Adding inspection hatch.....

[cruzinchris]

.... above the fuel tank.

My 87 C34 is holding up pretty good.  Bought it a year ago and going through most of the systems.  I am sure the fuel tank would like to be checked and cleaned.  I've read here about the difficulty of getting the tank out.  What about adding a Bomar hatch above the tank to do the maintenance without pulling the tank?

Here is one I am thinking about:

https://www.westmarine.com/bomar-inspection-hatch-black-14inch-x-16inch-opening-2414696.html

Thanks to the group.

Chris
Santa Cruz, CA

[robbjd]

Chris, our 97 Mk2 has a round inspection port that allows access to the fuel shut off valve, pick up tube and the fuel return line. I think it's about 6 inches in diameter. I think you could use a much smaller hatch to access the top of your tank.

[Jim Hardesty]

Chris, our 97 Mk2 has a round inspection port that allows access to the fuel shut off valve, pick up tube and the fuel return line. I think it's about 6 inches in diameter. I think you could use a much smaller hatch to access the top of your tank.

Shamrock, a 2001, has 2 one for fuel shut off one for the gage.  They only go to the top outside of the tank.  The gage has a small access to the inside of the tank. I don't think that it would be much good for tank cleaning.
Jim

[Ron Hill]

Chris : The fuel tank is easy to remove. Just remove the port side panel in the aft cabin and you have full access to the fuel tank. Then remove the fuel gage wire, the output fuel line, the fuel fill line and the overflow vent line. Then a couple of hold down lag bolts and the tank will come right out!!

When it's out you can really inspect the tank.  I don't believe that your proposed hatch will NOT allow you to clean the tanks insides.

A few thoughts

[cruzinchris]

Thanks for the replies.  I will try to pull the tank!

[ewengstrom]

Our 88 has that exact hatch over the fuel tank.....it works pretty well other than the fact you have to be a bit of a contortionist to get into that locker to get to the hatch and then the tank below it.
I didn't add this hatch, it was there when we bought the boat.
We did replace the fuel tank a few years ago due to internal corrosion (I guess the P/O didn't use said hatch to clean out the tank.... )
I installed a second clean out on the new tank on the aft end of the internal baffle for access to the entire tank. The access hatch gives me access to both clean out ports and all other important parts of the fuel tank without removing the tank itself. I for one like having this access.