[Amel Yacht Owners] Leaking Fuel Tank
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amelforme
Be sure the fuel is clean and contains no water before it goes into your tank. Keep the tank as full as you can. Use an anti-organic additive that not only kills but also breaks down the organic material so it can pass through the filters and be burned and not form a sludge on the bottom of your tank. By the best quality fuel, from a proven safe source that sells a lot of fuel each day. Pre-filter your fuel before it goes into your tank. Joel F. Potter THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY 954-812-2485 On Nov 29, 2016, at 11:00 PM, James Alton lokiyawl2@... [amelyachtowners] <amelyachtowners@...> wrote:
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James Alton
Joel, Thank you for the additional information on the Amel tanks, that is indeed helpful. My Amel is now 29 years old and the tank seems fine, I am sure that the workmanship and selection of materials has a lot to do with the long life. I removed a few gallons of fuel from the lowest point in the tank via suction to check for water accumulation and plan to do the same each season. Are there any other steps that can help prevent corrosion in my tank internally? Best, James Alton SV Sueno, Maramu #220 Arbatax, Italy
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sailormon <kimberlite@...>
From: amelyachtowners@... [mailto:amelyachtowners@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 7:09 PM To: amelyachtowners@... Subject: RE: [Amel Yacht Owners] Leaking Fuel Tank
Many thanks, Joel. I'll keep you posted and take pics. It leaked down to the 60 liter level, so doesn't seem to be on the bottom. Strange, indeed. Cheers, Craig, SN#68 Sangaris |
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Hi Bill, If the claim had been under my Pantaenius Yacht Policy, I'm quite sure I could have reopened it. However, that policy specifically excludes coverage while transporting the yacht, which is when the lighting incident happened. We did take out a separate policy, also with Pantaenius, for the transport (arranged through Seven Star/Dockwise both owned by Spliethoff). As such your "yacht" is no longer a "yacht" but is classified as "Marine Cargo". All claims are subject to full depreciation ($35K of our $42K equipment damage was not covered) and you must sign off on all future claims in order to get your check. A word to the wise if you are contemplating shipping your boat. Cheers, Craig SN#68 Sangaris PS. They did cover installation costs which more than covered the equipment and I did all the work myself, so came out just fine financially. Others on the ship who had damage, but are not crazy DIY guys like me, took significant money losses. ---In amelyachtowners@..., <yahoogroups@...> wrote : Craig, It is the first thing I thought of, and I think even a closed claim can be reopened. Bill Rouse
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Many thanks, Joel. I'll keep you posted and take pics. It leaked down to the 60 liter level, so doesn't seem to be on the bottom. Strange, indeed.
Cheers, Craig, SN#68 Sangaris |
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amelforme
I have been told by folks at Amel and have observed that the Kirk, Euros, Sharki, Maramu, Mango , Santorin and Super Maramu all had 316L stainless steel tanks installed when built at Amel. Hope this is helpful. Joel F. Potter THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY 954-812-2485 On Nov 29, 2016, at 1:28 PM, James Alton lokiyawl2@... [amelyachtowners] <amelyachtowners@...> wrote:
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James Alton
Joel,
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This is good information and I am sure a relief to many. Can you tell me if the tanks on the Maramu’s were also 316L? James Alton SV Sueno, Maramu #220 Arbatax, Italy
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amelforme
Hiya Craig and sorry about your bad news. Your tank is magnificent 316L stainless steel as were all the tanks on all SM 53 and Santorins. I checked in with Olivier on this and your problem is the first either he or I have heard of a Santorin or Super Maramu with a diesel tank leak. If anyone who owns either model has had a diesel tank leak, could you please share the details? Bill’s guess at lightning seems like a good possibility but I can say that I have supervised the restoration of at least 25 Amel boats that have been hit by lightning and never did we find tank damage from the lightning incident. It must certainly be caused by something and your sleuthing skills are well calibrated so it will be interesting to see what you discover. These tanks are constructed of really good stainless welded by pros with the best inert gas equipment. On earlier Amel models that we have seen stainless steel tank failures on, it is usually precipitated by moisture/salt water if on the flat bottom surfaces or oxygen deprived ‘old’ water inside the tank if the welds are pinholed from the inside. I used to like to look at new ones at the shipyard when they came in from the supplier. Real artwork! I have an advanced welding certificate, earned in the 1970’s by AWS, so I know what the good stuff looks like, but not from looking at any of my metal melts unfortunately. Is it leaking from the bottom surface?
It should come out without any problems in one piece. Keep us posted on what it looks like when it comes out and send me a picture of the leak area, please.
All the Best, Joel Joel F. Potter/Cruising Yacht Specialist LLC THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY 954 462 5869 office 954 812 2485 cell
From: amelyachtowners@... [mailto:amelyachtowners@...]
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2016 3:36 PM To: amelyachtowners@... Subject: RE: [Amel Yacht Owners] Leaking Fuel Tank
Craig, Isn't it possible that lightening caused this? Bill Rouse
On Nov 28, 2016 4:22 PM, "sangaris@... [amelyachtowners]" <amelyachtowners@...> wrote:
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Bill & Judy Rouse <yahoogroups@...>
Craig, It is the first thing I thought of, and I think even a closed claim can be reopened. Bill Rouse On Nov 29, 2016 9:30 AM, "sangaris@... [amelyachtowners]" <amelyachtowners@...> wrote:
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Hi Bill,
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Hadn't thought of that, but I suppose it certainly could be. Will examine it when I remove it in the next few weeks and report back. Unfortunately, that insurance claim is closed. Maybe I'll just smoosh some JB Weld on it ;-) Craig ---In amelyachtowners@..., <yahoogroups@...> wrote : Craig, Isn't it possible that lightening caused this? Bill Rouse
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Bill & Judy Rouse <yahoogroups@...>
Craig, Isn't it possible that lightening caused this? Bill Rouse On Nov 28, 2016 4:22 PM, "sangaris@... [amelyachtowners]" <amelyachtowners@...> wrote:
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When it rains it pours...
The tank on my SN#68 just sprung a leak. I haven't taken it out yet, but It appears a straight-forward job to remove and carry out to the cockpit. (not being in the engine room as the 54 must be). I'm guessing it's the same 5086 H111 AL, Joel, that you noted for the Amel 54. Yes? Also, does anyone have a schematic of the tank? I'm up in Vero Beach, FL and had Tank-Nicians recommended for fabricating a replacement - anyone have any experience with them or can recommend others? Will appreciate any suggestions. Cheers, Craig Briggs SN#68 Sangaris ---In amelyachtowners@..., <jfpottercys@...> wrote : Hi Bob. It is considered bad form to kill the messenger bringing bad news. The tank in your boat cannot be removed without cutting it in pieces. It is made from 5086 H111 aluminum alloy. Two tanks will need to be fabricated to fit in the same space. I have confirmed this with Olivier. Sorry to have this news to give you. If you send me your email address, I can send you some free advice that will be worth much more than it costs.
Before you Amel folks with an Amel 54 panic, there are extenuating circumstances which most probably led to the failure of the tank on this particular boat.
Joel F. Potter/Cruising Yacht Specialist LLC THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY 954 462 5869 office 954 812 2485 cell
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amelforme
Hi Bob. It is considered bad form to kill the messenger bringing bad news. The tank in your boat cannot be removed without cutting it in pieces. It is made from 5086 H111 aluminum alloy. Two tanks will need to be fabricated to fit in the same space. I have confirmed this with Olivier. Sorry to have this news to give you. If you send me your email address, I can send you some free advice that will be worth much more than it costs.
Before you Amel folks with an Amel 54 panic, there are extenuating circumstances which most probably led to the failure of the tank on this particular boat.
Joel F. Potter/Cruising Yacht Specialist LLC THE EXPERIENCED AMEL GUY 954 462 5869 office 954 812 2485 cell
From: amelyachtowners@... [mailto:amelyachtowners@...]
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2016 5:40 AM To: amelyachtowners@... Subject: [Amel Yacht Owners] Leaking Fuel Tank
Yesterday I left the boat for several hours for a Thanksgiving day with family. On returning to the boat I found my nearly full tank of diesel all in the engine room/bilge. Fortunately, the original bilge pump broke a few days ago, Maud has parts on order, and I have not yet installed a back up, so an environmental disaster was averted. I had manually pumped out the bilge/grey water just before leaving the boat, so it was almost all clean diesel. I pumped it through the Racor filters back into the tank. When the level was down so I could see what was going on, there was a steady stream of diesel entering the engine room at the floor level in the far forward starboard corner. That is where all the large battery cables run starboard towards the battery box. This morning all the diesel is back in the engine room. Fortunately there is no diesel odor in the main cabin, attesting to the integrity of the watertight compartments in the Amel.
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