Re: Should I put my gas tank.....there?
I'm sure you meant shoddy design, the workmanship from the factory on that Wellcraft is exceptional compared to most others.
I don't see a PVC pipe in that pic, could you point it out? A pvc drain pipe running through the fuel compartment is a good idea, but how many factory installations have them? none that I can remember seeing.
So what does the belly tank installation look like on that Chris Craft? Have you ever seen it? Got any pics?
Op, sorry if this is a derail of sorts.
Wellcrafts are pretty well made boats but I did mean shoddy work. The one area they should have had foam for sure is around the fuel lines that lead to another compartment to keep it a sealed coffin for the tank. (yellow) Can't really tell from the pic, but it looks like they didn't fiberglass the edges there either.
The bow area was where I thought I was seeing the pvc, because alot of times they are wrapped in fiberglass. (red) Looking closer,looks like that is the forward keel not a drain. The only place you would need them really is from the forwrd to the stern bulkheads around the tank. The rest can just be drained normally with cut out drains through bulkheads and stringrs.
The (blue) lines are where not one, but two pvc pipes should be run under the tank from the forward bulkhead where the curve of the hull meets the bulkhead to the backside bulkhead of the tank. One on each side of the keel if it runs aftward all the way to the stern of tank. From there it can be drained back as the rest of the boat is with drainage holes (Green) next to the stringers until you reach the bilge. If it is a boat without a raised center keel, it will only require on drain under the tank. The pvc can be as small as 1 1/4" in size because all it is really draining is the two most forward areas. Its also a good idea to put an access hatch in the floor above the drains so you can hose/clean them out over time with water pressure or air.
The Light blue L shaped lines are brackets that should be welded to a fuel tank for mounting solid to stringers. You will find this done on alot of custom larger boats for sure. The idea is to not to have to use foam, thus giving air flow around the fuel tank.
Some obviously use foam to secure the tank and I agree it keeps it solid but its not the only way of doing things.. What I don't agree with is that it should be filled all the way to the bottom of the hull around the tank. There are lots of variables here, if the drainage pvc is put in under the tank and no moisture is allowed into the tank coffin via inspection hatch or coffin lid, there should never be any wet foam in or around the tank to begin with. But something no one ever seems to think about is condensation. Thats why I vote for no foam around a fuel tank.
Simply put, the foam is a quik, cheap and easy way for manufactures to install fuel tanks in small vessels. The problem is, they cut corners on everything to save money. If your going to use foam around a metal tank, the tank should be coal tar epoxied first, then foam installed. The inspection plate or coffin lid dependingon the layout, should be completely sealed as to not let water ever get into the foam or that compartment. If its a plastic tank, atleast coat your connections that are metal.
You asked about my boat, yes it has two drains from the front that goes all the way to the stern from the (factory). I found them when I purposely opened up an access hole in the floor of my cabin. There is one on each side of the keel. My tank like many has foam around the tank and shotty work like many others. Your in luck because you will be able to see for yourself because I will be pulling my tank this winter because it is 21 years old and needs to be checked. I'm hoping to be able to coal tar it and reinstall but we will see. Will be pulling it in the next couple weeks.
Let me be clear to, I didn't mean to say most boats have pvc drains, most have drainage from the bow to the stern though wether it be pvc or just a drainage channel, it serves the same purpose. I have also seen where the front is built so that the drainage from the front compartments drains to the outside of the stringers around the tank instead of going under the tank. The main reason in alot of boats for the forward drainage is for anchor lockers. These will always have some water because of wet anchor lines.
