Searider Repairs and Improvements

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Nathan k

I'd like to put a 30 litre plastic fuel tank in the deck before I seal it. (I'm already running out of deck space!) My question is would it be safe to use a Plastic fuel tank. There is a picture of the same tank on the first page. I would use a very small inspection hatch positioned directly above the filler cap to fill and turn on/off the air valve. I would run the fuel line about 30cm under the deck coming out inside the console then joining up with the other fuel lines.
The flooding hull has been blocked up btw.

You'll be lucky-there's not much room in an SR4 flooding hull. It'll 90% likely not fit.

[Nos4r2]

Here he goes.1000th post... Will it be spectacular, or will it be bilged?

[Ian M]

The problem with filler is what is used to make the filler. Things like talcum powder are often used, added to the epoxy to give it body. Such stuff may well take up water, so it is not desirable. At the very least, make sure that a sound impervious layer finishes off the job. Gelcoat is good, but I know others have used paint. I have not used paint for this type of job, so I cannot offer any advice on paints. If you use gelcoat, do not apply it layers that are too thick.
Re the fuel tank in the hull; I think it inadviseable, unless you are just going to sit the tank in the hull void, and be able to extract it at will. If permanently sealed in the hull it would need to be firmly fixed down, with no chance of 'fretting'. I am not sure how you would securely fix a plastic tank into the hull. Understand the issues with deck space, have you thought about a temporary or otherwise fixture in the console?

Finally

So, was it you Matt that sabotaged the greatest literary efforts this side of 20.00

Thats it, worn out now, not going to post for many a long day, just sit and admire that nice round number

[Nos4r2]

Or a triangular bow tank.

[Nathan k]

No more room in console, already has 22L in it, I guess just wait to see if there's space first. also the 30L at the stern does cause some problems in a head sea.
The hull is painted white so that's why I wondered if it's worth messing around with gel coat. I think I have a big tin of it laying about somewhere so I might as well use it.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Finally

So, was it you Matt that sabotaged the greatest literary efforts this side of 20.00

No, not me... I just looked at your profile after spotting the bilged posts and saw you replying so I pre-empted you

[Ian M]

That's enough number watching.
Nathan, two more items for your shopping list have occured to me. I am sure others will come up
1. Decent pair of large scissors for cutting the mat. Nicking them from the family cutlery drawer may well be frowned on
2. Acetone. You will get resin/gelcoat/flowcoat where you do not want it, acetone will very effectively clean these off provided you tackle them before they are set. Use gloves when using this stuff. As you may have seen in other recent posts, it is not carcinogenic, but it will do your skin no good.
Good luck.

[Nathan k]

I ordered 500ml of acetone not sure if that's enough

Next goal 1111?

[Ian M]

Does sound like you have got it pretty much under control

[biffer]

Been talking with Ian M and looking through these posts. And you're going to get bogged down here with really good advise. But a lot of it.
The offer I can give to you is to bring your boat and whatever you have purchased to my place and I'll show you how to do it properly.
The job sounds worse than it is. For a start if you cut the hole in the floor with a taper on it it will sit back in the same place like a plug. By the time you put a couple of bits of wet mat around the hole and push the plug back in you will hardly see it

After all said and done. There's been more said than done. Shouldn't take long and you're local and you'll be getting valuable knowledge from a grumpy old barsteward that will stand you in good stead

sent from a remote device

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by biffer

Been talking with Ian M and looking through these posts. And you're going to get bogged down here with really good advise. But a lot of it.
The offer I can give to you is to bring your boat and whatever you have purchased to my place and I'll show you how to do it properly.

I would hitch up now Nathan and head off over there......

[Neil Harvey]

Originally Posted by biffer

The offer I can give to you is to bring your boat and whatever you have purchased to my place and I'll show you how to do it properly.

with an offer like that, get to biffers asap, any tols you don't have, he might even let you borrow

[paul tilley]

take up the grumpy barstards offer ,you would be daft not to !!!

[whisper]

Yep, go for it Mr K. Biffer is a top bloke!

[Pikey Dave]

Now that IS an offer you can't refuse Nathan. All kudos to Biff

[Nathan k]

Wow thanks a lot biffer! Pm me whenever you've got time free and I'll be down there! really appreciate it.

I'm chasing up my order at the moment as I've had no confirmation that they have even received it.

I guess something went wrong with the online order, will be shipped out for friday.

[Jizm]

May even see you round there.

[biffer]

Wasn't really something a DIY guy could do. Pretty sick little boat but we will get there

sent from a remote device

[ribraff]

[skippermarky]

Well done biffer your the man matey, hope to be seeing soon regards Mark