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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

1980 gas tank in dumpster

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calden
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/10/2009 : 15:56:28

Hey all:

I wrote in a while back asking for advice on a couple of Cat 25s for sale. I dawdled and the opportunities went by. Oh well, I wasn't quite ready to buy. But I might be now.

I just looked at a 1980 that needs a little bit of work but is very tight and sound. Question about the fuel tank locker:

In looking at the location of the fuel tank shelf, it appears that one could easily tab in some plywood and make a divider wall in the locker to seal off the gas tank area, then open a few small vents for fume ventilation. Anyone done that? Would there be more to it than that? And it also appears that you could put in another hatch in the port seat to gain access to the dumpster. (I loved reading that the space was called that!)

Thanks for the input...
Carlos Alden

S/V Mazama
1983 FK SR
#3682

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calden
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 16:02:38

And another question... has anyone retrofitted an opening window to the head?

Thanks,
Carlos

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 16:25:14

The vents are already there at the aft corners--one facing forward and the other aft to create some circulation, with a hose from the starboard vent over to the dumpster. I have no opinion on a partition--mine had the cockpit fuel locker that appeared around 1982-83 (?)--one of the most valuable upgrades IMHO.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 16:27:18

I just use the dumpster to store my 2 fuel tanks. The boat has not blown up now in over 30 years. I have a 7 gallon on the shelf and a 3 gallon on the floor. I usually have a gallon or two emergency reserve in the floor tank. Both tanks are lashed down.

I retrofitted Lewmar opening hatches in the head and hanging locker area. I bought them on this forum for $200 and it took 2 or 3 days to get them in. I had to do a little cutting (the windows were slightly large).

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calden
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 16:31:44

Wow, you guys are fast! Thanks a lot.

Jim, that's the kind of spring project upgrade I'm looking for.

Dave, I saw the vents and hoses in the boat, and reading up on this forum helped me figure out they were there for more than cabin ventilation. I would feel more secure with a sealed-off gas compartment if it were feasible to do, however. I've done fg work before so it didn't appear to be insurmountable. Maybe the ventilation system is good enough...

Carlos

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 18:40:35

...or find a later year that has the fuel locker molded into the port cockpit seat. I think that started in '82.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2009 : 21:12:57

If I had gasoline stored in the dumpster, I would definitely install an exhaust fan in it to make sure that you did not accumulate fumes in the bilge or elsewhere. Make sure the fan is the "spark-less" type to avoid sparking an explosion as you flip on the exhaust fan.

The greatest source of explosions on boats of any type is due to the accumulation of heavier than air gasoline fumes, and the errant spark.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 06:45:44

As I recall, an opening port in the head was optional with a new C25. Therefore, Catalina probably used an opening port that was the same size as the non-opening one. If you'll contact Catalina, they can probably either sell you one, or tell you the manufacturer and model # of the port that will fit without cutting.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 09/11/2009 06:46:23

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:48:39

There is a shelf right under the cockpit hatch on my 79. I have my 6.6 gallon tank bungied there and it works fine. It's never slipped and I've never smelled gas down below in the cabin. You unscrew the tank vent when your out and tighten it up when you're done with it. There is a vent on the stern coaming right there that I think is standard. I use smaller can to fill it so I don't have to pull the big one out of the boat when it's time to refuel.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 09:53:39

Two options form CatalinaDirect.

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=31"]CatalinaDirect C25 Opening Ports[/url]

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 10:33:30

I have a 79 with the older fuel locker (Don’t get me started on engineers, someone actually thought it was OK to vent gas fumes into the bilge area ! Ya Right )What I did was to add a second gas line connection to my 6 gallon tank. I installed this connection so it sits on top when I secure the tank in the locker. The connection has no fill tube attached to the inside the tank, so it works the same as a vent. I can connect a Vent tube (made from gas line) with a matching connection on one of the ends to the new tank fitting. The orher end connects to a screened vent that will allow the fumes to vent into the cockpit. I have routed the vent tube to the top of the locker, then down to the tank. This loop prevents any rain or water from entering the fuel tank trhrough the tube. I also used a different brand connection then the one for my outboard, so I can't confuse them and hook the wrong line to the the vent. (I have a 9.9 Honda, so for the vent I used an OMC connection)

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 09/11/2009 : 11:03:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 ...or find a later year that has the fuel locker molded into the port cockpit seat. I think that started in '82.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ours was an '81 and had the port locker, so the specific year is meaningless, since before you buy a boat you look at it and see what she has!

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