Gas tank access panel

[jlaeder]

Finally got the floor all fitted and screwed down (still gotta remove it to seal it with a few coats of penetrating epoxy to seal all the wood). My question is should I glass the panel over the tank by itself then screw it down so its semi removable (after you pull up the carpet) or just glass over the whole floor in one piece? I still have to cut the circle opening for the access point to the filler hose and fuel gauge. It's on a 1990 cheetah 2000LS. I'm trying my best to do it right but also not get too in depth with it. Thanks in advance for any input you guys have. Hope you're all having a great boating season.

 

[76SeaRay]

I am just debating the same question. My original floor was mounted over the tank using aluminum angle brackets but then had been fiberglassed over the whole floor making it not removeable.

 

[PC on the Bayou]

I thought about leaving mine where it was removable, but decided against it. My main thought was that it is unlikely that I would need to get to the entire tank and it would be easy enough to just cut the section loose if I ever needed to.

 

[Earl Cordova]

IMO it would be better to be removable in case the sender dies or a hose needs to be replaced.

 

[todhunter]

Mine isn't removable, but I've still got access ports so I can get to the sender and all hose connections.

 

[JASinIL2006]

When I restored my boat, I decided to fiberglass over the tank panel, leaving only a circular access port to get at the sender. I decided if I have problems sufficient to remove the tank, I've got bigger worries than cutting through the floor. If I do have to cutout the tank panel, I'll just glass it in again. In the meantime, my chances of water intrusion (and rot) are much less with the panel glassed (rather than screwed) in.

 

[Grub54891]

I glassed the entire floor in also. I put deckplates where the sender and hoses are. In my lifetime I won't have to get in there anyway.

 

[iantuffs]

Mine isn't removable, but I've still got access ports so I can get to the sender and all hose connections.

what type of access panel do you have? I have a 1999 Larson SEI 186 and need to install an access panel so i can access the Fuel Sending Unit. Also, any suggestions on what size hole and how to cut it throught the carpet would be appreciated.

 

[iantuffs]

When I restored my boat, I decided to fiberglass over the tank panel, leaving only a circular access port to get at the sender. I decided if I have problems sufficient to remove the tank, I've got bigger worries than cutting through the floor. If I do have to cutout the tank panel, I'll just glass it in again. In the meantime, my chances of water intrusion (and rot) are much less with the panel glassed (rather than screwed) in.

what type of access panel do you have? I have a 1999 Larson SEI 186 and need to install an access panel so i can access the Fuel Sending Unit. Also, any suggestions on what size hole and how to cut it throught the carpet would be appreciated.

 

[ddrieck]

My 86 Thompson has a removable cover over the Fuel Gauge sending unit. Sure glad it did as my sending unit went bad and I needed to replace it.
You could search online for a similar removable cover.

 

[Lou C]

Mine was built with the access panel & I duplicated it when I re did the deck 15 years ago. These can be sealed with sealer to keep out water. My boat is always covered anyway when not in use so it never gets wet there. I had the cover off a few years ago & it looks good no rot. If you have a poly tank not having a cover is maybe ok but with an alu tank I’d want one for sure….

 

[JASinIL2006]

what type of access panel do you have? I have a 1999 Larson SEI 186 and need to install an access panel so i can access the Fuel Sending Unit. Also, any suggestions on what size hole and how to cut it throught the carpet would be appreciated.

I tried to find one on the iboats website, but this place is about the worst search engine I’ve ever seen. I know I bought it from here, but you may have to do some searching. It’s just around access panel that screws into the deck. I cut a hole, maybe 8 inches in diameter, and covered it with the panel.

 

[ddrieck]

Found this one on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Marine-DSSDP-2-2-DP-Designer-Screw-Plates/dp/B004QJQJBA/ref=sr_1_16?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Found this one on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Marine-DSSDP-2-2-DP-Designer-Screw-Plates/dp/B004QJQJBA/ref=sr_1_16?

Yup, that’s what I used.