"A New Boat"-- Part 3 ("Fuel Tank Inspection Ports")

[@RobFomenko]

During a sea trial of a Tayana 37 out of Houston, as soon as we got into some chop, the engine died. We sailed along, changed the fuel filter and restarted the engine, because we were evaluating the boat, not just the sailing part of it, and of course the engine died again, and again with each fuel filter. After gettting her back to the dock, the tanks were cleaned and it was full of crud. Didn't buy that boat, because I talked myself out of it... but the memory of a dirty fuel tank lives on.
Thanks for video.

[@bensteel3944]

I love your commentary style Christian ... think that's why people love your videos and you deserve more views I feel .. awesome

[@Trapster99]

Thank you for that Bird's Eye view of an important and complex job. One that I don't have the skill or the tools to really do myself. It was an eye opener though.

[@poche660]

This is really important. Even new boats can have debris inside their fuel tanks. And the engine will run fine at the dock. And then, the debris at the bottom of the tank gets stirred up by sea motion underway shutting down the engine when you need it the most.

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

I would say it's smart to have a look inside before starting off on a long passage with a new boat. It's a lot easier to fix in port rather than at sea.

[@j.brianbobiak12]

I bought my copy. I'm halfway through. Loving it so far. I can hear your voice as I read. Its funny how the mind works.

[@geozantrox666]

Same here, have to cut open the cabin s floor to lift the tank out and open the hatches and clean it. Messy job for something so simple in principle, it could have been done 40 years ago during the construction of the boat....pity , but this way we fix the problem once and for all and can clean the tank periodically

[@brucekratky7993]

No substitute for really clean. None. Nicely done.

[@robertorzech2466]

Great job skipper ! Good video also. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us ! Cheers

[@billbaxter2914]

Very nice job. Sail on my friend. Great videos. Thanks

[@YachtMarineBrokerage]

Great Job Christian! I will do the same for my boat...Just need...TIME Love your videos..Looking forward for more.
Going to buy your book

[@gillfowdy]

Good video! Peace of mind knowing what's in there.

[@queenofyeay]

Good video as usual. Tapping holes into aluminum is pretty easy UNLESS you go too fast.

[@bikentrike]

WD40 for lubricant

[@Atr42Greasemonkey]

Love your videos . In aviation we treat the tanks with Bioborjf this kills the microbial contamination (Sludge) that feeds off the diesel or jet fuel.

[@SeanFChannel]

I was going to ask a question about the metal shavings!

[@theislandpackrat]

Good to see a person do it right!

[@dianes4858]

Thank you for showing your expertise once again. Great video!

[@sailingvesselsouthernlady447]

Great job! It's good to know you have a clean tank.

[@hermanloman5343]

Sailing Vessel Southern Lady .

[@ABeriault]

I like your DIY clips....wish you did more!
Very few out there know how to do them....most have too much music, too much fast forward instead of just plain cuts...
I like your work....
Too you are West coast I am East coast because I would go and visit you.
Cheers
Andre
PS....only other fun DIY out there are: iMads at Sail Life and two young kids at Sailing UMA and their all-encompassing courage and taste for life!

[@nataliya2641]

Nice.

[@gary5749]

nice done skipper! well executed!!

[@PrinceKlutz]

Great vid. Takes me back. I have three fiction books on Amazon, named after Bangkok, Puerto Vallarta, and Maui, combined with a love of blues music.

[@tahoo2121]

Good feeling after a job well done. waves

[@capjon67]

Thank you!

[@waynemazan7485]

Great video thanks..

[@garygreen8737]

after a good job you did, might as well put the filters in too !

[@Every_Day_Adventure]

even the mundane made entertaining.

[@capjon67]

Thank you. I'm researching this topic right now and of course, your video is the best source. I'm curious, How did you clean the asphaltene out of your tank?

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Wipes off easily with household cleaner

[@propbraker]

Needs some stickers on it! lol

[@brucesinclair2981]

i like your videos

[@alextodd5487]

did you label those inspection ports? they're similar enough to get mixed up if more than one is removed.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Good point. Yes, I put identifying drill indents on each lid to match similar indents on the tank surface. Each gasket has a pointed tab to assure the same orientation each time.

[@pavloskourris277]

Christian hi, what did you use to clean up all that diesel (?) residue gunk. When I inspected my tanks and found exactly the same stuff I used an alkaline cleaner neutralize

[@Mile3500]

Will galvanic corrosion be a concern with stainless steel screws into aluminum?

[@garyseven777]

Not to diss the work, but shouldn’t there be some primer under the anti foul coats?

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Hi, On a different subject, I enjoy star gazing, and imagine that without terrestrial light pollution, the night sky must be amazing. I never see videos showing the night sky. Is this because it's difficult to photograph? If possible, could you include starry sky videos in one of your videos? Thanks

[@MrGulf4]

How did you clean the gunk out of the tank before you tapped the holes? Great video's.

[@FlashinthePan82]

and where shall we solo this great vessel?

[@johnfisher8648]

Very interesting. How did you remove the diesel in the tank? Did you clean/polish the fuel and re-use it? Thanks

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Rattle siphon through the sender port. Diesel pump would've been 10x easier. I recycled (discarded) the old fuel.

[@cbrucewarren]

did you put any thing on screws since you are putting SS into Al, ie. dissimilar metals = corrision

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

The nitrile rubber provides separation with isolation aided by the aviation sealant.

[@freelectron2029]

@@ChristianWilliamsYachting not with the currnet physics in this universe it doesnt.

[@briansayers9453]

Hello Christian. I have an '83 Ericson 38 that has developed a leak in the fuel tank so that fuel drips down into the battery box. I will need to open upi the fuel tank area as you did in your video. I am hesitant to start as I do not know if that once I start cutting through the glassed over seam by the hull side that I might cut through hoses or wiring in that area. I have the same ribbed hose on the right side that you have. I do not know if its lower or higher up than what I see in your video.
Were you concerned about this before you cut through the glassed over seam? Is there an option to see the area between the tank and the hull beforer attempting the cut? Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks, Brian Sayers

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Brian--Join us at the Ericson forum. It's free, and so is the expert opinion there. www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/forum.php

[@briansayers9453]

@@ChristianWilliamsYachting
Thanks Christian for responding. I have an account on the Ericson site and in the forum found your note and pic on the fuel tank.
I'm surmising I have to do the same thing you did, which is remove all te screw on the left side and cur though the glassed over seam on the right side. A friend believes we can cut though the top with hitting wires or hoses. i sure hope so, bit it makes me nervous. In the U Tbe video I can see the rubbed hose on the right side; I have the same in my boat. In your pic on the forum page I don't see that hose.
We'll be tacking this in the next wek or two, so hopefully we can get the tank exposed, removed (worried ablut that foam), and get the leak repaired.
Thanks again, Brian Sayers

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

@@briansayers9453 Job makes a mess but not a big challenge. The ribbed hose is for the Whale manual cockpit bilge pump. Cheers/CW

[@SakeBarSushi]

If your diesel tank doesn't have an inspection hatch you can easy retrofit one from a company in Australia www.cleandiesel.com.au/shop/

[@freelectron2029]

$600 for a piece of stainless and a gasket i can have laser cut myself for $30.... yeah nah mate.

[@freelectron2029]

this is not the ideal method. this would not have passed a pressure test. this method will have leaked up the threads and out from under the head of the bolt.

[@SakeBarSushi]

Good job but it looks that took you a lot of time to do it. There is a company in Australia called Clean Diesel that manufactures some hatches that apparently install in 10 minutes and do not require any welding. Here is the link: eshop.cleandiesel.com.au/ Hope that helps someone for future similar jobs.