Replacing both the 56 and 105 gallon tanks on my 96 248 Voyager. The 56 is installed with new hoses and hardware- no issues.
The 105 looks to be quite a bit more involved to swap out. The tank runs about 10” under the main deck and it looks like cutting the bulkhead may be the only option for removal?
Anyone done this? Any info appreciated- Thanks!
Hi Ford - I am sooo glad I found another 96 Voyager 248 guy!! (In fact, I also have a Honda BF250 - 2021.) (I think your location is CT. Ironically, I am from Rowayton, CT, but have temporarily moved to Hillsboro Beach, FL for a while.) My boat has only the 105 tank, and I am now at the point where it has to be replaced. If I understand your picture (of the 105) you did NOT have to cut under the helm/chair area. I made a similar measurement of the tank running approx 10 inches forward under the helm/deck area. I also measured approx between 1 and 2 inches of space between the aft-end-of-the-fuel-tank and the tank area aft bulkhead. I hope you had a similarly small space there - since you were still able to get the tank out/in. On a positive note, there is space above the tank for maneuvering. Although barely readable, the label-glued-to-the-tank indicates Florida Marine Tanks, model FMT-105-GW. I figure getting the tank made is the least of my problems. Getting it out/in is the problem. Even though you did it, I have a bunch of questions: 1) was the tank foamed in anywhere?, 2) There are 2 removable sections of the cockpit deck - the small aft one (gives access to the washdown pump etc) and the bigger main one that covers the main fuel tank. I have removed/resealed the smaller/aft section in the past, I haven't removed the main section yet. In your picture, I see the white-plastic wedges screwed in to secure the tank - are those the original, or did you have to have new ones made? Was the wood/material that they are screwed into still OK (not rotten, holds a screw)?? 3) Regarding the seam between the main cockpit section (covers the tank) and the smaller section (covers the washdown), if both are removed (as in your picture) is there usually a piece of marine-ply (a few inches wide - used to screw in the cockpit deck sections in that area) on top of the bulkhead-that-separates-washdown-and-tank?? And if so, did you have to cut it out to get the tank out? 4) did you have to do anything to the bed where the tank sits? Did anything need to be restored there, or replaced?
I could obviously use some guidance here - especially from you, since you've been very successful with inflicting minimal damage during this process. Glad to talk over the phone if that's less painful than typing. Desperate!!
Thanks very much for any feedback, in advance.
Cheers,
Jim K
