1976 35' Viking fuel tanks

you have two tanks in that vintage 35 Viking.

one forward of the main engines under the salon and the rear tank under the cockpit.

both are 135 gallons

The good news, they are not fiberglass.
However you do have two fiberglass water tanks that are barrel shaped.

the fuel tanks are aluminum, some have an OEM coating on the bottom 1/3.

The tanks sit on a layer of closed cell foam on a 3/4 in plywood deck glassed between the stringers.

Unfortunately the rear tank is subject to bilge splashing and some deck water from the rear lazerette.

Unfortunately, the deck will have to be cut up inorder to remove and replace the tank.

you could either re-do the deck when done or use a skill saw and cut from the rear hatch to the cabin. cut along the space between the simulated wood slats, it will be easier to blend in the cut and refinish the deck when done.

When you do replace the tank, i would not re install the foam, it retains the moisture. I would recommend placing the tank on some PVC slats or some type of spacers to allow air flow under the tank. The tank will get wet from bilge water, you will want it to to dry instead of staying wet.

BTW, Viking tanks seem to last a long time, it is unusual for them to leak. Although i have seen at least one other 35 rear tank replacement, also on a 1975.

Also, when you do replace the tank, re-do all your fuel lines. that is money weill spent.

good luck
RT46

i would determine if the leak is the tank for sure before i started cutting the deck.

Also, although it sounds like a great idea, i wouldnot run the boat until the leaking tank is removed and replaced. Gasoline vapors in the right amount can be extremely dangerous and deadly.

Dont be tempted to have the tank welded or repaired. Get a new tank from a marine gas tank fabricator. It wont be cheap. but it is the only way to go for a gas tank.

I would cut back to the rear hatch then re-glass it. Hopefully you wont need the to get at the tank for another 30 years.

Remove the generator, it will make the job easier, that is not difficult on that boat. four bolts, fuel lines, wires, and a straight lift out the rear hatch. That might take an hour or so.

I would drain the rear tank of the remaining fuel. Hopefully you can pump it right into the front tank if it isnt full. Make sure you use an proper gasoline pump and that the boat is properly vented.


I bet you could get the tank out of the boat in an afternoon. Get a new tank made in a few days (depending on the fabricator) and re-install the next day.
maybe another 1/2 to 1 day to do the rough glass work and follow up the the finish work.

FYI, there was a recent marina fire with two serious injuries in Freeport, NY when to marina workers tried to cut out a gas tank out of a express cruiser. I guess you could google it, that was some fire.

I would estimate 8 to 16 hours of labor on the job, depending on the might-as-wells.

Work safely, work smart.

safety and ventilation is your friend, fuel vapors and explosions are not your friends.

If possible, I would bring the boat to Viking in New Gretna, NJ for them to accomplish this effort. From my experience, they will do the job the right way and the costs will be similar or less than other other shops.

Viking Customer service is one of the best in the business.

Weather you own one of their new 70+ plus Enclosed bridge S/Fs, their entry level one-point-something-million dollar 40' express models, or a 30 year old vintage convertible; Viking's customer service is top notch and they will talk with you and deal with you the same weather you are the first owner or owner number 5.

you can call customer service and they will find the guy who has been working there since the 1970's or 1980's who knows your boat.

They are very impressive.

Jetwave,

One would not expect Viking to have a fuel tank in stock for your boat. The response that you indicate is not typical of Viking. If you give them your HIN they can be very specific. In any case, they would have to fabricate a tank for your boat uin order to accomplish the replacement. Their work is excellent, upon completion it would be as good as or better than when brought in for the work. They stand behind their high quality work.

Generally to have an Aluminum fuel tank fabricated for that size is around $7-8 per gallon for the tank. I agree that Viking is an excellent place to have it changed. You may also really consider replacing the other tank at the same time....... A welding shop that makes tanks should be able to fabricate a new tank in days.

Check the sender on the top of your tank it happen to mine when I filled the tank the gasket went bad and the gas leak out and found gas under my tank and Thea was the problem