pull 268 Islander fuel tank

[clubers]

Has anyone successfully removed the main tank from their Islander?

I understand I have to cut the bulkhead and slide it back but wondering if there is room to actually get it out inspect and hopefully reinstall.

I am currently re-coring the soft deck and wondering if I should tackle the fuel tanks while deck is out.
Its a 1996.

 

[-Dan]

I cut the bulk head at the aft end of the tank and was not able to get it out. The tank was too long. It hit the bulk head forward of the bilge pump/ battery "compartment" before there was enough room to lift it out of the space. At the time, I was not willing to cut that bulkhead as well just to find out it still did not have enough room to come out. I was able to get a general idea of the condition of the bottom of the tank by lifting the tank and using a borescope. Mine looked to be coated with a grey paint or epoxy that seemed to be in good condition. I repaired the pinholes and vent tube on top of the tank with tank epoxy repair material and then reinstalled it.

Cutting the stairs seemed to be the only solution. I wasn't comfortable that I could repair the cut out stairs in a way that was acceptable aesthetically. I have to admit, I am leary that the day will come that I find my bilge full of fuel.

I would love to see if anyone on here has removed & replaced a 268 islander main tank without cutting into gelcoat.

-Dan

 

[clubers]

Thanks for the info Dan!!!

I suspected that was the case after running a tape measure up the length of the tank.

If the aux tank is any indicator the main 'should' be in ok condition. I problems areas on the aux tank for me were under the black rubbery strips the tank sits on.

Dan, when wrestling the main tank back into place were you able to reseat the tank on some PVC strips or something of that nature?

 

[barclayrl]

Pulling up an old thread. Anyone complete this task yet? Mine is a 2001 and appears to have a runway forward of the tank to be slide up but not sure it can be tilted out.

 

[family affair]

I hate to say it, but if a guy with your skills is asking this question, most who will ever need to do this are screwed! LOL!
I wish you luck and I'm curious to see what you come up with.

 

[DogBone]

I don't know if this is relevant to the 268, but on my Gulfstream 232 I thought there was no way I was going to get the tank out without major cutting to the forward area. My tank measured 63" long and the opening is around 60". However, I thought if I could raise it high enough in the compartment, then by tilting the aft end I might be able to slide it out. The inside cavity is around 65", so the tank could be tilted about 20 degrees (just a guess). With the tank sitting on the floor, the tilt would not allow the bottom to clear the aft bulkhead. So I raised the forward end as high as possible in the cavity using ratchet straps slid under the tank. As you can see, to my surprise, the aft end of the tank lifted and cleared the bulkhead. I did have to do minor trimming on the left and right sides of the opening, but that was mostly due to the hoses pushing the tank to one side of the opening. I hope this applies to the 268.

 

[Toothpick 10]

Pulling up an old thread. Anyone complete this task yet? Mine is a 2001 and appears to have a runway forward of the tank to be slide up but not sure it can be tilted out.

What's going on with your fuel tank Ryan? Do not tell me that you have a leak.

 

[barclayrl]

No major leak. But the prior owner neglected this boat so bad, salt has built up under the sender unit and had some huge pits form that is possibly allowing water into the tank during long storage

before my first run of the year, I found about 1.5 gallons of water on the bottom of the tank and could see the gasket was not sealing the top of the tank

I cleaned the area well, installed a new gasket and was generous with the aviation fuel sealer. So I think it will be ok. But I would love to pull the tank, strip it down, and if it’s ok, put some coal tar epoxy on it and reinstall or replace it

 

[Toothpick 10]

No major leak. But the prior owner neglected this boat so bad, salt has built up under the sender unit and had some huge pits form that is possibly allowing water into the tank during long storage

before my first run of the year, I found about 1.5 gallons of water on the bottom of the tank and could see the gasket was not sealing the top of the tank

I cleaned the area well, installed a new gasket and was generous with the aviation fuel sealer. So I think it will be ok. But I would love to pull the tank, strip it down, and if it’s ok, put some coal tar epoxy on it and reinstall or replace it

Before last season, I pulled off the large fuel tank hatch to inspect and clean the outside of the tank with soap and water. This season, I just pulled the two small access ports, poured in some liquid soap, and blasted the top of the tank using a hose nozzle the best that I could. This annual fuel tank cleaning operation is actually recommended in the Grady owners manual.

 

[seasick]

No leak at all in the tank is much better than no major leak
If it is the original tank, and you have the deck open, I don't see the value in pulling, cleaning and coating. You would be better off replacing the tank. Most of the pitting occurs on the bottom. While you are at it, replace the hoses of course.
When you pull th etank you will be able to inspect the stringers and bulkheads also. Cross your fingers.

 

[barclayrl]

No leak at all in the tank is much better than no major leak
If it is the original tank, and you have the deck open, I don't see the value in pulling, cleaning and coating. You would be better off replacing the tank. Most of the pitting occurs on the bottom. While you are at it, replace the hoses of course.
When you pull th etank you will be able to inspect the stringers and bulkheads also. Cross your fingers.

the tank is not very tight and the stringers and bulkheads are rot free wood in my boat so I am hopin my to not have to replace any superstructure components. I can see down the stringers pretty far and they look very good.

I am just going to go through this season as is and order a new one next year. If I have to cut anything it will be the aft section. I won’t cut the steps.