Thanks guys ... I have to fess up, however, the wrench idea (which worked well) is not mine to claim; I read about it online, in another forum (probably a sail boat forum - those guys seem to be undaunted by any task). Tank is in, working on details ...
Well then we say thanks for sharing. My tanks are in the bays and just ran new fuel lines. Next will be to secure them and put the deck back in place
Hi All. I got my tank and put it in. To create a file that I could post I had to cut the file to Part 1 removal, and Part 2, Installation. Hopefully this can help some of the others that Have tanks on order. I think maybe Richard said he is up to 5 orders now. thanks Gary
OK To finish up ... New Tank! New Bulkhead New Tank set in place _ superstructure to suspend tank begun _ bulkhead prepared for glassing Forward bulkhead glassed in Superstructure to suspend and hold tank in place, and brace for bulkhead in preparation for foam Foam materials in-the-ready Decided to add an additional safeguard against tank movement All foamed in _ superstructure removed Continued, next post
Cont. All glassed in, all four edges The 17's tank compartment is such a strange duck; the deck cover sits on aluminum bar stock strips, it does not rest on the fiberglass lip; the deck cover is not sealed in; it is, in effect, a vent; I decided to build a gutter system to channel any water, that might work it's way trough 'the vent', to the bilge Cross member is reinstalled I used aluminum angle, both sides, overlapping on the bottom; all backbedded with 4200 Glassed in the seams created by the saw cuts (Note: there is another Shamrock owner here in Naples that owns a 20 and a 17. He removed the cap on his 17 and told me that the task 'wasn't too bad'; that conversation played significantly in my decision to lift the cap; cutting the cross member to remove the tank becomes unnecessary if the cap is removed _ please, this is not a suggestion, just an observation) The finished assembly of tank, bulkhead, water gutter and cross member Ta Da ... ! Splash time PS: I wanted to do this pictorial essay to document the steps involved in replacing the fuel tank in the 17 footer for the benefit of others in our forum who might also face the 'replace the tank' decision/project. Of course the project grew to include resealing the cap to hull seam (thanks to Gary S for the push in the right direction there), sealing the liner to hull seam and removal of the itchy stuff; the rub rail had to be removed, and the cap had to be lifted in order to go after those goals. Richard Shepard offered tons of advice and experience in addition to acting the purchasing agent. Thanks to Gary (GH Shamrock 170) for his parallel observations and the excellent pdf file attachments which document the process. The Shamrock Forum is such a great place, populated by enthusiastic, helpful, knowledgeable people. Could it have been done differently? Better? Of course. I'm 74 and this is the only boat I've ever owned, and I claim no expertise. However, "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing , as simply messing about in boats."
Great Job. Looks professional and maybe better since it is your boat so you put the extra care in doing it right. And yes this forum has some great people with a lot of knowledge
