Fuel tank and exhaust

I started on the installation of the fuel tank today the original tank was mild steel with a capacity of 45 gallons fortunately the previous owner had removed and disposed of this and provided a 25 gallon plastic tank. 45 gallons of diesel would probably last me a couple of seasons and with modern bio diesel apparently having an affinity for water and thus an increased risk of diesel bug the smaller tank would giving an increased turnover of fuel which would be a much better proposition.

Replacement fuel tank

Some time ago when working in the cockpit locker I had stood on one of the floors that support the tank and it broke away from the tabbing it was well soaked in diesel  so I decided that I would cut out a new one as in all probability epoxy would not adhere very well to the original fuel soaked ply. The tabbing looks a bit short but as this was the same length as the original I decided to keep it that good enough for Moody who am I to argue.

The new floor in place

The plan is to have a ply platform the length of the locker to provide even support to the new plastic tank and then strap it down using a securing kit from Tek Tanks.

Last week I measured for the new rubber exhaust hose and ordered 5 metres of 51mm hose from a company called Hyphose their prices reasonable if indeed anything for a boat can be considered reasonably priced these days. I ordered the hose on Wednesday evening and it arrived  on Friday. I have decided to dispense with the original cast iron water lock which I believe was mounted in the aft cabin with a length of flexible stainless steel pipe connecting it to the exhaust manifold. There are two reasons I am not keen on a hot exhaust pipe from the engine space through to the aft cabin also any deterioration could possibly cause exhaust gases to leak into the aft cabin with the attendant carbon monoxide risk it may be a small risk but! At least with the rubber hose and a wet exhaust I would hope that any leaks would be indicated by the presence of water.

Connection to exhaust outlet

Loop in steering compartment

Original route of exhaust hose

Hose runs under port berth in aft cabin

The final route into the engine space is undecided as yet I would like to take the hose straight through the bulkhead at the after end of the port berth instead of the route shown in the photograph above, I intend to install a Vetus type plastic water lock but that will have to wait until I have the said water lock so that I can sort the best route for the hose.