Mounting the tank
The next problem is to keep the tank from moving around. I certainly don't want it to slam into anything when the boat falls off a wave--it might split wide open!
My solution was to hem the tank in with braces--fore and aft, and to put a clamp over the top. I mocked up these pieces out of foam board and trimmed them to fit. The sides of the tank are not straight, so the cuts have to be curved to fit.
The top piece holds the tank down, and holds it at the angle leaning outboard.
I then duplicated all of the pieces in pine two-by. I didn't even worry about using pressure-treated. If this area of the boat stays wet enough to rot the wood, I've got bigger problems than that.
I cut out a slot in the cleat that supports the V-berth plywood so that the top piece can slide down into place. The fore and aft boards are just screwed down to the fiberglass with self-tapping screws, but the top board is designed to be removeable.
At each end of the top board, I drilled a one-inch hole with a hole saw. I also took one of the plugs from drilling these holes, and cut it in half. The board is held in place by a #10 machine screw inserted from each end, through the half-round plug and held with a nut in the one-inch cutout.
The half-round cutout on top is because the board happened to land right below the finger hole of the V-berth plywood.
-- George Dinwiddie, Calypso, #543
Special thanks to Mike Lehman of Gilleleje, #505, and Jim Mennucci of Quest, #433, who blazed the trail with the Kracor tank.
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This Old Boat
by Don Casey
Subtitled "turn a rundown fiberglass boat into a
first-class yacht on a shoestring budget," this book is the best
introduction I know boat maintenance for the new or prospective owner
of a "modern classic" sailboat. Starting with guidelines
for selecting a boat, Casey proceeds to fiberglass repairs, cabin and
deckwork, spars and rigging, boat equipment, woodwork, electrical,
plumbing, refrigeration, painting, canvas work and sails. All of this
is described in clear, simple terms perfect for the inexperienced.
This is the book that taught me fiberglass work. But don't let it
fool you; this book is appropriate for experienced boatowners, too.
I still refer to it.
Other books by Don Casey
(Note: commissions earned from this link help defray the costs of this website)
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