finished - kill tank
Now that Monkey Mia and Steep Point are done and dusted, it's time for the winter project and some maintenance to commence.
A pressing job is to replace the carpet. But more importantly to reseal the hatch over the fuel tank which I have notice has been leaking when we hose the deck after bleeding a catch (the bilge water was coming out red...)
It has come out in one piece which will make it easier to cut and fit the new piece.
The hatch just lifted straight off. Every rivet corroded. 
Also on the list is to replace or recalibrate the fuel guage.
But the biggest, and most exciting will be a kill tank here...
I'be had a look underneath I can fit a tank that's about 1000 x 500 x 250 - 300 that fills and drains through the transom.
My initial pricing for the tank is about $800 which includes two hatches, hose, ball valve, skin fitting and making and fitting of the tank.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Some of the fittings
Some of the fittings needed:
hatches (two - side by side, allowing easy access but importantly a stringer between to maintain floor strength)
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=156&item=42141&intAbsolutePage=1
skin fitting (through transom)
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=133&item=78524&intAbsolutePage=1
ball valve (for safety shut off)
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=133&item=78504&intAbsolutePage=1
hose and fittings
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=133&item=44842&intAbsolutePage=1
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=133&item=142489&intAbsolutePage=1
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=133&item=44289&intAbsolutePage=1
and a stop cock as an internal bung so i can keep the tank empty when not fishing.
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=144&item=74443&intAbsolutePage=1
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I am going to replace the
I am going to replace the fuel hose as well. its probably never been replaced and would be ten years old by now
Fish! HARD!
sea-kem
Posts: 15017
Date Joined: 30/11/09
It's good to get all the
It's good to get all the maintenance done yourself Randall. At least you know the job will be done right. I had my steering cable replaced and din't realise how farked the old one was, feels like I have power steering now. Back to yours you can never be too careful when it comes to fuel tanks etc.
Love the West!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Yeah... I know the tank is
Yeah... I know the tank is close to empty. was going to pump the rest out through the bulb on the hose into a jerry can. What's the secret for getting the rest of the fumes out before I start pulling hoses of and senders out??? other than open the filler and let it air????
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Just get fuel out and take
Just get fuel out and take hoses off. No biggie if theres a little fuel present . If you can ,remove tank and inspect welds and where tank sits incase of corrosion between rubber and tank.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Whats all the shit over the
Whats all the shit over the tank and around it. When l pulled mine and its over 10 years old the tank and surrounds was clean as the day it was fitted.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Haven't had a good look but
Haven't had a good look but it has been leaking for a while now so it could be a bit of crap washed down off the deck. whatever sealer has been used around the hatch is pretty yucky and sticky so it may be that.
Fish! HARD!
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
if i had my time again id go
if i had my time again id go for the rubber matting over carpet
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I've considered that. You
I've considered that. You mean like the bar matting? I haven't bought anything yet, so it could be anti skid paint, rubber or carpet. The latter might get the vote of the wife... so carpet it will likely be...
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
I redid my carpet awhile
I redid my carpet awhile ago. Was going to go down the rubber matting or non slip paint path but carpet was cheaper. Didnt stick it down so can be taken out a hosed off. Now the sand wont get trapped under it and stops corrosion . Havent had any issue of moving under foot. Worth a thought.
Had the same issue with my tank hatch. Rerivetted it and used sika as sealent. Make sure all hose fitting are good as you dont want to rip it up again as its a bitch to take hatch off again once sealed.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
I was surprised how much
I was surprised how much sand was under there!
Fish! HARD!
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
Oh yeah I didn't glue my
Oh yeah I didn't glue my carpet either. Doesn't move at all and yes its good to lift up and clean under there every now and then
D_d_001
Posts: 1522
Date Joined: 09/03/13
Yeah I'm one for carpet not
Yeah I'm one for carpet not stuck down. just take it out and wash it. I used Flotex and looks as new as the day I bought it 3 years ago (doesn't get treated very well either)
When I go up north I take it out and leave it at home.
cant beat carpet when out at night in cold weather.
z00m
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 10/05/14
If you want to be sure the
If you want to be sure the fuel tank is completely safe of fumes, remove all the fittings and fill it with water. You can syphon the water out with a length of hose afterwards if you are removing the tank for inspection.
Josh
Posts: 283
Date Joined: 14/09/10
I laid down the rubber mat
I laid down the rubber mat from Clark Rubber, the stuff that goes on Ute trays, great non slip, water drains straight through and doesn't move around, no need for adhesive.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
i think i'll spend a few
i think i'll spend a few extra $$$ and go for a 1 1/2 " fill / drain tube.... rather than 1".
Fish! HARD!
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
I put an esky/kill tank
I put an esky/kill tank under the deck of my Trailcraft-I reckon all killtanks should be insulated.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
emptied the fuel tank and
emptied the fuel tank and opened the inlet to let the fumes escape.
removed the fuel gauge reader and tested it. I reckon it just needs re-calibrating. The needle moves in accordance with the reader, but just not to the right spots on the gauge. now to Google re-calibration techniques....
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Is your gauge analog? I find
Is your gauge analog? I find there never accurate especially below half.movement of boat will always make it hard to read.
My fuel gauge is knowing that my motor uses 1Ltr per n/m at worst. Having a 120ltr tank gives me a 120n/m range. I just reset my trip metre on my GPS to know my distance traveled.
Gives me piece of mind.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Yeah I've read that as long
Yeah I've read that as long as it's accurate at reading "empty" then don't worry too much about it. which it is. It seems to read empty as empty but full as just over half full.
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
How do they work, of a float?
How do they work, of a float? Maybe its getting stuck and not reaching top of tank.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Yep it's a float on a lever.
Yep it's a float on a lever. it works fine but even out of the tank and lifted to its highest possible position it only registers to about 3/4 full (the top of the tank actually prevents it from reaching that point, hence it only shows 1/2 full on the gauge when in fact it's full. importantly, e when the reader us at its lowest, so is the gauge. so the "low" reading is what I need to keep tabs on.
Fish! HARD!
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
those fuel gauges are
those fuel gauges are roughly $60 - 70 if i remember correctly. might not be worth the trouble
Rob H
Posts: 5806
Date Joined: 18/01/12
can also bend/shorten the
can also bend/shorten the arm to suit the installation as required on some types
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Marineboy
Posts: 844
Date Joined: 14/03/14
Fuel tank sender unit
the only adjustment you can do to the sender unit is shorten the shaft the float is on, by doing that you increase the ark that it travels. If yours is showing 3/4 full when you manually operate it I would suggest the sender is not matched to the gauge.
My spots are so secret even the fish don't know about them !
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Does anyone have experience
Does anyone have experience with armstrong deck plates....
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/armstrong-nautical-rectangular-watertight-compression-access-hatch-11-in-21-in
are they quick / easy to open / close? suitable as a hatch for a kill tank? the hatches I have been think about are hinged and not rated for walking on.
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Just use the ali piece you
Just use the ali piece you cut out as the lid and put on some gas struts. Use a recessed latch. Most boat builds use this method.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Started to purchase the bits
Started to purchase the bits and pieces I'll need for my kill tank. first of two hatches (I'll have two of these side by side), the 1 1/2" hose that will connect the tank drain tube to the ball valve and skin fitting at the transom and a safety plug that I'll use as an internal bung to keep water in or out if desired.
After some initial concerns about the hatches I got advice they were strong enough to walk on so went with the pre-made hatch. The hatches are 510 x 460 mm.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Getting my things together
Getting my things together for the kill tank installation. using two waterproof hatches. having a gap between the hatches will allow a longitudinal support beam under the floor between them to give some extra strength. A second advantage is that the carpet will remain joined and hold in place better.
Still need to buy a large s/s skin fitting and ball valve for the transom drain.
then it's off to the fabricator.
Fish! HARD!
holth
Posts: 812
Date Joined: 09/10/06
Hey mate. Not sure if your
Hey mate. Not sure if your fitting them the way they are in pic but l would have the lids opening back towards the transon. That way when open your not standing on the lids.
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
agreed.i was looking at this
agreed.
i was looking at this thinking, i see something wrong here or something i would do different. I would face the lids backwards towards motor. I would also consider smaller lid (single) with a bigger live well under deck, example 1000mm long by 500mm deep live well with a 500mm lid.
just remember you have to walk on top of those lids you have planned. very tripable
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
question? why didnt you just
question? why didnt you just use the original ali plate that you cut out of deck. do a little recess and that would make the lid flush. no trips
sea-kem
Posts: 15017
Date Joined: 30/11/09
you could even consider
you could even consider rotating them so the lids are opposite each other like mine Randall so they rest against each other when cleaning.
Love the West!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Not sure if I have the space
Not sure if I have the space underneath between frames to rotate them 90°. and if they open backwards, they rest back against the back storage tank. opening the other way they lie flat on the deck. that may change when they are recessed down into the deck and I might go backwards anyway. The reason I have gone for two hatches is so I can get maximum distance from one end of the tank to the far edge of the furthest hatch and the tank is accessible from each side.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
The carpet will take up some
The carpet will take up some of the raised edge.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Got all the bits and pieces
Got all the bits and pieces together for the kill tank drain. Unfortunately the black pvc threaded hose joiner isn't quite the same thread so I need to get a s/s one at 2 1/2 times the price....
skin fitting through the transom. ball valve for emergency shut off in case there is a failure of the tube or tank. The drain is 1and 1/2 inch.
double hose clamps.
The reinforced pvc hose will only be a few inches long because I need to reach the inner set of hose clamps, so the ally drain tube from the tank will extend back into the tiller flat area.
The wooden plug is to use as an internal bung to keep water in or out of the tank as required (ie when we're not fishing).
and of course the duralac and sika flex for joining.
Fish! HARD!
sea-kem
Posts: 15017
Date Joined: 30/11/09
And a can of xxxx for good
And a can of xxxx for good measure ;)
Love the West!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
For scale actually, but
For scale actually, but tasting good now
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
kill tank drain ready to
kill tank drain ready to install.
it's a 1 1/2 " skin fitting and ball valve and 38mm reinforced pvc hose. The skin fitting will be installed in the transom well below the waterline. The tube will attach to the ally draining tube coming back from the tank. Theflexible hose reduces the risk of weld damage through vibration / movement. The ball valve is a safety shut off in case of an internal failure, or can be shut off if there is no intention to use the tank.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
The kill tank is taking
The kill tank is taking shape! Yay!
Fabricator has convinced me just to go with one hatch so he only has to cut a much smaller hole and maintains the structural integrity of deck.
Very happy with progress. Hopefully next photos of it will be of it being installed.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
About to pick up the boat
About to pick up the boat with kill tank all installed.
Stand by for finished photos.
I still need to drill and screw in the hatch, reinstall the fuel tank and seal the hatch. Do a final trim of the new carpet and glue it down and then I'll be ready for some fishing before the ban!
Fish! HARD!
sea-kem
Posts: 15017
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Looking forward to the pics
Looking forward to the pics Randall.
Love the West!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
install
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
The last two pics are the
The last two pics are the drain leading back towards tha tiller flat where it will attach to re-infirced hose, stop cock and skin fitting in the transom.
Fish! HARD!
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Fish! HARD!
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
Looks pretty sweet, now all
Looks pretty sweet, now all you have to do is fill it.
DM306
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Fish! HARD!
ranmar850
Posts: 2702
Date Joined: 12/08/12
You said you intended to leave the seacock open?
Unless you didn't intend to use the tank? This means you will be carrying a lot of water in there until you have been on the plane for a while, if that kill tank goes full hull depth, unless you plan on relying on that tapered wooden plug as a permanent fix. I reckon that will vibrate out in pretty quick time and you be filling that tank every time you come off the plane whether you intend to or not. You can make ball valves easy to operate remotely by ditching the handle and making a simple fitting which goes over the spindle, then a s/s rod going through the deck to a t-handle, probably would be concealed inside one of those plastic hatches inside the transom. that way you could mange the water a lot better, just let a bit in, close the valve, then open later to let more in and flush when you are finished.
Finished job looks good.
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
If the wooden safety cock
If the wooden safety cock doesnt do the job, I'll look at putting a screw in bung inside the tank.
Thinking a light tap with the donger will be enough to hold it in place.
Fish! HARD!
bouttime
Posts: 703
Date Joined: 27/07/06
Mate looks like a good set
Mate looks like a good set up. Just one thing to look out for is to make sure people closed the latch properly before putting it back down. I have one on the floor of my boat and have broken 2 latches now as people dont close it properly and then step on it. They break easy. Cheers
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
Finished.
Finished.
Fish! HARD!
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Looks like a lot of good
Looks like a lot of good work!
Drillzy87
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 16/10/12
how much was the kill tank
how much was the kill tank mate? looks the goods!
AMH Plastic Fabrication And Repairs- For all Fabrication big and small
randall df223
Posts: 6454
Date Joined: 08/08/11
It was mates rates :) .
It was mates rates :) . with all the fittings, hatches etc etc, carpet etc.... i well and truly got change out of a grand.
Fish! HARD!