Association Forum - Removing the fuel tank locker to free up space?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Removing the fuel tank locker to free up space?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

jml
Deckhand

Member Avatar

USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/22/2013 : 19:35:53

Like many of you I currently have a Mercury Marine outboard that suffers from the dreaded "not being able to turn to starboard" issue because of the fuel locker interfering with the tiller handle. I have contemplated with the idea of mounting a kicker bracket but it would be way to inconvenient with the motor that far back, plus it wouldn't help much with keeping her floating on her lines. So my next thought is to remove the fuel locker (yes with a saw) and remold the transom so its completely open. Has anyone else considered doing this? As far as the fuel tank goes my thought was to mount a proper bellow deck tank where the battery goes (I would move the battery up front). Not only would I gain the function of full swing of the motor but I would free up cockpit space while at the same time increasing on board fuel storage. (BTW I have a tiller so I dont use the locker as a seat) I always thought the fuel locker was way to big for the size of gas tank that fits in there anyways. Any ideas?

S/V Kainoa
1999 C250WK #393
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lake Mead

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2013 : 19:56:35

My first thought is about the re-sale value of the boat. I think it would drop substantially. I wouldn't buy a boat that had the transom so drastically altered from the designers plans.

I don't suffer from the poor maneuverability that often gets reported here. I have thought about adding a soft-link between the tiller and motor just to see what others are talking about.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

2272 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2013 : 20:20:37

I agree with the concern over resale value. The drop in value might pay for a new motor.

A few things to consider first:

- Is it possible to move the motor over slightly to provide clearance? With my motor, there is one "magic spot" that provides about 1/4" clearance on both sides. This spot is significantly off center in the well, but I don't care - it's much more important to have the ability to turn both directions.

- Is it possible to remove the motor's tiller and provide some alternate throttle mechanism? That might make the motor maneuverable. You could either lock the motor in a centered position, or attach a hard or soft link to your rudder.

- Buy a different motor that has room to rotate.

- Instead of hacking the fuel tank locker completely off, just hack off enough to provide clearance, and do a nice patch job over that spot.

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2013 : 01:39:48

I thought about that too , and while the saws out I would like to cut the seats lockers out too a flat floor would be Great !!
plus put the traveler on the roof and make the hatch leavel with the floor .. so there woul just be two steps down to get in gally
But ya resale would be hurt ..then I think its time for a bigger boat and should just save the money

.

maybe this boat will be forsale in a couple years http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvNtKGWrU7g
he might want to down size we could trade boats i might have to add some cash

also a below gas tank might need a fuel pump ??
to get the fuel up hill to the motor ??

Edited by - SEAN on 05/23/2013 01:56:00

jml
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2013 : 16:39:29

Thanks for all the reply's guys. First off, this was just an idea I wanted to float around to get ideas from others or see if anyone has done this, and secondly, this is something I would not attempt on my own, I would definitely hire a professional for this.

Edited by - on

528
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2013 : 08:21:32

A picture is worth a thousand words!! Just happened upon this.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/29736

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2013 : 15:26:15

Interesting ad. The year of the boat is omitted. The boat is a masthead, not fractional rig. The listed beam is incorrect. They failed to mention the hole in the cockpit floor that, in all likelihood, WAS the pedestal steering that they "modified". And, there are no real photos of the stern where all the modifications were made. I wouldn't buy this boat with Bristle's money.

As always, my opinion is worth precisely what it cost.

Edited by - John Russell on 05/24/2013 15:27:30

SEAN
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2013 : 06:27:44

gota say the gas locker looks better then the bucket !!

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2013 : 15:50:31

Removing the gas locker would cost you a cockpit seat but wouldn't really impact the turning space for the engine. For that you would have to remove the entire starboard stern quarter of the boat! A less drastic fix that will allow you to steer full ranged in both directions and still easily tilt the motor up without having to raise and lower an adjustable engine mount would be a fixed mount attached aft of the stern engine cutout for the boat. I have had one for ten years and it works perfectly! Take a look...
Willy
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/garelick-stationary-auxiliary-outboard-motor-bracket.html

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.