Are the panels blocking the tank required?

SaturdaySchool

I have my fuel tanks out in 2004 22 cruiser. Fixing the rot where the screws went into the hull. Was thinking about epoxy glassing some cribbing around the tanks and the running the strap down to the hull. This would eliminate the board between the tanks and the cockpit. Is this ok? Or is that board required beyond cosmetics?
Thanks!

Flashyfish · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:03 pm Post subject:

I did the same work on my 2004 Angler. The panels are not structural, mainly cosmetic. The panels do provide protection to the tanks from inadvertent shoe impact, fish blood carnage and UV damage. I replaced mine with King Starboard after filling in the screw holes in the deck. My retention straps run horizontally.

thataway · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2023 10:42 pm Post subject:

Some of the later boats (and I am not sure where your 2004 boat falls in this category) have a wood strip glassed into the floor, and the screws for the strap to hold the tank is screwed into this glassed in strake. I have done this on one of my 22's the other already had the done.

I do believe that it is wise to protect the fuel tanks from potential puncture. Not sure what the percent of this happening would be. I suspect remote, but there is certainly a safety factor. Again, be sure that the strip in front of the tabs is glassed in, not screwed into the floor.

drbridge · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 1:58 am Post subject:

I took those panels out of ours when we first got it 7 or 8 yeqrs ago. Just seems like excess weight to me. I like being able to see my fuel level clearly and provides easy access to change fuel filter and a little extra storage room for soft items on top of the tanks. The poly tanks are pretty tough.

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 1:02 pm Post subject:

Although I agree that polypropylene tanks are "pretty tough". But I had one fuel and know of several fuel tanks that developed cracks. I also had a water tank in an RV split. (not under freezing conditions)