 

[SkunkBoat]

did you check the dates on the tanks?

Reason I ask is that you have a 2x4 across the back, like mine. I always assumed they did that when the PO replaced the tanks.

 

[SeaVee]

Skunk- my 01 had the 2x4 when we popped the floor up, original tanks. We skinned those wood pieces with some fiberglass resin before we buttoned her up