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Tonight I removed the
fuel tank and thought would be very difficult, but it took about 15 minutes
after the coffin top was removed.
The tank popped right out, but did take some front to back manipulation. I found
removing the foam to be a PITA, but it came out and I found a little water. This
is where the project turned for me. Originally I did not intend to pull the tank
but decided to anyway. Since things are getting a little cold here up north and
I found a little water in the coffin foam I decided to install a propane heating
system in my garage/shop, which is a double deep garage. I had previously used a
open flame propane heater (dangerous) and decided it was time to step up to
something safer since I would be running the garage/work-area at 70 degrees all
winter. My house is natural gas, but since propane is cheaper and easier I just
ordered a ceiling hung direct vent unit and will swap propane bottles until such
time I have a big tank dropped outside my garage (thank-you Nothern Tool). I
have not told my wife that the boat is going in the garage and she will not be
parking there, but I think she loves me enough and will understand that I'm
doing this for the family.....
The removed tank looks great with some small areas of oxidation. I would like to
keep the same tank, but will pressure test first and if good, I will sandblast
and treat the tank to zinc chromate before the coal tar routine. I want to make
sure it will hold fuel.
I've had the chance
to clean the tank up and it looks great. I intended to paint it with zinc
chromate over the weekend, but did not have the free time I originally intended.
I will be glassing the holes in the console tomorrow night and painting the
tank. In the future I also intend on glassing all the foam holes in the coffin
(6 total) and will install a drain to bilge unit in the stern-most lowest point,
this is more precautionary since I will seal the coffin cover so no water
enters. Before glassing, I will move the boat inside and keep in a heated garage
for 1 - 2 weeks and have a fan to air the bilge. I want the foam as dry as
possible.
The sides looks great even after a good stipping/scrubbing. I will repaint with zinc chromate primer and also the bottom (same as sides). Zinc Chromate primer combined with coal tar should last longer than me.
It's been a slow
week, more rain, cooler weather and work related events infringing on my project
time. Tonight was a bust because I ran out of fiberglass catalyst and the local
marine store was closed today. This will not be an issue going forward as I will
be ordering a 5gal container of resin and copious amounts of catalyst.
The highlight of my day is my new garage heater that showed up, but as luck
would have it the vent kit (required for use) is backordered two weeks. Here's
my current heat system, which is very dangerous and only operated when I am
present and without any fumes present.
This is what I am replacing it with 45,000 BTU for double deep garage, direct vent and the flame is not exposed to indoor (garage) fumes.
Console progress is slow, but by this time next week should be looking pretty good and about ready for Awlgrip. Here's what I started with.
Additional things for the next week while I am fiberglassing are the rear compartments and coffin cover. I've seen many Makos where the rear hatches absorb water through the hinges and sometime even corrode the aluminum backers.
Also, On some boats the coffin covers seem to be neglected when leaning post and seating arrangements change and the unfilled holes absorb water so I will also recore the coffin cover which should be rather simple since all the cutting is from the rough side (inside) and it's totally flat. Image to follow when I start cutting.
