Propane Tank - Ayesail.net

Propane Locker
Modification of Hunter 356 to
accommodate fiberglass tanks
Jim Seamans
August 2012
SV Java
Page 1
My favorite tanks
One of the pains of having propane tanks on the boat - is RUST. Seems
no matter what one does to prevent it, they will rust at the bottom.
After several years of cleaning the bottom of the tanks and
repainting, I got tired of it. One day several months ago I was up on
the Hunter Owners website (http://hunterowners.com) and saw they
had fiberglass propane tanks that don’t rust. My problem, would they
fit? After procrastinating, finally pulled out the tank locker to see if it
could be enlarged to hold the new tanks. What follows is the story...
SV Java
Page 2
Propane Tank
This is the old propane steel tank. Both tanks were pulled out
and cleaned of rust two years ago. Afterwards, I repainted
with rust proof paint. You can see how well this worked. These
tanks are 5 lb. propane, 13 ins high and 9.25 ins in diameter.
So we have a total of 10 lbs. of propane for trips.
SV Java
Page 3
Propane locker
The locker is located on the starboard aft section of the
H356. There is a water/propane vent in the bottom of
the locker. Gas line, regulator and electrical for the
cutoff valve and coming in between tanks.
One has to love the rust rings in the bottom of the
locker. Kinda reminds of the ring I left in the bath tub
when I was young.
SV Java
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Locker removed
Propane locker is held in by four screws and the weight of the tanks.
You can see the locker pan has been taken out there is enormous
room below. The white tank to the right is the holding tank (don’t
mess with that or there will hell to pay). Measured 23 times to
ensure that things will fit. At this point I was ordering the new tanks
and wasn’t sure of the fit. Time was a factor since I needed to get
going with this. It was going to be close for enlarging the locker. The
forward edge was going to be very close or touching.
SV Java
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New Fiberglass Tank
This is the new tank, it measures 17 ins high and 9.5 ins in diameter.
Remember the old tank was 13 ins high......
SV Java
Page 6
Measuring the Locker
Locker on the table
Have the locker at home, beginning the
measurements on how this is going to work.
Locker is very well made, about a 1/4” thick
or more.
Upside down
Just realized I
don’t have the measurements for how
deep the locker is. Think it was about 15
inches.
Old tank
With the old tank in the locker, it is
about 1 inch below the top.
SV Java
Page 7
Cutting the locker
I set up my Black & Decker laser level on the edge of the table to
provide a nice line on the locker. Set it to cut 1 inch above lip.
As I rotated the locker, I used a pencil to scribe a line all
the way around the locker. This would ensure a nice
even cut at a constant depth from the top.
SV Java
Page 8
Before cutting the tub
Support brackets
Went to Lowe's and picked up some 1 inch wide
3 ft flat aluminum strips. These were cut into
9 inch long pieces. One end was marked off at 1
inch and the other end at 2 inches. This gave a
6 inch wide gap. Pre-drilled holes to later
accept rivets.
Marking the tub
Laid the strips on the tub and drew
lines around the strips. This will help in
the alignment and spacing of the tub.
Ready to make cut
Now everything laid out with pre-drilled
holes in the strips and top half of tub.
Now all I have to do is cut the tub in
half.
SV Java
Page 9
Cutting the tub
Preparing to cut the tub. Mask, ear and eye protection.
Tub cut in half, more or less. Used a Fein multimaster with a fine cutting blade. It went through
this fiberglass like butter.
SV Java
Page 10
Going back together
Cleaned up the bottom
Riveted the strips
Single rivet to the top of the tub
to set the metal strips.
Will it fit?
Using clamps set the top to the
bottom.
Inside look
SV Java
Page 11
Still checking
Using the clamps to hold things together, I took it to the boat and set
it in place. Whahooo, it fits great. No problems hitting anything.
Back home, now riveting the rest of the straps in place. At this point
the tub is very sturdy. Will need fiberglass to seal it up...
SV Java
Page 12
Fiberglass
Fiberglass matting
Laid out and cut fiberglass matte
in 9 x 11 inch panels.
Wrapped the opening
Using tape to hold panels, I
closed off the opening.
Opening enclosed
Glass panels are overlaid about
an inch on the seams. Will try to
keep epoxy off the tape
First epoxy
First soaking of epoxy. After this
set up, I came back with a second
coating. Once that was dry, hit it
with a sander to remove rough
spots.
SV Java
Page 13
My Favorite Castles
Second layer of cloth
Pealed the blue tape off and put
another layer of fiberglass and
two more coats of epoxy.
Now to finish off the inside
I mixed up a batch of epoxy with
filler to the consistency of thick
peanut butter.
Spread the peanut butter
Filled in the interior with a big
spreader. Sanded it and put in
another batch
Interior is done?
Fairly smooth wall. Also filled in
the old pass throughs to make
new holes.
SV Java
Page 14
Finished
Tanks fit
Have a nice fit
View from top
Painted the inside
Got a can of one part epoxy paint
from Lowe’s and sprayed the
inside. Looks nice
Finished
Everything back together and
finished. Now have non-rusting
tanks and 22 lbs of propane.
SV Java
Page 15