Fuel Tank Holddowns Rusting

[RobertB]

On my 2010 , I just noticed the strap brackets (eye straps, footman's loops) are quite rusted - the thick stuff. It appears they are basic carbon steel - not stainless.

Anyone else have this issue?

[FAAbaddog]

Robert,

Affirmative, had exact same issue.

Mike Inmon's shop made me some replacements out of stainless steel a few months after my new 26M was delivered (March 2011) for free.

BADDOG

[kitcat]

You've got hold down straps? On my 2008 there is nothing to stop the tank from careering all over the deck except a strip of mahogany. I used some plastic tie down loops, held in with ss selftappers and some sealant, seems to work well enough.

Paul

[NiceAft]

Just last Friday I removed for the first time the two, twelve gallon tanks on my 2005 M. I was surprised to find the buckles on the straps to be plastic. There must be someplace that sells a replacement. They are a simple buckle. My plastic ones are in good shape.

Ray

[c130king]

My single 12-gal tank has two straps both with plastic buckles. One buckle is cracked so it is sort of "jury rigged"...not tight but it will hold.

The straps have metal tie down pieces that are screwed into the bottom of the fuel compartment. Rusty but still working fine.

Jim

[pokerrick1]

You've got hold down straps? On my 2008 there is nothing to stop the tank from careering all over the deck except a strip of mahogany. I used some plastic tie down loops, held in with ss selftappers and some sealant, seems to work well enough.

Paul

Your 2008 didn't have tie down straps How many tanks do you have and how many gallons each are they?? Strip of mahogany?????? Who made your boat

Rick

[K9Kampers]

Strip of mahogany?????? Who made your boat

Must be the Bob Villa Signature Edition Mac M!!!

[kitcat]

Maybe I've been passed off with one of those Chinese copies? No, really, no straps as standard, but maybe the mahogany is teak. We can't get hold of those big tanks that fill the whole locker, so I've got a couple of 6 gallon tanks and a 3 gallon tank, all nicely tied down now though.

Paul

[mastreb]

The tanks (and likely the tie downs) are not from the factory, they're dealer added modifications, which explains the variations we're hearing about in this thread. So Macs are different based on whatever dealership they were purchased through. Did anyone buy a Mac without the gas tanks option? Did it come with any kind of strap-eye for the tanks?

[RobertB]

Talked to Mike Inmon

He stated the ones I have are from West Marine (fuel tank tiedown kit) - and he is NOT happy at all with the way they rust.

He is replacing.

[Divecoz]

After Market 12 gallon.. It has two indents 1 each side / end ....of the 12 gal.. I epoxied 2 small pieces of treated 2x4 cut to fit..No Issues

[seahouse]

I got the twin 12 gal tanks, but the brackets were an added-cost extra I opted out of. I used a block of hardwood between the tanks to temporarily hold them in place last season, with a small loss of legroom.

To address this issue I made four "pucks" from yogourt cup moulds (filled to the required height with polyester resin, and the taper gives a nice "draft" angle) which will be installed on the fore and aft walls of the gas tank "lazarette". These will contain the tanks by engaging the finger-holds that are moulded into the tanks, similar to what you used, Divecoz.

These "pucks" were counterbored in the centre to accept screws (1/4") that will hold them in place while the adhesive sets. Use double-faced tape to establish and mark out their exact position before drilling holes and bonding.

I plan on first using self-tapping-type screws into the "lazarette" wall. If this works it will avoid disturbing the liner, but otherwise (likely) I will drill to the liner (with caps) and install machine screws and nuts.

It's an easy DIY- simpler than brackets, invisible, so the aesthetics are better, less leak-prone, easier to use, just lift the (lockable if you want) seat and lift them a couple of inches to remove them.

And no rusting.

- Brian.

[Phil M]

I got the twin 12 gal tanks, but the brackets were an added-cost extra I opted out of. I used a block of hardwood between the tanks to temporarily hold them in place last season, with a small loss of legroom.

To address this issue I made four "pucks" from yogourt cup moulds (filled to the required height with polyester resin, and the taper gives a nice "draft" angle) which will be installed on the fore and aft walls of the gas tank "lazarette". These will contain the tanks by engaging the finger-holds that are moulded into the tanks, similar to what you used, Divecoz.

These "pucks" were counterbored in the centre to accept screws (1/4") that will hold them in place while the adhesive sets. Use double-faced tape to establish and mark out their exact position before drilling holes and bonding.

I plan on first using self-tapping-type screws into the "lazarette" wall. If this works it will avoid disturbing the liner, but otherwise (likely) I will drill to the liner (with caps) and install machine screws and nuts.

It's an easy DIY- simpler than brackets, invisible, so the aesthetics are better, less leak-prone, easier to use, just lift the (lockable if you want) seat and lift them a couple of inches to remove them.

And no rusting.

- Brian.

I'm trying to follow your description. Any pictures of this?

Phil M

[seahouse]

Hey Phil

Sorry, no pix yet because I've so far only made the "pucks" and not done the installation yet. There are hand-holds that are embossed into the sides of the tanks, one at each end, centred two or so (IIRC) inches up from the bottom. The pucks align with these, so you just lower the tank straight down over them and they captivate the tank from moving sideways into the cockpit. Ask more if it's still not clear...

- Brian.

(Hopefully I'll have the mod finished by the time the Saskatoon berries are ripe!)

[Phil M]

Seahouse,
I think I understand what you did now. My hold down straps may work their way loose yet.

So you use both sides of the cockpit, both lazerettes, for those larger fuel tanks? I only use one side for fuel, and the other side for storage. But I have been considering other options.

If both lazerettes are occupied, where do you stow fenders and the often wet dock lines?

Phil M