'99 KW sportsman 1720 side console gas tank replacement

Taralynnm79

I recently purchased a used '99 Keywest Sportsman 1720 with a side console. When out on the water we discovered that there was gas leaking into bilge. We now know there a major leak in the tank and that we need to have it replaced. Estimate from local fiberglass shop is around $4500. Hoping to see if anyone had recommendations on somewhere else that might be less expensive or suggestions on how to get this done.

needles

Do you have the room to use portable tanks?

Taralynnm79

Have room for a portable but best location to keep it out of the way is under the bench seat in back of the boat. Boat is so back heavy already that we are afraid it will make it that much heavier. Have trim tabs which help but still nose of boat goes so high up out of water when first going forward.

We have two stroke motor with a separate oil injection so we don't have to mix. Can you hook up a portable tank to one those so we don't have to mix gas and oil?

squidvicious

Taralynnm79 wrote: »

I recently purchased a used '99 Keywest Sportsman 1720 with a side console. When out on the water we discovered that there was gas leaking into bilge. We now know there a major leak in the tank and that we need to have it replaced. Estimate from local fiberglass shop is around $4500. Hoping to see if anyone had recommendations on somewhere else that might be less expensive or suggestions on how to get this done.

done a few key west 1720's and 15's too

that number,$4,500 sounds about right - done correctly...chemically etch primed/epoxy coated aluminum tank,hosing - setting the tank correctly,NOT foaming it in place....

MelbourneMark

I replaced the tank in my 1720 sportsman, center console. I contacted key west and they told me about where the tank was and the dimensions. I was able to verify this by looking and measuring using the factory installed pie hatch under the console.
I removed the console, and cut the deck out. I removed the tank and replaced it with a plastic tank. My regret is that I bought a smaller aftermarket tank to fit the dimensions... The tank was ~200$, and a new duplicate tank was ~$500. I would gladly pay the difference now for the extra size. (I also had to replace the fuel fill lines as the tank connections were not at the same spots, and the fuel fill hose is expensive!)
I used pieces of alum angle and starboard to make a "lip" to reset the piece of deck that I cut out. I resealed with 5200. The piece of deck that I cut out is under the console, and does not really bare much weight.

BUT, If your tank is in the same spot as mine is; then you will be walking on it. This will require you to make a nice clean structurally sound re-install of the deck.

If it was me, I would buy/borrow a camera-scope and inspect the tank as best as you can. You may have a leaky fitting or something that may be replaced easier than a whole tank!

Soda Popinski

You guys are scaring me to death. I have the same boat. It's only worth about $5500 so sinking another 4500 would be unthinkable.

MelbourneMark

Parts are <$1000, it's the labor that's get you.

Soda Popinski

MelbourneMark wrote: »

Parts are <$1000, it's the labor that's get you.

All the cutting, and re-glassing I imagine. both things i am no good at.

Taralynnm79

So we went ahead and purchased an above deck fuel tank as a temporary fix until we can save up the money to have it properly repaired. We bought a 12 gallon shallow tank from West Marine. My question is...does anyone know if we will be able to hook this up to the oil injection for our Johnson 2-stroke 90hp motor so that we do not have mix oil and gas? There is already one installed on the boat so that it we do not have to do this, I'd just like to keep it that way if possible. Any instructions for hooking this portable tank are appreciated.

MelbourneMark

Do you have an oil tank in the boat? Or do you add oil to your gas tank?

The motor won't care where it's sucking fuel from. I would add a fuel water seperator inline the system. You can mount it in the back battery hatch and run the fuel line to that and then to the motor.

FYI: west marine is very expensive. You should be able to find a marine store local that is cheaper for products. What area are you in?

Taralynnm79

Yes. There is already a separator installed. Do we just disconnect the old fuel line from the below deck tank and run a new line from the portable tank to the separator? That's what it sounds like to me. If you know of a video or instructions on doing that that you can provide it would be great!