---

I am working on the fuel tank and have a lot of water sitting on top of the tank. There is also an issue with the chamber that allows me to pull wires from the cabin at the bow to the stern. When water would get into the "pull chamber" some of it would end up in my fish locker (no matter how often I cleaned my fish locker the water seemed to have old leaves/wood debri). Is it normal for the underside of the deck cover to be wet from surface water? Are there chamber connections that need servicing? I would appreciate any information or websites that let me know what is underneath my deck. Thanks.
Garris

---

The wood debris you are finding is almost certainly the deteriorating plywood backing of the fuel tank cover. This is typical.

The Outrage 22 and Revenge 22 share the exact same hull. You may benefit from studying THIS ARTICLE about the under deck arrangement of the 22 foot hull.

---

Tom,
Well, this shows sometimes you ask the wrong question first. All this anguish over cleaning a tank in place and if I asked about the drainage/wetness/debri issues first I would have planned all along for the deck to come up. The deck fuel tank cover in "THIS ARTICLE" is the exact same as mine. I am probably going to make a cut in my deck just outside the cabin (area of your previous picture) and remove the deck. Well, yours truly already has a 4 inch hole in his tank by the fuel intake to the motor so, I might continue the cleaning of the tank in place as an experiment for other members. If it works I will probably tackle the deck next year, if it does not work I have to do the deck anyway Thank you so very much for the detailed and interesting reference.
Garris

---

Sounds like the deck and gas tank need to be replaced. I would go ahead and do it now and you can feel good for the summer.

---

My did my initial investigation of the fuel tank deck plywood underlayment and it appears sound directly by the two deck access ports (poking with screw driver and various other steel implements). I also jumped all over the place and it feels firm. However, the fish locker plywood was sponge and that piece is definitely coming up. The interior of the fuel tank is remarkably clean "to the touch". The pictures in "THIS ARTICLE" show the tank cavity as a rest home for water so, no matter what, the tank will come out. Unfortunately, this year I am repowering as well as having some gel coat work done. Lack of time and funds to start another project if the tank inspection comes up clean. I am going to post my findings about the gas tank in my earlier post "Help with removing aluminum line in fuel tank...) so as not to get off the subject of this posting.
Garris

---

Garris, I assume the forward part of your deck goes under the cabin walls as well, thus giving you the idea of cutting the floor rather than removing that part of the cabin?

If you do wind up cutting the deck rather than remove the cabin walls let me know how that goes. I'd want a pro to do it and then finish it up cleanly but that sure would make for future access to the fuel tank and cable tunnel.

Thanks

John

---

John and others,
The fuel tank consultant left and my tank interior has a clean bill of health so I am going to put off the deck removal until next year. I will be cutting the deck next year and not remove the cabin. Interesting and detailed post on my other post "Help removing aluminum line....."
gchuba

---

Congratulations on the good check up. At least you have the assurance of knowing that nothing is lurking in there.. I have no idea what the condition of my tank is. I do know it's empty as that was one of the last projects of the FO. He had enough of working on the old gal. :)