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Changing holding tank to diesel

Rbuchansn57

New Member
I've changed over to a composting head. I did this on the Pearson and it was the best move I'd made. Has anyone changed the holding tank to a diesel hold? It would be smaller (guessing 30 gal... can't find specs) and lower? And I can use the tanks in combination to polish the fuel.
 
Hi New Member

If you are talking about using the holding tank built into the keel, you need to do a very through inspection of that tank. Most of those tanks on a majority of the boats have been damaged by improper blocking under the keel when the boats were hauled out. If blocking was placed at the back of the keel, not under the lead, then the tabbing that held the Tank top/ bilge bottom in place was subject to separation from the hull. This damage allowed bilge water to seep into the holding tank. That was not a big issue for a holding tank, but would be a giant issue for a diesel tank. So before you use that tank as a fuel tank, make damn sure it doesn't have leaks.

Jim
 
My hoilding tank has a 30 gallon capacity, but I have a deeper keel, 6'. I think 5' boast will have less. You can measure it by adding water from the deck pumpout plate. A major issue would be cleaning the tank sufficiently to use it for diesel. You would have to cut a hole in the side of the keel. Access from above is limited.
I got 22 extra gallons with a specially built tank that fits under the aft part of the quarter berth, aft of the battery compartment. A shipwright made a plywood mockup of of the compound curves and I raised the bunk flat by 2" aft of the battery compartment. The aluminum tank was mounted on battens, in case any moisture got into the area, which is actually unlikely. 62 gallons isn't really enough for long distance cruising, but with my Beta 35, it should give me over 450 miles at 6 knots. I also carry 25 gallons in jerry jugs. Hate that, but 3 are in the cockpit locker and only 2 on deck.
 
Many years ago, I converted that tank to hold kerosene. The kerosene went in clear and came out yellow. Gave that up immediately. It's now filled with seawater for extra ballast. It never saw black water. The resin may not be suited for any fuel and in retrospect it was a bad idea for kerosene and probably worse for diesel that you may need when it all goes to hell. IMHO, just say NO!
 
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