Need help with my sharkcat rebuild

[Phatkat24]

Im not too sure about the original purpose of her. She is a central queensland boat so before me it had a pair of 140 johnno's, then i bought it about 2 years ago it had the twin 135 optis on it. 99 models, but basically ive had nothing but dramas with it but i have come to far to let it beat me. Ive sold the opti's now and got her all podded. Any help on the year or info on the build would help. I know it pre 84 because of the curved stem on the sponsons but that about it. Attachment 80867

[boatboy50]

Hey Mate,

Your pics aren't working.

I've worked with cats made after about 1990, and they all to my knowledge had S/S or alloy tanks.

I'd be very interested to see the pics.

Darren

Darren

[Mister]

Sounds like a boat that had added fuel capacity and had to use aircraft type fuel core due to the capacity? Have you ever filled these tanks from scratch to full? Are there any signs of old pod arrangements (bolt holes) in the stern. What name was it previous?

[Phatkat24]

Sorry about the pics not working ill try again to attach them... as for the tank volume i believe that they are 300l. When i bought the boat it was call Phatkat but previously it was called Topcat.

[Phatkat24]

Attachment 80903Photos of the floor being cut out exposing the top of the tank

[Noelm]

photos still not working, there is a link in the help section that explains how to attach photos, it's pretty easy to follow, from my hazy memory, most 23' had 205 litre tanks (the old 44Gallon drum) so perhaps yours has been enlarged at sometime, but then again, my hazy memory could be way off

[Fed]

For posting pictures use the Advanced Reply Box, the Quick Reply Box doesn't work.

[Phatkat24]

photo.jpgphoto.jpgphoto.jpgHopefully this time it works...

[Noelm]

those tanks do not seem to be in the right place, the filler for them was a lot further back down the gunnel/deck that that one, maybe it has been modded and the tanks moved forward a bit, at a guess, I thing they would have been in the compartment between the tanks where they are now, and the storage boxes in the rear, where those two round holes are cut.

[Mister]

Those tanks were specially made and I reckon they have had ethanol fuel in them at some time which ate the inards out of the fuel cells?

[The Woo]

Yeah they're a long way forward.
Standard tank position was in the compartment ahead of the kill tanks, and aft of where they are now. Are there any tank in that area now, where the inspection ports are? Any hoses eaither for filler or feeds going through a bulkhead anywhere to fill a tank further aft?

I remember "Top Cat". If it's the same Top Cat she's worked central Queensland waters as long as I can recall and I'm 37. I'll ask my old man too, but I think she was a pro reef fishing boat for a lot of years, and likely needed the range that bigger tanks bring. Given the weight they'd carry in ice and fish she may well have been built or modded to have tanks further forward.

*** Also, it may be a trick of the eye, but in the cockpit area, is the area between the inner coaming edge and the floor been filled? If so, what's in there?

[Phatkat24]

Thanks so much for the info guys the tanks are now out of the boat and after a quick measure they are 400L each. Alot more than i need thats for sure. As for the history of the boat it would be great if anyone comes up with more info.... I just filled in the area next to the helm because they had a hidous alloy box that the controls were mounted to so i just filled it in and ill cut it out later to what ever size suits. If you guys want more pics of her let me now and illl throw some up. Thanks again.

[The Woo]

Always keen to look at pics of other people's projects mate.
I've spoken to my Dad, he doesn't remember any more details than I do sorry. He actually thought it used to be red and white? Any trace of red on her?

What are you doing with the tanks?

Where are you mounting the controls? Lots of guys seem to mount them up on the dash at chest height which I'm not a fan of. I like them (and the trims, rewire/reswitch if need be) down beside me at waist/hip level so you can really work the throttles properly in a sea. Near impossible to be smooth on throttles when reaching forward with your body weight heaving for and aft.

I think there's another 23 in my future once the current project is complete. Love them

[Phatkat24]

There is a trace of red on the front under the anti foul so might be the boat .. Do you remember what powered her then ?

As for the tanks ill be replacing the fibreglass tanks with either stainless or alloy need to do some research, ill decreace the volume but.. Ill be mounting the controls on the side so i can have finger tip control when underway. Ill put some more photos of the project up tommorow it will be a new boat when im done !!

[Mister]

Any comments if those fuel tanks have had ethanol in them in recent times? Those fuel cells should not have failed otherwise.