1989 WellCraft 250 Sportsman Cuddy w/ 1989 5.7L Mercruiser Chevy 350 small block

[thakang67]

Hello to all, I'm trying to remove the fuel cell without having to cut the deck. I have pictures of the deck and from what assume is the way it's attached. The screws lining the perimeter every 18" or so. I guess what i'm asking is, are the screws in the pictures, holding the deck down and if so how difficult is it to remove? I do have fiberglass experience and gel coating but would rather not destroy anything if possible.
You guys are great so any suggestions would be highly appreciated!!!

 

[kcassells]

Take a standback pic. of da hull thing. Too small to review.

 

[thakang67]

kcassells I hope these are ok. I have to shrink them so they will upload.

 

[kcassells]

To me it looks like you have all the panels in place to remove and access the fuel cell. Probably those hatches have been sealed with something to prevent leaks.
Have at it!

 

[scoutabout]

Be interesting to see what's under the panel with the round access port vs the raised helm area. Looks to me that the screws might be holding that raised area down. Main decks are usually fiberglassed over any screws and aren't designed to come out without cutting.

 

[thakang67]

scoutabout you are right. Wellcraft told me that that year and model was that in fact in two pieces but could not confirm if it was sealed from underneath. Lower deck is molded to the gunwales and upper is screwed down. So my thinking is to unscrew top jack up enough to remove tank? What are your thoughts? kcassells please chime in with yours as well . Thank you both

 

[kcassells]

Here's my suggestion. You are going to get into fiberglass repair 1 way or the other. I would take up the most you can that are screwed or glued. Then expect to use a grinder, sawsall, multitool to remove pc. that will allow you to lift or slide that tank out.
I don't see a pic of the rear of the tank facing the stern but there is a bulkhead their keeping that tank in place so it doesn't move.
Got any more stand back pics of everything?