Converting Holding Tank to Diesel Tanks ?

[dennisail]

Just pondering the idea of getting a Catalina 38 from the US. Not saying I will do this, just thinking of options. One of the things that stands out is the lack of diesel tankage. 35g is pretty dismal but most also have 15-25g of holding tank. A cruise across the pacific is going to require diesel not holding tanks. What could I expect the holding tanks to be made out of? Could I just plumb the head straight out and use the holding tank for an extra 70% diesel tankage after a good clean of course?

Stupid idea?

[SailFastTri]

Not familiar with that boat but I doubt you could ever clean any used holding tank well enough to be suitable for diesel.

[KestrelBuck]

Well, this would surely lend credence to the sage advice that one add a biocide to diesel fuel of dubious origins!

[ShipShape]

Fuel tank requirements are very stringent for good reason, and it is unlikely that a holding tank would meet any of the requirements. Your best option would be to insert a flexible fuel bladder into the holding tank. ATL makes custom bladders of any size - I have no idea of the cost, but upgrading a holding tank for fuel would be expensive, if it could be done at all. www.atlinc.com

[bljones]

might as well just tie 5 5 gallon jerry cans along the lifelines- it would give you the same capacity as your holding tank with minimal cost and no work.

[dennisail]

I really couldn't see a problem as long as the tanks could be easily inspected and pressure cleaned and they are made of the correct material. Will this not be the case? You hear plenty of stories where real fuel tanks cause engine probs because they are full of **** anyway Most people wouldn't clean out their fuel tanks so a cleaned and inspected holding tank may well have less **** in it than a 30 year old uncleaned fuel tank?