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im replacing my deck i my sea ray. the old deck had a large board that screwed out to access the whole gas tank. do i need access to the whole gas tank or can i put in a smaller access hatch to certain parts of the tank???
If you replace the fuel cell/ lines with new and are using plywood for the deck, you can just keep measurements of where the new tank/fuel line is and just cut the floor out when you have to replace the tank again. No need for a hatch unless you plan on having fuel cell issues. I would reinstall all new and glass the plywood in with a access hatch for the sending unit and fuel lines.
in most cases........the receiver and the pickup are accessible......if you loose a wire to the receiver....you need to be able to get to it.
the tanks have a long life......so they are usually totally glassed over.
add your new deck over the tank.....and leave a hatch.......you can even buy 5 inch round ones, that look great. but if its a belly tank.....the plastic hatch is in the middle of everything.
for that reason......the back of the tank. (where the pick up and receiver is) are usually accessible thru the motor cage.
since i don't know what i am talking about really, heres what i got. the pickup i'm assuming is the line from the tank to the engine. the receiver i'm assuming is where the sender is. and there is a vent hose and the fill hose. the only thing that isn't accessible toward the rear is the vent hose which is in the front starboard side. so i can put in a access hatch to get to all but the front vent hose. is that acceptable????
you need to access everything.....including the front vent......if that hose cracks....you will have fuel all over in the bilge and never know where it comes from....then its another deck job to replace the hose....
normally there is a bulkhead in front of the tank......that will lead you to the ski locker....just cut a access in the bulkhead . that way you can get at it from both ends.