We had a diesel tank that corroded and was actually leaking. We took it to a company that specialised in repairing truck tanks; they cleaned it up, welded the pitted aluminium, and coated the inside with a special coating that came with a ten-year guarantee. Five years later, there are still no problems.
Ye, overall they look in decent shape, after a bit of cleaning and maybe having one of them specialized guys look over it, just in case, they should be good to go. Definitely cheaper than buying new or buying newly-used.
If you watch this channel long enough: Mads enjoys doing a proper refit and repair of an old boat, that is his specialty. This channel has grown around that very strategy.
Qualified welder here. Clean the tanks really well using alum safe degreaser and plenty of water. look for any pitting especially around the welded areas. Just for piece of mind, I would take them to get NDT tested, to check for cracks or deep corrosion/pitting.
That white, gooey stuff in the diesel tank may be poultice, or aluminum hydroxide. Practical Sailor mentions it as "harbingers of early death" for aluminum tanks. The article is titled "Diesel Fuel Tank Replacement" is a good, practical (heh) read on tank basics and replacement considerations.
Hi Mads, one trick I have used when making sheet metal parts is to include small holes in the cad, which I later drill out once the part is bent. It saves quite a bit of measuring and you know the parts are all the same. Great work and thanks for the wonderful videos. Robin
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for your lifetime of hard work and experiences. Your generation is special and we are all lucky to have people like you still around!
Hey Mads! We met at the recent boat show. I’m an ex Nuclear welder and have used most of the best welders on the market. Based on your wish list (mine was the same) I have an Everlast 210ext and it’s as good as the $4000 miller I use at our shop. That being said I’m intrigued by the Arccaptain tig 200… those are my suggestions 😉
There is a product called alumabright may have misspelled it..used for cleaning fuel tanks on 18 wheelers..it foams up and cleans tank to a shine..its a mild acid. ...if use macuric acid will turn aluminum black and eat it..but that other stuff won't...maybe even sell it at truck stops..it a very common product in America...im a diesel mechanic..hope that helps...best of luck
Good start Mads! For those tanks I'd just cut inspection holes in the top to clean them out and reseal with a slightly bigger plate and gasket. They will need cleaning again in the years to come.
I agree with the comments that said to have the diesel tanks cleaned and tested. I would also look into possibly cutting in an inspection port on each tank, large enough that you could reach your arm in, if need be, that you can put a removable lid on, that would make cleaning and servicing much easier on down the line. 👍 By the way, I am enjoying very much your videos. I ran across you when you first found the Anteries Catamaran. Good Job! And Good Luck!
Another good episode, Mads. Your ability to just get rid of the old wiring shows that you are on your third refit. Trying to save and reuse often ends up costing more in both dollars and time and a clean slate is oh so satisfying. Save the old wiring though and take it to a metal recycler, with the price of copper these days you have hundreds of dollars worth so it is worth the trip(s).
Great video - thanks Mads. I bet Ava was smiling watching you put that handrail on your stairs to good use. You needed it when carrying that tank off the boat but you were also using it when just walking down hands free.
When you got this boat, I was thinking about what bad luck she had going through that hurricane. Today watching you start to bring her back to life reminded me of what good luck she has having you own her now. She will be better than new when you're done so she can begin her second life better than her first! Nice work Mads! 👍
Always look forward to your videos on Sunday…. You are my guilty pleasure with the sail life and renovating this catamaran. I am sure it will be better than the original once you are one.
Great episode, thank you!... forget about cleaning tanks with buck shot , chains and various chemicals etc. You have them out an thats a big plus. To property clean the tanks take them to a tank truck repair shop and have them steam cleaned. They do this every day before welding on aluminum tanks that haul diesel & gasoline. They would also be able to probably dispose of what comes out of the tanks, and maybe your drum of old diesel besides welding in some exta bungs or inspection hatches. Not sure where you're located in FL, but every major city has these tank truck repair shops, or just ask a driver making a delivery at a gas station where they take his tank truck to be repaired.
I have built and repaired many aluminum fuel tanks. Sand the outsides down with 80 grit until the whole tank is bare aluminum and at least most of the oxide layer has been removed. this is to ensure that the oxide layer is not hiding a leak. Try to rent a cement mixer and ratchet strap the tank to it and put a couple lbs of old hardware like nuts bolts and washers in it with a couple gallons of degreaser and water. let that run for a few hours and it will clean the inside out nicely. Then pressurize it to using a hose a check valve and your own lungs no need to put any more pressure than you can with your lungs it is really easy to bulge a flat sided tank. Spay it with dish soap and water or better yet bubble solution. If you have any leaks triple rinse the tank then take carbide bit and cut into the leak until you are sure you have thick metal and have removed any contamination if needed add a patch panel or just fill the hole with weld mig or tig is fine. there are a few different tank liner 2 part epoxy liners that I will not recommend in favor or against but IF I was going to use it I would only do the bottom 5 inches where water may set. normally I would epoxy coat the outside to prevent corrosion but because of your mounting situation I do not think its needed. between the agitation on the inside and sanding on the outside if there is anything that is ever going to leak with out further corrosion it should show its self. I have never had a repaired tank start leaking again after doing this procedure.
Boat building aside, there are some impressive video making skills here. Starting counting the different camera positions, but gave up after 30 seconds or so (about 5 in that time). Makes it very interesting. Thanks for putting in the time. Am fast becoming a fan -
People love the Primeweld 225. It has tons of features for about $800 plus argon tank and regulator and etc, etc. The HITBOX TIG Welder AC/DC with Pulse, 200Amp for like $350 is good value - if it works and reviews are promising on Amazon. I am quite happy with my DEKO AC/DC Inverter TIG/MMA Welder,250A. It was about $420 and has all the bells and whistles and for me important was that it was small to keep on the boat. The Primeweld is a large beast. The Primeweld has a nice CK Worldwide torch included. The biggest improvement I made for my unit was buying a nice torch. After that it runs smoothly. Don't underestimate the value of a good torch. I honestly think that is why the Primeweld gets such great reviews and the Deko less so. Good luck!
Re: fuel tank - jab a sharp pick or small screwdriver in any areas that look corroded. If it pokes through just toss the tanks and have new ones made. If it passes the poke test, fill it up with a couple gallons of gasoline and slosh it around. Add an access port to the top and scrub what you can get with a long handled brush. Don’t mess with commercially available access ports. Cut a piece of 1/8 aluminum with an inch overlap and tap the tank for machine screws Clean, etch and epoxy paint the outside the same way you’d prep an aluminum hull. Should last forever. Once you get them up and running make liberal use of biocide at every fill up and run a dual 2 micron racor setup that you can “hot swap”
Hi Guys, We met in Charleston at the meet and greet, my welder of choice is the Dynasty 200 from Miller it has great user interface and dual voltage. It is a very portable 5 amp to 200 amp Tig and stick. Love the project.
Take the parts over to Sunshine Welding, they're about a block East from Athena. They do excellent work at good rates. Getting a welder is probably overkill for the amount of work you're going to do.
Note for the future wiring restoration. There are companies in the US that make custom wire harnesses for cars. I;m sure there is the equivalent in boating or the car side might be persuaded to due marine wiring.
Hi Mads; Looking at the comments from welders and knowing a few friends that had aluminum tanks the road forward seems to have both tank redone by a professional. They have been submerged in salt water and left to percolate. This seems like a formula for trouble down the line. How about seeing if you can find used tanks that are in better condition than the ones that came with the boat? This is all ez for me since it will be your sweat and toil to rehab them. Good luck ! Also, I have enjoyed your channel since the beginning. You are a testament to what hard work and a willingness to learn can achieve. I will be in Jupiter mid January, if you need a hand let me know.
Hobby welder here. I have both a YesWelder and an Everlast brand welding rig. I've been beyond thrilled with my Everlast, but woefully disappointed in the YesWelder. The Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT should check all of your boxes, but it certainly isn't the cheapest one out there.
With regards to the tanks; use add about 5 pounds of number 6 shot-gun shell shot (lead shot) mixed with a gallon of a Bosh product called "Alumia Bright", rotate the tanks on 2 axes to break up the (junk in the trunk). Rotate a few min, let set rotate again, and let set, repeat a few times, drain, and rinse.
Thanks for the Video. This catamaran is quite a challenge! Even after many years, it’s always a pleasure to Watch Mads’ skills (long time since Obelix reflex stove)
I built my own aluminum fuel tanks, I have a 'rectangular' inspection port in each tank. By being rectangular you can get a backing plate inside the hole, drilled and tapped. Fit a gasket and you can clean the tank if and when required. Regarding your stainless welding don't fall into the trap that everything needs to be TIG welded, stick welding is so much cheaper and faster than TIG. If you end for end your paints etc whilst in storage they are much easier to mix at a later date.
I have a 200amp Weld Pro tig welder. Has everything your looking for. AC/DC high frq start. Multi voltage input. And it's fairly inexpensive and very reliable. On Amazon I payed 800. Came with the better flexi torch
I know you are not a Floridian but we are done with hurricanes. Odds of getting hit any year are slim but you got the gold ring this season at least once. We are about 60 miles west of you. When the cold fronts start coming through, hurricane odds drop dramatically
I have and use a 120/240 Primeweld 225x tig welder with ac/dc pulse, awesome machine, will stick weld too and best of all $735 new. Lots of actual knobs for adjusting amps, pulse etc.
A word of caution about that leak you fixed: Sailing Parlay Revival ripped the two hull halves apart by simply attaching a spinnaker sheet to a cleat at the bow of one of the hulls. Colin tabbed the two hull halves together with fiberglass. You need something stronger than sealant to strengthen that joint. I would imagine that rolling sea would impart shear forces on the hull halves.
Thanks for sharing. If you are going to use the old diesel tanks, you will find out best when you inspect them and see the condition and take into account how old they are. I have aluminum diesel tanks in my boat that are almost 40 years old and as good as new. They stand free on an aluminum frame with aluminum bands around. I have a drain in the bottom at the lowest point so I can drain if there is water.
3000 PSI gasoline pressure washer is very handy for cleaning inside and outside. And spinning nozzle will take good care of the old paint that must go off the fiberglass. I got mine from Craigslist for $200 and I love it. Very clean and super quick paint removal, and it's very fun to do it. Weeks of sanding can be done in an hour without any damages to fiberglass.
As for the tanks, I think you have done the hard work. Take the tanks to a local tank shop and have them clean and assess them. I am sure a marine tank shop could give you a great recommendation based on real experience and actual hands on inspection. I am sure those could be repaired/re-inforced for far less than crafting new tanks. As for a welder, the Titanium multi-process welders available from Harbor Freight are very handy. You can get a really nice one for under a grand on sale. I would suggest getting a 100/220 model as you could do quite a bit of work with it. 110v welders will handle welding 1/8" steel to 1/4" steel fairly well but not anything much thicker. That said, there are tons of different welders brands available online and reviews are generally your best advice. Plus, the newer welders are much lighter than the older ones and those would be much easier to store in your boat. Storing a gas bottle for MIG welding would be a major pain so you might look at the small flux core welders for steel only. The Harbor Freight Titanium EZ Flux 125 is an amazing little machine that does not require a bottle. My brother and I have those and we are constantly amazed at what you can do with it for under $150. It's small and it stores easily. Just upgrade to some better flux wire, like INE from Italy. INE wire is available from Amazon in the 5 lb spools.
Suggest you cut large inspection holes in tanks to decide if you tanks are worth using. You can gasket and create covers for the inspection holes if you decide to keep tanks.
The stirring comment reminds me of a protection officer employed at a rather famous palace, apart from discussing work related things, he always said the best part of his day was 'stirring'. Being one of the cushiest roles in active UK policing, there was lots of banter between the numerous officers themselves, household staff and others of the 3rd degree. Sure they worked unsociable hours, travelled to other palaces, etc. but they were very well paid particularly for overtime. The multi project mode sounds good. I'm curious how having a workshop below the boat works for you. Do you know how often/much time you spend using the stairs? Although I guess it is a bonus to work out of the sun. I recollect other UA-camrs having issues with tanks in aluminium hulls, Vet Tails and Odd Life. Water and the white deposit seem concerning. Worth getting more diverse advice.
Great progress...nice seeing things move to the "done" side of the board. Cleanup has to be the worst part to feel like you are making progress but it's looking much better.
Tanks: if no inspection hole (like Athena), create one. Clean inside and outside thoroughly, check for leaks and have the insides or outsides resealed.
I am a home welder, and have an AHP Alpha Tig. Got mine back in 2018, and it's still working great, - and I see they are still on Amazon. Both 120v and 240v, AC and DC, and it can do stick, which I haven't done yet. I have welded stainless and aluminum with it, and it's been good. Not all that expensive when you consider what new Miller or Lincoln welders cost.
Try to re-use those tanks as you know they fit. Get someone to make and fit large inspection ports in the top. With those you can ensure you have it really clean. You can also use the inspection port lid as the mount for supply and return ports and the sender mount.
Whatever you get, make sure the torch has a gas lens, rather than a collet body. The gold standard in the US: HTP Invertig 221. It's not crazy cheap, but it's worth every penny - especially since it comes standard with the accessories you actually want. I used it for sanitary stainless at a food products development lab. The ONLY problem: it's 220v. If price mattered: Everlast Power i-TIG 200T. Unfortunately DC only, and you'd still want to buy the CK17 torch that the HTP comes with. I wouldn't even unwrap the original torch (or consumables!) from the plastic. I used this welder 10 years ago to make bicycles. Probably the right mix of features: Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT. It even comes with superflex torches, but you really want a 17 torch for most things. 9 is for bicycle frames, 26 is for fabrication and 17 is good for both if you just want one.
Best decision to throw out all the old cables and wires, as you already said, you'll never know in what hidden corner they will start smoldering if you put them under some load. And we all know how much you are in elctronics and devices talking to eachother over bus wires, you'll have to put in a bunch of wires anyway, so jut throw a set of power wires in, togrhter with data lines and you're good to go! 👍👍👍
Suggest you thoroughly clean the inside as well as the outside. Seal all the apertures on the tank and conduct a pressure test. Test pressure can be five psi. Take a mixture of water and dish soap place it in a sprayer and spray all of the seams of the tank. Monitor the pressure to ensure you’re not losing any pressure. If the soap test and pressure test is successful, congratulations you have a good diesel tank. You may also want to paint it.
First … it’s too funny that you used the hand rail to carry out the old fuel tanks down to work area 🤣🤣🤣 Second you can reuse the tanks as long as….you have no pin holes or rust on your tanks. Just clean them out really good … like on any other fuel tanks. Love your videos. Sand on.
Aluminum tanks, are ok, lots of commercial and recreational boats have them with little to no issues for many years Just cut large hatches in the top so they can be inspected/cleaned When you put them (if they are ok), ensure you can get at them from the top in the future for maintenance. I would have sourced the 314ss locally, you can get much better prices when you sow them what you can get online
If the fuel tanks are salvagable you should check out POR15 fuel tank liner kit, fairly inexpensive and will seal the tank and prevent corroision and scale inside an old tank. You may want to confirm it's OK for alloy tanks, I've used it on rusty motorcycle fuel tanks (steel) and they have been perfect since.
The jel in your tank is a micro bug that canm grow in diesel in warmer conditions. I came across this when I was in the Merchant Navy. If the diesel is in constant use, ie refreshed regularly, it does not occur.
Just an idea, if you decide to keep the tanks while they are out is the time to install an inspection hatch in the top of them. Future you will be grateful if you ever need to get inside of those tanks for any reason.
Matt’s the dentists in Mexico are less than 1/4 the prices ! You could fly there and back and have a 1 week mini vacation and probably still come out ahead .
That handrail gets a lot of use 😂😂😂
😂Don't tell Eva!
Ava smiles every time…
He uses it a lot more than Eva, it's getting nice and smooth from his hand rubbing it 60 times a day 😅😂😅😊
Or he trying not to use it but the mind says it there
I’m sure glad he thought of the idea to install a hand rail!!😂
We had a diesel tank that corroded and was actually leaking. We took it to a company that specialised in repairing truck tanks; they cleaned it up, welded the pitted aluminium, and coated the inside with a special coating that came with a ten-year guarantee. Five years later, there are still no problems.
Ye, overall they look in decent shape, after a bit of cleaning and maybe having one of them specialized guys look over it, just in case, they should be good to go. Definitely cheaper than buying new or buying newly-used.
If you watch this channel long enough: Mads enjoys doing a proper refit and repair of an old boat, that is his specialty. This channel has grown around that very strategy.
Qualified welder here. Clean the tanks really well using alum safe degreaser and plenty of water. look for any pitting especially around the welded areas. Just for piece of mind, I would take them to get NDT tested, to check for cracks or deep corrosion/pitting.
I had a crack in a one cubic meter tank, on a 1,5 year old boat ⛴️ probably stress........ 😢
Please put in good sized inspection ports on top of both fuel tanks
That white, gooey stuff in the diesel tank may be poultice, or aluminum hydroxide. Practical Sailor mentions it as "harbingers of early death" for aluminum tanks. The article is titled "Diesel Fuel Tank Replacement" is a good, practical (heh) read on tank basics and replacement considerations.
Hi Mads, one trick I have used when making sheet metal parts is to include small holes in the cad, which I later drill out once the part is bent. It saves quite a bit of measuring and you know the parts are all the same. Great work and thanks for the wonderful videos. Robin
At 83 I am becoming an armchair sailor, but your videos always keep me engaged, thanks so much for your effort regardless of the boat
Hey, just wanted to say thank you for your lifetime of hard work and experiences.
Your generation is special and we are all lucky to have people like you still around!
Hey Mads! We met at the recent boat show. I’m an ex Nuclear welder and have used most of the best welders on the market. Based on your wish list (mine was the same) I have an Everlast 210ext and it’s as good as the $4000 miller I use at our shop. That being said I’m intrigued by the Arccaptain tig 200… those are my suggestions 😉
Thanks for the advice! I’m definitely going to check out that Arccaptain TIG 200. 🙂
Perfect recommendation. I was going to suggest Everlast.
There is a product called alumabright may have misspelled it..used for cleaning fuel tanks on 18 wheelers..it foams up and cleans tank to a shine..its a mild acid. ...if use macuric acid will turn aluminum black and eat it..but that other stuff won't...maybe even sell it at truck stops..it a very common product in America...im a diesel mechanic..hope that helps...best of luck
I'm loving this channel. I'm new but. It's like a Sunday hug I need
There are years of Sunday hugs if you go back to the beginning :)
Some of us have been here since Obelix … starting to wonder what is stopping me from refitting my own boat 😅
@@peteralund Oh glorious sanding?
@@TheDirtCreature Man Glitter spread throughout
In case any of you are new… Mads has a degree in post-it-note project management. His skills are off the chart!
Yup. Let's hope he never repeats the infamous 'post-it episode' from a few years ago.
@ we don’t talk about that Jim.
Good start Mads! For those tanks I'd just cut inspection holes in the top to clean them out and reseal with a slightly bigger plate and gasket. They will need cleaning again in the years to come.
The music is fantastic, you are a master repairer everything .
Best regards from Mexico.
I agree with the comments that said to have the diesel tanks cleaned and tested. I would also look into possibly cutting in an inspection port on each tank, large enough that you could reach your arm in, if need be, that you can put a removable lid on, that would make cleaning and servicing much easier on down the line. 👍 By the way, I am enjoying very much your videos. I ran across you when you first found the Anteries Catamaran. Good Job! And Good Luck!
Another good episode, Mads. Your ability to just get rid of the old wiring shows that you are on your third refit. Trying to save and reuse often ends up costing more in both dollars and time and a clean slate is oh so satisfying. Save the old wiring though and take it to a metal recycler, with the price of copper these days you have hundreds of dollars worth so it is worth the trip(s).
Great video - thanks Mads. I bet Ava was smiling watching you put that handrail on your stairs to good use. You needed it when carrying that tank off the boat but you were also using it when just walking down hands free.
I do enjoy how chill you are as things evolve.
Here I am relaxing on a Sunday and then suddenly in the middle of sprint planning. At least we don’t have to assign story points!
Amen
Miller welders are the gold standard in the US for home or small workshop welders.
When you got this boat, I was thinking about what bad luck she had going through that hurricane. Today watching you start to bring her back to life reminded me of what good luck she has having you own her now. She will be better than new when you're done so she can begin her second life better than her first! Nice work Mads! 👍
There are companies that specialize in cleaning marine tanks. Take the tanks to them for a cleaning, inspection and pressure testing!
My suggestion as well. Take them to a professional for cleaning, inspection, and testing.
Always look forward to your videos on Sunday…. You are my guilty pleasure with the sail life and renovating this catamaran. I am sure it will be better than the original once you are one.
Thank you for sharing this info with us. You are great inspiration for others who are following in the rebuild or refit journey. 🤗⛵😊🇺🇸
Great episode, thank you!... forget about cleaning tanks with buck shot , chains and various chemicals etc. You have them out an thats a big plus. To property clean the tanks take them to a tank truck repair shop and have them steam cleaned. They do this every day before welding on aluminum tanks that haul diesel & gasoline. They would also be able to probably dispose of what comes out of the tanks, and maybe your drum of old diesel besides welding in some exta bungs or inspection hatches. Not sure where you're located in FL, but every major city has these tank truck repair shops, or just ask a driver making a delivery at a gas station where they take his tank truck to be repaired.
Yay - new JIRA sprint board!!
I have built and repaired many aluminum fuel tanks. Sand the outsides down with 80 grit until the whole tank is bare aluminum and at least most of the oxide layer has been removed. this is to ensure that the oxide layer is not hiding a leak. Try to rent a cement mixer and ratchet strap the tank to it and put a couple lbs of old hardware like nuts bolts and washers in it with a couple gallons of degreaser and water. let that run for a few hours and it will clean the inside out nicely. Then pressurize it to using a hose a check valve and your own lungs no need to put any more pressure than you can with your lungs it is really easy to bulge a flat sided tank. Spay it with dish soap and water or better yet bubble solution. If you have any leaks triple rinse the tank then take carbide bit and cut into the leak until you are sure you have thick metal and have removed any contamination if needed add a patch panel or just fill the hole with weld mig or tig is fine. there are a few different tank liner 2 part epoxy liners that I will not recommend in favor or against but IF I was going to use it I would only do the bottom 5 inches where water may set. normally I would epoxy coat the outside to prevent corrosion but because of your mounting situation I do not think its needed. between the agitation on the inside and sanding on the outside if there is anything that is ever going to leak with out further corrosion it should show its self. I have never had a repaired tank start leaking again after doing this procedure.
definitely the most entertaining solution so far!
I,ve been watching for years - Thank you very much
GREAT THOUGHT AND WORK MADS ,wishing you well and keep going .😉👍
Boat building aside, there are some impressive video making skills here. Starting counting the different camera positions, but gave up after 30 seconds or so (about 5 in that time). Makes it very interesting. Thanks for putting in the time. Am fast becoming a fan -
My UA-cam joy for the week. This episode on every sunday!!! Thank you!
This boat is gonna be amazing. The scale of work is huge, but so was Athena once you started tearing everything out.
No longer leaking, amazing first achievement! I can't wait to finally see this boat restored to its former glory.
May have been a short video BUT I saw some real progress. You are set up and ready to rock 'n roll!
People love the Primeweld 225. It has tons of features for about $800 plus argon tank and regulator and etc, etc. The HITBOX TIG Welder AC/DC with Pulse, 200Amp for like $350 is good value - if it works and reviews are promising on Amazon. I am quite happy with my DEKO AC/DC Inverter TIG/MMA Welder,250A. It was about $420 and has all the bells and whistles and for me important was that it was small to keep on the boat. The Primeweld is a large beast. The Primeweld has a nice CK Worldwide torch included. The biggest improvement I made for my unit was buying a nice torch. After that it runs smoothly. Don't underestimate the value of a good torch. I honestly think that is why the Primeweld gets such great reviews and the Deko less so. Good luck!
Great update; very informative. Thanks 🙂
Nice muscling that tank out Mads.....Impressive project management.
Yes but potentially damaging to your spine. Jobs like that are really for two people but I suppose waiting for Eva to get back wasn’t on the cards ?
Re: fuel tank - jab a sharp pick or small screwdriver in any areas that look corroded. If it pokes through just toss the tanks and have new ones made.
If it passes the poke test, fill it up with a couple gallons of gasoline and slosh it around. Add an access port to the top and scrub what you can get with a long handled brush. Don’t mess with commercially available access ports. Cut a piece of 1/8 aluminum with an inch overlap and tap the tank for machine screws
Clean, etch and epoxy paint the outside the same way you’d prep an aluminum hull. Should last forever. Once you get them up and running make liberal use of biocide at every fill up and run a dual 2 micron racor setup that you can “hot swap”
Hi Guys,
We met in Charleston at the meet and greet, my welder of choice is the Dynasty 200 from Miller it has great user interface and dual voltage. It is a very portable 5 amp to 200 amp Tig and stick.
Love the project.
You're amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Take the parts over to Sunshine Welding, they're about a block East from Athena. They do excellent work at good rates. Getting a welder is probably overkill for the amount of work you're going to do.
Note for the future wiring restoration.
There are companies in the US that make custom wire harnesses for cars. I;m sure there is the equivalent in boating or the car side might be persuaded to due marine wiring.
Hi Mads; Looking at the comments from welders and knowing a few friends that had aluminum tanks the road forward seems to have both tank redone by a professional. They have been submerged in salt water and left to percolate. This seems like a formula for trouble down the line. How about seeing if you can find used tanks that are in better condition than the ones that came with the boat? This is all ez for me since it will be your sweat and toil to rehab them. Good luck !
Also, I have enjoyed your channel since the beginning. You are a testament to what hard work and a willingness to learn can achieve. I will be in Jupiter mid January, if you need a hand let me know.
Hobby welder here. I have both a YesWelder and an Everlast brand welding rig. I've been beyond thrilled with my Everlast, but woefully disappointed in the YesWelder. The Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT should check all of your boxes, but it certainly isn't the cheapest one out there.
Thank you for the advice
With regards to the tanks; use add about 5 pounds of number 6 shot-gun shell shot (lead shot) mixed with a gallon of a Bosh product called "Alumia Bright", rotate the tanks on 2 axes to break up the (junk in the trunk). Rotate a few min, let set rotate again, and let set, repeat a few times, drain, and rinse.
Thanks for the Video. This catamaran is quite a challenge! Even after many years, it’s always a pleasure to Watch Mads’ skills (long time since Obelix reflex stove)
I own an AHP 200 Amp tig. Its been a good welder. Upgraded the torch to a CK. Very capable machine.
AND the Princess hand rail came in handy when walking that tank down to ground level. :)
Sunday spiffy catamaran thanks for your time ❤
I built my own aluminum fuel tanks, I have a 'rectangular' inspection port in each tank. By being rectangular you can get a backing plate inside the hole, drilled and tapped. Fit a gasket and you can clean the tank if and when required. Regarding your stainless welding don't fall into the trap that everything needs to be TIG welded, stick welding is so much cheaper and faster than TIG. If you end for end your paints etc whilst in storage they are much easier to mix at a later date.
Something Eva would find rewarding! Lol!
I have a 200amp Weld Pro tig welder. Has everything your looking for. AC/DC high frq start. Multi voltage input. And it's fairly inexpensive and very reliable. On Amazon I payed 800. Came with the better flexi torch
something about watching you dig through a boat! :)
I know you are not a Floridian but we are done with hurricanes. Odds of getting hit any year are slim but you got the gold ring this season at least once. We are about 60 miles west of you. When the cold fronts start coming through, hurricane odds drop dramatically
Amazing "Rat's Nest" of wiring cables!! Mind boggling to think about replacing all of that. Wishing you continued good luck with the rebuild.
.
I’ve had this welder and it’s awesome, compact and versatile! Miller Multimatic 220 AC/DC
I bet all that wiring mess triggered your ocd😊 I am intimidated thinking of rewiring a boat, but I know it will be a piece of cake for you, Mads.
I have and use a 120/240 Primeweld 225x tig welder with ac/dc pulse, awesome machine, will stick weld too and best of all $735 new. Lots of actual knobs for adjusting amps, pulse etc.
A word of caution about that leak you fixed:
Sailing Parlay Revival ripped the two hull halves apart by simply attaching a spinnaker sheet to a cleat at the bow of one of the hulls. Colin tabbed the two hull halves together with fiberglass. You need something stronger than sealant to strengthen that joint. I would imagine that rolling sea would impart shear forces on the hull halves.
Thanks for sharing. If you are going to use the old diesel tanks, you will find out best when you inspect them and see the condition and take into account how old they are. I have aluminum diesel tanks in my boat that are almost 40 years old and as good as new. They stand free on an aluminum frame with aluminum bands around. I have a drain in the bottom at the lowest point so I can drain if there is water.
3000 PSI gasoline pressure washer is very handy for cleaning inside and outside. And spinning nozzle will take good care of the old paint that must go off the fiberglass. I got mine from Craigslist for $200 and I love it. Very clean and super quick paint removal, and it's very fun to do it. Weeks of sanding can be done in an hour without any damages to fiberglass.
Thanks!
Thanks for the update!
🙂
This is Mads at his best. Not sailing but getting ready to engage in sanding.
Glorious sanding 😅😊
@@GregoryAlbright-t3p - Mads seems happier boat building than actually sailing.
Love you guys💕keep the video coming 👍🇬🇧👍💕💕💕
Slowly getting there one project at a time. Very nice.
As for the tanks, I think you have done the hard work. Take the tanks to a local tank shop and have them clean and assess them. I am sure a marine tank shop could give you a great recommendation based on real experience and actual hands on inspection. I am sure those could be repaired/re-inforced for far less than crafting new tanks. As for a welder, the Titanium multi-process welders available from Harbor Freight are very handy. You can get a really nice one for under a grand on sale. I would suggest getting a 100/220 model as you could do quite a bit of work with it. 110v welders will handle welding 1/8" steel to 1/4" steel fairly well but not anything much thicker. That said, there are tons of different welders brands available online and reviews are generally your best advice. Plus, the newer welders are much lighter than the older ones and those would be much easier to store in your boat. Storing a gas bottle for MIG welding would be a major pain so you might look at the small flux core welders for steel only. The Harbor Freight Titanium EZ Flux 125 is an amazing little machine that does not require a bottle. My brother and I have those and we are constantly amazed at what you can do with it for under $150. It's small and it stores easily. Just upgrade to some better flux wire, like INE from Italy. INE wire is available from Amazon in the 5 lb spools.
Suggest you cut large inspection holes in tanks to decide if you tanks are worth using. You can gasket and create covers for the inspection holes if you decide to keep tanks.
For a welder recomendation.. Primeweld 225 for sure..great welder and meets your specs...
The stirring comment reminds me of a protection officer employed at a rather famous palace, apart from discussing work related things, he always said the best part of his day was 'stirring'. Being one of the cushiest roles in active UK policing, there was lots of banter between the numerous officers themselves, household staff and others of the 3rd degree. Sure they worked unsociable hours, travelled to other palaces, etc. but they were very well paid particularly for overtime.
The multi project mode sounds good. I'm curious how having a workshop below the boat works for you. Do you know how often/much time you spend using the stairs? Although I guess it is a bonus to work out of the sun.
I recollect other UA-camrs having issues with tanks in aluminium hulls, Vet Tails and Odd Life. Water and the white deposit seem concerning. Worth getting more diverse advice.
Great progress...nice seeing things move to the "done" side of the board. Cleanup has to be the worst part to feel like you are making progress but it's looking much better.
Another great video Mads 👍
Great video
Tanks: if no inspection hole (like Athena), create one. Clean inside and outside thoroughly, check for leaks and have the insides or outsides resealed.
Pittsburg pump, I see you found Harbor Freight.
Shaping up nicely!
Guten Tag Mads! I bet you can get some coin for the wire. Might want to get that to a recycler. Foreword progress! Stay safe!
I am a home welder, and have an AHP Alpha Tig. Got mine back in 2018, and it's still working great, - and I see they are still on Amazon. Both 120v and 240v, AC and DC, and it can do stick, which I haven't done yet. I have welded stainless and aluminum with it, and it's been good. Not all that expensive when you consider what new Miller or Lincoln welders cost.
Hey Mads, as my buddy said, you buy a boat to have something to work on. 😂 Great video Thanks. 🍻🍻
Try to re-use those tanks as you know they fit. Get someone to make and fit large inspection ports in the top. With those you can ensure you have it really clean. You can also use the inspection port lid as the mount for supply and return ports and the sender mount.
I think it should be referred to now as "The Spiffy Handrail " 😅😂😅😊
Whatever you get, make sure the torch has a gas lens, rather than a collet body.
The gold standard in the US: HTP Invertig 221. It's not crazy cheap, but it's worth every penny - especially since it comes standard with the accessories you actually want. I used it for sanitary stainless at a food products development lab. The ONLY problem: it's 220v.
If price mattered: Everlast Power i-TIG 200T. Unfortunately DC only, and you'd still want to buy the CK17 torch that the HTP comes with. I wouldn't even unwrap the original torch (or consumables!) from the plastic. I used this welder 10 years ago to make bicycles.
Probably the right mix of features: Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT. It even comes with superflex torches, but you really want a 17 torch for most things. 9 is for bicycle frames, 26 is for fabrication and 17 is good for both if you just want one.
Best decision to throw out all the old cables and wires, as you already said, you'll never know in what hidden corner they will start smoldering if you put them under some load.
And we all know how much you are in elctronics and devices talking to eachother over bus wires, you'll have to put in a bunch of wires anyway, so jut throw a set of power wires in, togrhter with data lines and you're good to go!
👍👍👍
Very early morning here in the south east Asia when the vdo is posted.
Looks like someone found the handy dandy hand rail safety system useful....One point for Ava
Hi, I’d suggest making a fuel polisher, if you haven’t already, not expensive but really useful to have when cruising
The one man that can do it all :)
5:44 yeah, i've seen enough movies and X-files episodes to know what's going to happen next.
I’m with you on this. That stuff will somehow come to life and hurt someone.
Remember the film Alien's.........
Suggest you thoroughly clean the inside as well as the outside. Seal all the apertures on the tank and conduct a pressure test. Test pressure can be five psi. Take a mixture of water and dish soap place it in a sprayer and spray all of the seams of the tank. Monitor the pressure to ensure you’re not losing any pressure. If the soap test and pressure test is successful, congratulations you have a good diesel tank. You may also want to paint it.
First … it’s too funny that you used the hand rail to carry out the old fuel tanks down to work area 🤣🤣🤣 Second you can reuse the tanks as long as….you have no pin holes or rust on your tanks. Just clean them out really good … like on any other fuel tanks. Love your videos. Sand on.
Mads,I have the same electric shears as your newly gifted ones.Done lots of 1708 with them and very happy with their performance.
I would probably use some spare planks as a temporary floor instead of dancing on weird parts :) Good luck with the refit.
That sludge coming out of the diesel tank almost put me off my beer…. Almost ;-)
New tanks for sure..25 year old tanks are not good..great video.
Aluminum tanks, are ok, lots of commercial and recreational boats have them with little to no issues for many years
Just cut large hatches in the top so they can be inspected/cleaned
When you put them (if they are ok), ensure you can get at them from the top in the future for maintenance.
I would have sourced the 314ss locally, you can get much better prices when you sow them what you can get online
If the fuel tanks are salvagable you should check out POR15 fuel tank liner kit, fairly inexpensive and will seal the tank and prevent corroision and scale inside an old tank.
You may want to confirm it's OK for alloy tanks, I've used it on rusty motorcycle fuel tanks (steel) and they have been perfect since.
The jel in your tank is a micro bug that canm grow in diesel in warmer conditions. I came across this when I was in the Merchant Navy. If the diesel is in constant use, ie refreshed regularly, it does not occur.
Just an idea, if you decide to keep the tanks while they are out is the time to install an inspection hatch in the top of them. Future you will be grateful if you ever need to get inside of those tanks for any reason.
Matt’s the dentists in Mexico are less than 1/4 the prices ! You could fly there and back and have a 1 week mini vacation and probably still come out ahead .
Just watching your videos makeses me feel like my life is more organized 🤔
Of course it isn't 😂😂
But then I did sell my boat, so that helps 👍🏼