P 365 Ketch Fuel Tank replacement

[vesper]

hi,  does anyone know if the 40(?) gallon fuel tank in a 1979 P-365 (hull 246) can be removed in one piece without having to remove the engine?  thanks,

gp
baltimore

[slokat]

There's (9) hidden bolts that you need to access and undo and the whole cockpit opens up like the bonnet on an English sports car, offering complete access to the engine & fuel tank....

...I can day dream.

Actually, here's a discussion on the alternative to removing the engine - http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=557.0

[vesper]

thank you Slokat,  we had a P-28 and was surprised that tank came out thru the sail locker, and was thinking that maybe they figured the tank in th 365 would have to be replaced as well,  I was having way too much fun this year anyway,  time for a job like this.  thanks again,

gp

[BlameItOnBuffett]

There's (9) hidden bolts that you need to access and undo and the whole cockpit opens up like the bonnet on an English sports car, offering complete access to the engine & fuel tank....

...I can day dream.

Actually, here's a discussion on the alternative to removing the engine - http://www.pearson365.com/forum/index.php?topic=557.0

I must admit, you had my complete attention, and then had me LOL. We can all dream....

[Tilikum]

I had a hole cut in the cockpit sole with a jigsaw by a pro carpenter. Rhough the gap we whipped the tank out and the same size plastic tank in. It is not as bad as it seems. The idea came from one of the members and pictures were on this site, plus a description in good English how to do it. The cut out piece has been bolted back on. It all looks nice. The new tank has a proper inspection hole/hatch so I can clean the tank easily. The whole adventure cost me sevenhundredfifty Euro here in Turkey.
Good luck,
John (Tilikum)