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HUGHES 29 PROJECTS (RESTORATION AND UPDATING)
THE GAS TANK
|
When ever I opened the boat up we noticed the smell of gas in the cabin. It wasn't until I took the engine out that I had access to the fuel tank. The vent hose had hardened and broken off just behind the clamp. The tank was venting into the cabin through the broken hose. I did not like the location of the fuel filler on the sole of the cockpit where dirt and water could and would go into the tank every time you opened it to fill it. the tank was starting to rust so I decided to remove it and all the current and potential problems with it. I temporarily plumbed in a 2.5 gal plastic outboard tank with a new hose and rubber squeeze ball. It has worked out so well that I am going to go to a 5 gallon tank and vent it properly so I can move it from the cockpit into the lazarette. |
The old tank from under the floor
THE STEM PLATE
| The stem plate is aluminium and
had an anchor roller which was also aluminium welded to the front. Any
pressure and the roller would bend. The roller was also ready to disintegrate
from old age. I took off the plate and cut off the anchor roller and then
had it powder coated black.
Under the plate the balsa core was all wet and starting to rot so that had to be removed. It was then filled with epoxy with micro balloons, sanded and painted before the plate was re-attached. |
Stem plate rot area and the plate modified, painted and re-attached
| Stainless steel tiller head | |
 |
The old tiller head was cast aluminium which was starting to develop stress cracks so I had a copy made out of stainless steel made by Stainless Outfitters. |
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