I have recently purchased a 1989 C-Dory 22 Cruiser. The boat has the original aluminum fuel tank that I think has a pin hole leak from looking at the bottom after removal. I would like to replace it with two new Moeller tanks but I am having trouble figuring out which models would fit. I have contacted the C-Dory factory and learned that they use 23 gallon tanks on the newly built boats but they couldn't tell me if the molds were the same in '89 as now. Could anyone out there help me with this? Thanks.
fuel tank question for C-Dory 22
- Thread starter DavidC.
- Start date
Captains Cat
New member
DavidC.":189rnddn said:
Welcome David! I don't think an aluminum tank was original on any 22. I'll poke around the site (you can too) to try and find a Moellar tank that will fit.
On edit: many posts in many threads including Moeller part numbers. Put <replacement fuel tanks> in the google custom search box on any page. I'd measure your space carefully and compare measurements with those on the Moeller website.
When removing , make sure you check the core for moisture and fix as necessary. In installing, drill/undercut fill with epoxy and redrill to keep the core safe. Lots of instructions and photos on this site too!
Charlie
I am not positive about the 1989, but here is what I can say that may help:
1) I think I have seen that there were some metal tanks available as options back then (such as a single "crossover" tank). Not that that really matters since you are replacing it.
2) I looked at a 1990 Cruiser and I didn't see anything substantially different in the fuel tank area (it had the often standard 18 gallon rectangular Moeller tanks). I believe the new tanks I put in my 22 would have fit in it as well.
3) I have the Moeller tank part numbers in my album - they are the 23-gallon pair (port and starboard mirrored design) that the builder was using as current two summers ago (and likely is using now). I've also mentioned them in a few threads, as Captain's Cat related.
4) Here is the one thing I would check more closely: Where do your fuel fill(s) come through the gunwale in relation to where the filler necks are on the Moeller tanks? This is something that is pretty much "set" on the tanks, and you can only put so much bend into a short fill hose. Of course you could put new fills into the boat if necessary, but that would be less fun if it were a surprise. On my boat (and I think other "later model" 22's, the starboard fill was a nearly straight shot down to the tank, whereas the port side has a dog leg (because the lazarette wall gets in the way of a straighter run). I got the "Michelin Man" type hose which bends easier, but it's still a bit of a pain because that side needs to be filled more slowly. Much more of a jog and it would not work at all, IMO (I put the curve of the fuel nozzle facing the same way as the jog and that helps). In fact, if I were to do it over (or re-do it in future), I would make a small cutout in the wall of the lazarette and re-fiberglass it so that there was a "groove" or "tunnel" for the fuel hose to go through in a straighter shot. Your forward lazarette wall may be different, but something to check.
5) The 23-gallon tanks were originally 25-gallon tanks, but then in around 2006 they were cut down by around an inch (when the cockpit sole molding/liner was added, I believe). So you lose two gallons on each tank, but OTOH I was able to fit quite a few things above the tanks that I would otherwise have had to find a home for elsewhere (trim tab HPU, washdown pump, etc. -- affixed to bottom of lazarette compartment so not touching tanks).
6) And as mentioned, I would check over any holes that went into the cockpit sole (which is the core of the hull) and overdrill/fill them. I mounted my new tanks with no holes into the hull (combination of fiberglass angles/epoxy/footman loops/methacrylate glue).
7) At least on my era boat, the new tanks sit back aft of the splashwell upper molding and so it's possible to fit full height fiberglass cover panels if one so desires (some older tanks projected forward of this line and thus weren't able to accomodate full height covers). That said, I put canvas covers on temporarily so that I could easily get in to adjust the shims as the tanks expanded -- and now I find them so convenient I'm not sure I'm going to mount the solid ones! (Do be sure to allow every last bit of expansion room Moeller calls for; I did and I would not have been happy with any less.)
1) I think I have seen that there were some metal tanks available as options back then (such as a single "crossover" tank). Not that that really matters since you are replacing it.
2) I looked at a 1990 Cruiser and I didn't see anything substantially different in the fuel tank area (it had the often standard 18 gallon rectangular Moeller tanks). I believe the new tanks I put in my 22 would have fit in it as well.
3) I have the Moeller tank part numbers in my album - they are the 23-gallon pair (port and starboard mirrored design) that the builder was using as current two summers ago (and likely is using now). I've also mentioned them in a few threads, as Captain's Cat related.
4) Here is the one thing I would check more closely: Where do your fuel fill(s) come through the gunwale in relation to where the filler necks are on the Moeller tanks? This is something that is pretty much "set" on the tanks, and you can only put so much bend into a short fill hose. Of course you could put new fills into the boat if necessary, but that would be less fun if it were a surprise. On my boat (and I think other "later model" 22's, the starboard fill was a nearly straight shot down to the tank, whereas the port side has a dog leg (because the lazarette wall gets in the way of a straighter run). I got the "Michelin Man" type hose which bends easier, but it's still a bit of a pain because that side needs to be filled more slowly. Much more of a jog and it would not work at all, IMO (I put the curve of the fuel nozzle facing the same way as the jog and that helps). In fact, if I were to do it over (or re-do it in future), I would make a small cutout in the wall of the lazarette and re-fiberglass it so that there was a "groove" or "tunnel" for the fuel hose to go through in a straighter shot. Your forward lazarette wall may be different, but something to check.
5) The 23-gallon tanks were originally 25-gallon tanks, but then in around 2006 they were cut down by around an inch (when the cockpit sole molding/liner was added, I believe). So you lose two gallons on each tank, but OTOH I was able to fit quite a few things above the tanks that I would otherwise have had to find a home for elsewhere (trim tab HPU, washdown pump, etc. -- affixed to bottom of lazarette compartment so not touching tanks).
6) And as mentioned, I would check over any holes that went into the cockpit sole (which is the core of the hull) and overdrill/fill them. I mounted my new tanks with no holes into the hull (combination of fiberglass angles/epoxy/footman loops/methacrylate glue).
7) At least on my era boat, the new tanks sit back aft of the splashwell upper molding and so it's possible to fit full height fiberglass cover panels if one so desires (some older tanks projected forward of this line and thus weren't able to accomodate full height covers). That said, I put canvas covers on temporarily so that I could easily get in to adjust the shims as the tanks expanded -- and now I find them so convenient I'm not sure I'm going to mount the solid ones! (Do be sure to allow every last bit of expansion room Moeller calls for; I did and I would not have been happy with any less.)
T.R. Bauer
New member
This link to the tank below is incredibly close to the original 18 gallon temp tank. You will have to move your mounting brackets in the front though slightly because it is a 19 gallon tank.
http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Marine-Be ... allon+tank
http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Marine-Be ... allon+tank
If I had to get a new fuel tank for an older 22, I'd go with the "saddle tank" style that a few here have put in their boats. Do a search on saddle tank and you'll find many posts and info about them. See for example this thread.
rogerbum":2nhkat0b said:
I agree that saddle tanks would be really nice in a 22. Extra storage for light things aft, and the weight of the fuel forward. I went with the Moeller "pre fab" tanks when I did mine because -- at the time -- I didn't want to get into a full custom tank process, and it looked like that's what I'd want in order to get them to fit really nicely and/or have good capacity. So, I went with the Moellers as the "easy/drop-in" solution at the time, with the idea that perhaps in future I'd re-visit the custom/saddle tank option (at the time I had too many other upgrade irons in the fire!).
I still do think they'd be really nice, presuming one could get a similar volume as the after tanks (I think it's probably likely in a custom configuration). And who knows, maybe there is an off-the-shelf size that would fit nicely - I didn't really dig into it as I had the "easy" Moellers at my disposal for a very attractive price.
Captains Cat":xcflw75n said:
FWIW, our 1991 C-Dory 22 Cruiser came new from the factory with the then optional 58-gallon aluminum tank, which was partitioned into two 29-gallon sections. With our 2-cycle Yamaha 90 and a heavy cruising load, we often needed the capacity. Sure made the stern heavier when it was full.
Captains Cat
New member
I stand (sit presently) corrected...
Charlie
Charlie