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Random Quote: I caught you a delicious bass. - Napoleon Dynamite
I am new to this forum but have been researching for weeks and need some help. Unfortunately, I am having an issue with my fiberglass tanks with the epoxy barrier coming off in the tanks. YF has always been excellent with customer service and has offered to clean them out at no charge to me. The major downside is that I will have to check these tanks every six months or so and clean them again or pay someone to do it.
The other option is to pay for the aluminum fuel tanks and have them inserted within the fiberglass tank. I would lose capacity which is not to big a deal considering the boat hold over 500 gallons. I am more concerned about not having the boat for several months and the $ involved to fix it. I also understand that the new non-skid may not be as good as it is under the original mold and may hold more dirt? Anyhow, it sounds like a gut job to me and I really am not interested if I can avoid it.
Are there any other YF owners out there with the same problem or can offer me some advice? Have any of you had any success stories with just cleaning them out? I am leaning towards having them cleaned and then me doing it until the epoxy is gone.
From what i have heard fiberglass tanks just dont get along with the ethanol. If you plan on keeping the boat for a long period spend the money to replace the tanks. You can get custom tanks built to whatever size you want for less than 1000 per tank. I had a 90 gallon tank built for 600. It shouldnt take that long to put in the new tanks if they know the size and can make them prior to cutting up the deck. The gelcoat that they put on when they fix the deck will not wear as well as the original that was in the mold but not terrible either as long as you keep it up.
From what I have seen with mine the only thing that peels is the lid and once its eventually done peeling it seems to be fine. From what I have seen with mine the actual fiberglass its self is holding up just fine. I took the inspection lids of my self and the fuel is crystal clear. Just have the screens put on your fuel pick up lines and clean out the tanks as needed once a year or so until its done peeling. Its really not that big of a deal, I did this and have not had any problems. Talk to Wylie about it if you want, he still had hull number one running last time I talked to him with its origional tanks. Wylie is a good guy, he will not BS you.
I would definately replace the tanks. It's really not a big deal and the guys @ YF will do a top notch job. As far as the non-skid, it's a sprayed on finish that is in the mold but is easily repaired and re-sprayed. You will never notice the difference. They could also pull the deck and replace the tanks that way and no cutting would need to be done.
BoatHaus: Just removing the deck sounds easy, but doesn't really work. Once a boat is assembled, they are very difficult, if not impossible to get apart. Often, in boats with fiberglass tanks, the tanks also serve as a structural portion of the boat. So, removing the deck might be accomplished with several cases of high explosives. A cruise missile would also work.
But the great thing about Yellowfin is that they are proud of their work and will happily show you how they build the boats. If you are in the area, it is very educational and well worth the time involved. Once you see one get put together, you'll know how they can hit wave after wave and just shrug it off.
BoatHaus: Just removing the deck sounds easy, but doesn't really work. Once a boat is assembled, they are very difficult, if not impossible to get apart. Often, in boats with fiberglass tanks, the tanks also serve as a structural portion of the boat. So, removing the deck might be accomplished with several cases of high explosives. A cruise missile would also work.
But the great thing about Yellowfin is that they are proud of their work and will happily show you how they build the boats. If you are in the area, it is very educational and well worth the time involved. Once you see one get put together, you'll know how they can hit wave after wave and just shrug it off.
my shop is right next door an dwe have pulled decks on over 50 boats from 20' to 33HS, 33 Coastals, etc, etc. In every single case, the owners say how much better and quieter the boats are. I talk about it like its no big deal ,but we have done so many , its second nature. The hardest one to date is a 2000 model 302 Scarb Sport. They have a hell of a lot of bonding surface. here's some pics http://www.boathaus.net/302_Scarab_S...ore/index.html
24/7 - I'm not saying the built in tanks are wrong, but if the OP doesn't mind less capacity why not eliminate any possibility of future issues. I haven't seen what the ethanol is doing to the tanks but coultn't it be dissolved into goo and run through the filters and possibly the motors or clog the filters and lines? If anyone has a good fix, it Wylie. He's a smart dude no doubt. Just my two cents. I don't mean to come across an a know it all.
I had the problem with my tanks as well. Yellowfin ultimately inserted the aluminum tanks for me. I never had a problem again. Spend the money, for peace of mind. You will not regret. The last thing you want is to second guess yourself 100 miles off the beach.
What years did they put in fiberglass tanks up to?
Depends on what model your talking about. The 36 was in '09, the 32 when that model first came out which was '08, the 31 I believe always had them, some other boats (random years) had the customers request aluminum tanks, I think the all the inshore boats always had the aluminum tanks. I do know that as of '09 all models come with aluminum tanks.
BoatHaus: Just removing the deck sounds easy, but doesn't really work. Once a boat is assembled, they are very difficult, if not impossible to get apart.
This may be the case for some less experienced repair outfits but there is nothing that Rob can't do at the Boat Haus. Check out his website and you will be amazed at some of the projects he has taken on.
OK, back to the subject at hand. I would take YF up on their free inspecting/ cleaning/ and repair service. No need to spend the extra $$ when they have a solution that is free for you and seems to be the cure.
Get the screens. You can always have Yellowfin replace the tanks at a later date if you are unhappy. I spoke to Wylie about this and he was very straight forward about the pros and cons and addressed every one of my questions
This may be the case for some less experienced repair outfits but there is nothing that Rob can't do at the Boat Haus. Check out his website and you will be amazed at some of the projects he has taken on.
So I understand! I am amazed that someone can look at it and say "No big deal". It is a project that I would love to watch in person.
[quote=spearnreel;2597028]This may be the case for some less experienced repair outfits but there is nothing that Rob can't do at the Boat Haus. Check out his website and you will be amazed at some of the projects he has taken on.
Thanks Anthem, would a 2006 34 have fiberglass tanks?
Yes, most likely...unless the original owner specifically ordered the boat with aluminum tanks. If you can get the hull i.d. # off the transom, call Yellowfin at 941-753-7828 and ask for Richard, he will be able to pull the original order sheet and tell you.
Depends on what model your talking about. The 36 was in '09, the 32 when that model first came out which was '08, the 31 I believe always had them, some other boats (random years) had the customers request aluminum tanks, I think the all the inshore boats always had the aluminum tanks. I do know that as of '09 all models come with aluminum tanks.
Hello anthem,I was looking over some past treads and come across this one,Looks like you had the same imformation or understandind that all 2009 boats had aluminum tanks,THANKS
Yellowfin Fuel Tanks
