July 2/3

The task this weekend is to remove the second tank, clear out the area where it was and start repainting the bilge. Removing the second tank is a repeat of the first tank. Slide the tank from beside the engine aft to where the first tank was. Then tilt it over on it back and slide it to the center of the engine room. Stand it back up again and slide it up between the engines. Hook up the lifting harness. Attach everything to the lift frame over the hatches. Crank up the come-alongs. Put 2x4s under the tank. Remove the harness. Slide the tank out salon doors. Hook up the dingy crane. Pick up the tank and swing it over the side of the cockpit on to the dock. Put the furniture dolly under the tank. Roll the tank to the parking lot and load into the van. Takes about an hour of work.

Here is the empty space where the forward tank came from. Behind the tank is just the raw fiberglass. The cribbing is the support for the tank under the support platform. All this area needed to be sanded to prep it for some Interlux Bilge Kote paint. This paint is designed to resist oil, diesel, etc. in the bilge. Obviously this will be my one and only time available to clean and paint this area.

This is the same location with the first coat of paint. I was debating using white fiberglass to cover this area but after a lot of research decided on the Bilge Kote instead.

Also, as long as I have access to the outside of the engine, there is some rust on the engine mounts and exhaust manifold. So all that will get cleared up and painted at the same time.