E32 Fuel Tanks

I recently purchase a 1981 32' Endeavor. My diesel tank is leaking and needs to be replaced. I've been trying to decide whether to replace the original or find another location in the boat to locate a new tank. Although I think the best thing would be to replace the original where it is, it looks like it'll be a pain in the behind job. Having to cut through the teak parquet floor and then through the floor support bracing under that just to expose the top of the tank. Not to mention whether the sides and bottom of the tank will be stuck in the bilge with fiber glass resin from the original factory install. I have twenty years boat rigging experience but I'm not looking forward to this job. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Date: Thursday, June 14, 2001 9:06:09 AM
From: Bill Lezotte wlezotte@indiana.edu

My '80 E32 has the diesel tank in the port aft quarter just behind the battery banks. It doesn't look like much fun to get to but you could leave your floor in one piece. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures.

Dale,
Bob Griffin with Fenian. The diesel tank on my shoal draft 32 is located in the stern between the port side berth and slightly across the center. It is probably a 20 gal rectangular tank. It even has a gauge in the top. I would recommend abandoning the existing tank in place. It would appear possible to get a roto molded or blow molded tank (tanks) through the stern locker. You might have to do some creative plumbing to connect two smaller
tanks. (or three).

Dale:
I have a '79 32 and my fuel tank is located under the cockpit floor, athwartsship, just aft of the muffler, glassed-in. It's 20 gal.., not sure of the material -al or s/s. If ever I need to change it, it seems likely to be an easier job than yours! Sorry!! Fair Winds, Paul.

Holy Cow.
Your fuel tank is in the bilge, forward of the engine? Mine is too, but I thought that was an aftermarket mod. My E32 is an '80, #514.What's in your engine compartment aft of the engine and transmission ? I'd replace the thing. Good luck.

Dale,
Haven't replaced my tank but the location of my tank is different then yours. I have a 1979 32' and the tank is located under the cockpit sole not in the bilge. I look in the forward port locker to look at the fuel gauge. I can/t say that mine would be easier to replace but as I said it is in a different location.

Date: June 17, 2001
From: Billy Vance and Julie Roberts Meadolninnn@aol.com

Hey, we did the same thing, and it's not as bad as you think. The tank just rests there, it's not stuck, glued or any of that stuff. And putting the sole back in place is not a problem. But.. WOW, I hate to hear about your floor. Ours was already ruined when we bought the boat, soo it was no problem to tear it out, but the cost to put it back was staggering. To make a long story short, we opted for a teak plank floor instead, and went ahead with the tank replacement. If you need the name and address of the contractor that remade our tank, I can look it up for you. Let me know.

Bob,
As an FYI, the fuel tank on the 1981 and 82 E32 are located in the aft portion of the bilge. However, it may be wise to consider locating it elsewhere as Endeavour has done on other models. The trick is keeping it dry. If someone where to relocate it they should be aware that it coulkd shift the balance of the boat.

>The diesel tank on my shoal draft 32 is located in
>the stern between the port side berth and slightly across the center.

Diesel in the bilge... not good. My fuel tank has a very small leak. It might as well be a big one. I will have to remove the tank and either replace it, or more likely, have it repaired. Has anyone done this before... Endeavour 32 with the fuel tank under the cabin sole... not behind the engine.

It looks like a simple matter of cutting out the floor, removing the tank, and then replacing the floor. The main structural member seems to be located across the very aft end of the sole... so it can remain intact.

Date: May 15, 2007
From: Paul Uhl endvr32@endeavourowners.com

In the May 2007 issue of Practical sailor <http://www.practical-sailor.com/> there is an in depth article exploring the ideal fuel tank replacement. It looks at the pros and cons of various materials, construction methods, and ways of minimizing corrosion in the first place.