1977 Skipjack 24' Built in Fuel Tank is Leaking

[Bob Fisher]

The tank is out!

We pulled it out with a hydraulic hoist on the back of a service truck.

It was wedged in really tight between the foam on the sides and a bead of caulking around the top.

The foam on the bottom had deteriorated and there was about 5-6 gallons of fuel sloshing around underneath it.

Now I'm in the process of building a subfloor for a new tank. Photos to come soon.

[Bob Fisher]

Skipjack 24' Replace Corroded Fuel Tank

We're building a new sub-floor to mount the new tank on.

If you have a workshop or a driveway available where you can work on your boat then you're one step ahead of us.

We have to do this on the trailer in the marina parking parking lot - with no elecricity.

My point is that's it's not such a huge job if you put your mind to it and you have some encouragement and assistance from a good friend... (Dave)

Oh, and just as important, an understanding wife who doesn't mind you disappearing for hours on end... (June)

I'm forever grateful.

And a special thanks goes out to Gabe who helped me get the tank out.


I can see real progress now! We are going back over to work on it again today.

[Bob Fisher]

I've finished with the stringers and fitted a marine plywood subfloor. This should be sufficient as a base to hold the new fuel tank.

[Bob Fisher]

Skipjack 24' Project Fishing Boat New Fuel Tank Installation

Boy, how time flies.... I can't believe how long it has been since I've had a chance to work on the Skipjack 24' Project Fishing boat!

Hopefully that is about to change.

After replacing the stringers that support the fuel tank well and fiberglassing in a new subfloor I've sprayed the area with a rubber coating in preparation for the new boat fuel tank.

I've already bought the new fuel tank (Moeller Marine) and new fuel hoses (USCG compliant).

I've glued and clamped two pieces of marine plywood together for the new deck section that will sit above the fuel tank...

[Bob Fisher]

Skipjack 24' Project Fishing Boat New Fuel Tank Installation


Well, I got a chance between the rain showers this past weekend to do some more work on the Skipjack 24' project fishing boat .

I've installed the new Moeller fuel tank (it's been screwed to the floor with a stainless steel bracket kit from Moeller), the new fuel hoses from West Marine (USCG approved) are now connected and double clamped with stainless steel hose clamps, the existing water-separating fuel filter mounting bracket has been relocated to a place that is more accessible/convenient for me to replace filters in the future...

The boat is covered in dirt and full of leaves etc so it doesn't looks so good but that is purely superficial and I will tend to it after I get the new floor installed over the top of the new tank.

I did put in a new water-separating fuel filter canister (Sierra 10 microns) and I also replaced the fuel filter in the carburetor. After pouring in the fuel from a spare 5 gallon container of fresh gasoline that I had in my garage I was able to get the motor fired up and it ran pretty smoothly considering it has sat for so long!

Can we go fishing soon? It's been way too long!!!

Skipjack 24' Project Fishing Boat: old fuel tank removal, new fuel tank installation, Moeller fuel tank, Moeller fuel tank stainless steel mounting brackets, water separating fuel filter mounting bracket, Sierra 10 micron fuel filter element, USCG approved fuel hoses: 1 1/2" fuel filler, 5/8" fuel vent, 3/8" fuel line, fuel lines double clamped with stainless steel hose clamps