Saturday, December 10, 2011

Cutting out the fuel tank bulkheads

Sorry no picture. Will take some when I go down next.
Since I am putting in the same size replacement tank, I decided not to remove the forward bulkhead in the bilge.
I put four holes in this bulkhead to assist drainage. Then I started to attack the bulkhead that seperates the fuel tank and lowest portion of the bilge. I drilled some holes then got to work with my sawzall. Soon I saw some sparks fly and discovered I had cut the wiring to the bilge pump.
Anyways I now have a fairly big hole and I can see what is going on underneath the engine.
The next trip down I will cut out some more of the bulkhead and figure out how to remove the fiberglass pan under the engine. I will also repair the wiring to the bilge pump and install a new float switch.
The weather in Skagway was fairly warm, above zero with a very strong gusty wind blowing. ( 30-40 knots )