[terrypope]

We have developed a leak in the fuel tank of our 2001 43 Open.  Has anyone had the fuel tanks removed in a 43 Open?  I would appreciate any guidance.
Terry Pope

[jclark003]

Sorry to hear that Terry. Assume you have ruled out other causes (vent line, senders, return fuel lines)? Any idea what caused the leak?

You may want to give Tiara a call to see if they have a service bulletin for the tanks. I just resealed and painted my window frames (same year, make and model) and would have had a heck of a time without getting the procedure from Tiara. Actually when I changed out my fuel senders they gave me the drawing, part number and manufacturer of the fuel tanks (Florida Tank) so you should be able to get the tanks fabricated easy enough.

I can't imagine getting the tank(s) out without cutting out the cockpit floor but I would want Tiara to tell me that. While I hope never to have that experience it probably sounds worse than it is. A good glass person who knows how to mold in the non skid can make it look pretty good when it comes time to out it back together.

Keep us informed and best of luck.

[terrypope]

Sorry to hear that Terry. Assume you have ruled out other causes (vent line, senders, return fuel lines)? Any idea what caused the leak?

You may want to give Tiara a call to see if they have a service bulletin for the tanks. I just resealed and painted my window frames (same year, make and model) and would have had a heck of a time without getting the procedure from Tiara. Actually when I changed out my fuel senders they gave me the drawing,  part number and manufacturer of the fuel tanks (Florida Tank) so you should be able to get the tanks fabricated easy enough.

I can't imagine getting the tank(s) out without cutting out the cockpit floor but I would want Tiara to tell me that. While I hope never to have that experience it probably sounds worse than it is. A good glass person who knows how to mold in the non skid can make it look pretty good when it comes time to out it back together.

Keep us informed and best of luck.

---

Thanks for your reply to our fuel tank issue. To replace the fuel tanks with new ones would require the removal of the cockpit floor with an estimated cost of $25,000.-$30,000. Problem with that option is that no one was willing to guarantee that they could match the tiara nonskid. Since we are meticulous with our boat, we ruled that option out. I did find a welding fabrication co. who is willing to cut into tanks, remove baffles, plate bottom of tanks, go up sides 3 in. depending on what they find. Sounds impossible to me but they regularly do it. Let you know what they find and how repair goes.

[Uhehner]

I would think they would reinstall the removed deck and just have to repair the cut. That's what my buddy just did on his 40 Silverton. I would also think they could overlay a plate on the bottom and 3" up the sides without cutting up the tank . Then you would have a double wall that would add rigidity to the tank. I know of some tank failures due to flexing of the hull that put stress on the tank. Is the leak from corrosion or is it a stress fracture or a bad weld?
Capt. George

[Lured Away]

Terry just sent you an email with my contact info. I just went through this on a 1998 37' Open.  Boat just back together and in the water and cant tell the work was ever done. Don't get too focused on the non-skid it can be matched and in fact all my contractor did was grind it back a few inches. I am also super meticulous about the boat. 

I looked at the welder route and determined that would only be a temporary fix and after pulling the tanks I'm glad I didn't go that route. 

 Not alone, in my research I found a few tiaras of this vintage that had the same problem. I started getting small amounts of fuel in the aft bilge and basically the tanks made by Skyline tanks out of Utah got pinhole leaks and/or cracks in the welds and of course they are now out of business.  The deck was cut out and new tanks installed.

[williamwalter]

I had a 33 open that had a recall on the fuel tank.before I purchased in 2001 there was a major recall on fuel tanks which Tiara honored even though the boat was a 93 .it was determined that the tanks were leaking due to corosion and they had to inspect the suspect tanks.it was determined the only way to find out if the tank was corrupted was to cut the deck and remove tank.if the tank was corrupted it was replaced.if not corrupted it was coated with epoxy to prevent the possibility of corrosion from the outside and replaced.the old deck was put back in with extra support.fiberglass L channel and wood post.looked great in beginning but after about 10 years I noticed hairline cracks where they cut and a little discoloration.also the L channel rested against my fuel fill line which failed and I had to replace then cut back L channel in that area.good luck Bill