F 36/38 Fuel tank wear

Engines, Drive trains, Propellers, Steering, Ground Tackle and other mechanical system
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Tyche
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:06 am
Location: Padanaram Harbor, South Dartmouth, MA

F 36/38 Fuel tank wear

Post by Tyche »

Went to replace the bottom of the quarter berth, which was finally showing its age and had split and was sagging. Once it was removed, the yard discovered there was additional rot further back along the engine room bulkhead where water had been dribbling down the pedestal guard and maybe down the radar mast. during the course of repairs, they also took a look at the fuel tank, which was now accessible. They found there was foam "bedding" between the tank and the hull, which had deteriorated to a point that the fiberglass had been rubbing against the tank and was close to compromising the tank. They also found there was no support between the quarter berth and the top of the tank, so when the quarter berth was being used (and the plywood aging), the quarter berth was also hitting the fuel tank. Probably wouldn't have found any of this unless the quarter berth had split and needed to be replaced.

Replacing the fuel tank (with an electronic gauge in the cockpit, which will be nice), adding supports under the tank, adding support between the tank and the quarter berth. Reinstalling the bottom of the quarter berth with screw cleats for easy removal (one side of the quarter berth was fiberglassed to the hull). Making the partition between the quarter berth and the engine removable, so access to the engine can be accomplished through the quarter berth, rather than having to empty out the cockpit locker.

Dave & Parsons Clark
Tyche 36/38
Padanaram, MA
Last edited by Tyche on Mon Apr 17, 2017 9:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

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RadioZephyr
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:04 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Fuel tank wear

Post by RadioZephyr »

Wow, that's some major surgery! I'd love to see pictures, as I've started some work on my quarterberth. I would definitely consider making that partition removable for engine access, that's a great call. What yard is doing the work?
Josh
Sunset Spy
F38, Hull #152
Boston, MA

Tyche
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:06 am
Location: Padanaram Harbor, South Dartmouth, MA

Re: Fuel tank wear

Post by Tyche »

Yeah - puts launching the boat back about 3 weeks. But with this weather, may not be an issue. Concordia in South Dartmouth (http://www.concordiaboats.com) is doing the work. They also added a sugar scoop last winter, which turned Tyche from a F36 to an F38. Really great work. Will try to get pictures, but may not be able to access the cabin while the work is being done.

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RadioZephyr
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:04 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Fuel tank wear

Post by RadioZephyr »

Yeah, it certainly looks like they have some experience...

Would you be willing to share the approximate cost of the job?
Josh
Sunset Spy
F38, Hull #152
Boston, MA

Tyche
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:06 am
Location: Padanaram Harbor, South Dartmouth, MA

Re: Fuel tank wear

Post by Tyche »

Here are pictures of the stripped out quarter berth. The water was invading the area through the radar mast, which had never been taped off when installed, so water was running down a couple of screw holes... Over the years, the damage was being done.

So the latest:
1) when they replace the bulkhead around the quarter berth, they are going to fiberglass the base the stern board to protect the wood. Had also heard from another friend who had had a similar issue with rot in the stern quarter berth bulkhead; not from a radar mast leak, but somehow water was leaking in from the starboard side scupper. It's always something.
2) FYI - all the wood surrounding the quarter berth and the engine room is teak...
3) the fuel tank was installed on a foam 'seat'. Between water and age, the foam had deteriorated so the tank was rubbing against the fiberglass.

Will share the estimate (or actual) cost when we get it.

Parsons & Dave Clark
TYCHE F36/38
Padanaram, S. Dartmouth MA
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Tyche
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:06 am
Location: Padanaram Harbor, South Dartmouth, MA

Re: F 36/38 Fuel tank wear - the final bill

Post by Tyche »

Just got the final invoice for the work to replace the rotten quarter berth and the fuel tank. It was more than we anticipated, as it involved almost 200 hours of labor (you can figure out what your boat yard would cost for labor to get a rough idea). Parts totaled about $1,200. But here is the gist of what was done:

remove old ply and clean up
layout new bulkheads and floors
dismantle all interior trim
complete demolition of interior, clean up and make patterns
scrub out bilge, fabricate new structure
fabricate/fit lower section of partition, fabricate tank mode up
final fit/epoxy in lower section of partition
install base panels and cleats
drill limber holes, tab bottom of center partition, cut and prep 1st new teak panel
fabricate and fit new teak panels
fabricate aft bulkhead, trim opening, bunk cleats
fabricate and fit aft bulkhead access panel, sand and first coat panels
final fit panels, varnish access panels, fabricate bunk supports
set up/fabricate floors, varnish panels
fabricate/fit bunk floors; assemble bunk floors, eat parts,
temp install all berth supports/cut out and fit plywood base
fabricate/fit plywood bunk top
fabricate/install stops/hardware for access panels
assemble all components in place, set tank, set floors and epoxied to hull
fair bunk tabbing w epoxy,
sound insulation, hoses, wiring
fabricate/finish ceiling filler, clean out entire boat
install new fuel line, reconnect existing exhaust, reconnect raw water intake
cleanup, install new trim, clean boat
(left out a bunch of varnishing..but it was done!)

From start to finish, it was about four weeks of work. Not included in the man-hours above, we renewed the sounddown in the engine room while the engine compartment was fully accessible.

We use Concordia Boats in South Dartmouth. Great yard, great people. They've gotten really good at working with Freedoms - they designed and added a beautiful sugar scoop to Tyche last year, which has made all the difference for us.

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