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Just picked up a 98' 17' Outrage.

I know this is not a classic, but it is an honest boat and will keep me happy until I get my other restoration completed.

Question: Is the fuel tank sitting in a coffin? Can I fresh water rinse through the access plate? Or if I leave the plate off will air circulate around and keep the condensation down.

There is so much mold on the top of the tank that I would like to clean it. However I don't want the tank sitting in water.

Thanks,

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Island Trader,

Welcome to Whaler Central. I wrote a post a while back that might help you out. Read down the post to the section about my fuel tank.

http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=5428&pid=31957#post_31957


Good luck,

Norm

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Hi and welcome!! I leave the covers/access plates off when the outrage is sitting on the trailer. I redid the deck last year and found that water would just, also condonsation, sit in the area. Was alot of work to replace/ restore the deck. I also replaced the o-rings on the beckson covers but, water still gathers in the far aft area. Hmmm... just something I have to deal with. So far no mold under the deck. You might try useing moth balls in small pill bottle tops, one or tow per top, in thetank area. Works great in tool boxes to help keep the rust off everything also.

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Thanks for the info. I was hoping there would be some way to cross ventilate the area. Maybe put a access plate in the bilge area and then leave them open when not using the boat.

Any other thoughts out there?

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I used to have your model boat. I recommend you redo the caulk. When it rained, water would find it's way behind that drain plug.

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I designed and built a ventilation system for the "fuel tank bildge" on my 22 Revenge.

I bought new cover plates for the access holes. I then purchased a solar powered ventilator. I drilled a hole on one plate and installed the ventilator. On the other new plate I installed a 2" pvc 90* elbow and a street 90* elbow. This prevents rain water from entering through the PVC but allows air to exit the "fuel tank bildge". When the boat is not used these "ventilation plates" go on. They keep the air flowing through the space and help keep the area as dry as possible. When we use the boat the original plates go back on and the "ventilation plates" go into the storage locker.

Hope this helps,

Norm

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Good idea. I can rig something like that up.

Another question? Access plate (s). The only one's I have are the floor for the fuel tank sender and the access on the port side for the fuel filler hose. Am I missing one? Or does the 17 only have 1.

Thanks,

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I'm not familiar enough with your model to answer how many deck plates came with your boat. I'm sure someone else can give you more info there. My Revenge has 3 access plates, 2 forward (one over the fill and vent hose and the other is clear lexan over the fuel guage) the third is toward the stern. (it's over the top of the fuel supply lines)

Please post some pictures of your project when you get some time.

Norm

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The boat is really not a project. Just a nice clean 11 year old that needs a little buffing and polishing.

However I did find what I was hoping was there. Behind the bilge pump (very hard to see) was a flush mounted drain plug.

After I opened that up and let all the stinky water out I feel much better that at least the tank is not sitting in a pool at all times.

Counting that I have 3 openings to the tank. That should be enough to circulate when the boat is sitting on the lift.

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Hi, you didn't mention that you cover the whaler on the lift? West marine sells a product that you can apply to canvas to help repell rain water. Works great, I redo mine every 6-7 months here in Fla. good luck