39 sea ray (tank leak)

DON SIMMONDS

DON SIMMONDS

Member
Aug 17, 2008
74
MARITIMES
Boat Info
1986 39' SPORTFISH SEDAN BRIDGE
Engines
2 X 454
I am new to this, i have owned sea rays since 1998. Now i purchaced a fresh water 1986 39' sea ray sport fish sedan. I am having problems with my fresh water tank. As soon as i fill it the water leaks out. It is impossible to see where it is leaking out. I am prepared to remove the galley floor and to remove the tank but i thouht i would give this a try and see if any 39' owners have had such a problem. Thanks don (kajessiv)
 
DON SIMMONDS said:
I am new to this, i have owned sea rays since 1998. Now i purchaced a fresh water 1986 39' sea ray sport fish sedan. I am having problems with my fresh water tank. As soon as i fill it the water leaks out. It is impossible to see where it is leaking out. I am prepared to remove the galley floor and to remove the tank but i thouht i would give this a try and see if any 39' owners have had such a problem. Thanks don (kajessiv)
Click to expand...

Don,

Welcome to CSR.

I have a '89 390 EC that had the tank replaced last year by the previous owner. The original tanks are a very thin guage aluminum and when they start to go they start going quickly. Mine was replaced with a new aluminum tank that was custom built to the original dimensions but from a much heavier guage aluminum.

I think that the tank was removed by sliding it thru an opening that was made in the bulkhead that seperates the bilge from the salon. It was patched and sealed afterwards.

I am not familiar with the equipment layout on your boat but they should be similar.

Hope this helps
 
Thanks for the imfo. I own a 87 sedan bridge, the 39 sport fish (keeper) a 86 seville min cabin (keeper) and a 88 seville min cabin. Have owned previous 1981 255 sedan bridge, a 1973 seabird 23' and a 16' lone star. Thanks for the relpy. Don
 
My '85 also has had the water tank replaced with a poly tank by the PO.
Looks to me like they just cut out the floor between the stringers, replaced the tank, added some additional "nailers" to screw the wood back down.

I think you're the first on the board with the convertible. Your tank layout may be different than the expresses?
 
Been there, done that. I replaced both my fresh water tanks with plastic on my 460EC. Pulled back carpet and cut up the floors. Bit of a pain. Curiously my leaks started after I poured a bunch of bleach in the tank to "sanitize" it. I think it ate away at the build up of calcium that was inside the tanks.
 
I have a 85 390 sf that i'm going to pressure check this weekend to determine if it is the tank or connections. if you try this, use very low pressure 3-5 psi max. i'm doing mine empty with ''snoop'' leak detector or another option is food coloring to see where it is coming from.Good luck.
 
Thanks for getting back. Mine is a freshwater (wisconsin boat) that i resently purchaced with 462 hrs. It is very hard to see where the leak is coming from. I fully suspect the tank is no good and am going to install a 20 gal. Tank in the port side to do for the summer. I think the tank can be removed threw the bulkhead into the engine room, but this will be next winters project. I would like to keep intouch to see how you made out and would like to talk to some other 39' sedan sport fish owners for there help. Thanks again. Kajess iv
 
I was lucky for now, press checked @4psi with no drop in press. It must have been a fitting. There was teflon tape on a fitting that accepted a compression fitting,thats a no no.It tightens up before the compression ball is seated. Hope you make out alright, dosen't sound like a fun job.
 
I have an 1985 39' Sport Fisherman... The previous owner had issues with the fresh water tank leaking as well. He cut an access hole in the top of the tank and sealed it from the inside.

So far, so good.

I'm in the process of getting a remanufactured long block installed for the port engine. Had around 1700 hrs on the old one and it finally went out. Starboard only has around 300 on a long block. Hope to have it back on the water this weekend.
 
I just replaced the water tank on my 39 sedan sportfish. a big job, had to remove the galley floor, removed the tank by cutting it up with a sawsall, you would not beleave the crap and the smell inside the tank.had a new tank manufacture at Matheson in tampa and I made it 6" shorter which now slips right in, also added a drain plug. while I had it out I replaced the fridge with a new Norcold. this is a big job but worth it. had a professional refinish the galley floor. Kajess IV
 
I just tore my tank out. I have an aluminum welder/fabricator who is going to weld a new skin over my old tank, The bottom is crap, but the sides and top are in excellent shape. He is going to brake bend the bottom and sides out of one piece and fill in both ends with 2 other pieces, then weld the top edge of the new skin to the existing tank. When I re-install the tank, I will lay down some starboard strips every 18" over the length of the 72" tank. I am now just searching the practicality of painting the exterior of the tank with some protective coating appropriate for this situation.

~Ken
 
One of the big "pluses" that figured into the decision to buy was that ALL of the tankage was new. New 100 gallon polyethelene water tank (no more aluminum!) and better yet- two new, epoxy coated 150 gallon fuel tanks. Good for another twenty years!
 
tobnpr said:
One of the big "pluses" that figured into the decision to buy was that ALL of the tankage was new. New 100 gallon polyethelene water tank (no more aluminum!) and better yet- two new, epoxy coated 150 gallon fuel tanks. Good for another twenty years!
Click to expand...

My aluminum tank measures 11" H. x 30" W. x 72" L. and is 100 gallons. Is your plastic tank the same size Mike? I'm still awaiting a price from my welder and I have not 100% commited to going that way. I would like to know where I can source out a plastic tank and what the pricing would be.

~Ken
 
electricaldoctor said:
I just tore my tank out. I have an aluminum welder/fabricator who is going to weld a new skin over my old tank, The bottom is crap, but the sides and top are in excellent shape. He is going to brake bend the bottom and sides out of one piece and fill in both ends with 2 other pieces, then weld the top edge of the new skin to the existing tank. When I re-install the tank, I will lay down some starboard strips every 18" over the length of the 72" tank. I am now just searching the practicality of painting the exterior of the tank with some protective coating appropriate for this situation.

~Ken
Click to expand...

Ken, did you check the compartment underneath the tank?? If the tank was leaking you should find water in there....
 
Pietro said:
Ken, did you check the compartment underneath the tank?? If the tank was leaking you should find water in there....
Click to expand...

Hi Pietro,

I am going back to the boat this morning with a 4" hole saw & a pump. I will let you know what I find. I do expect that it will be full of water down there and I am looking forward to drying out that area.

~Ken
 
Ken,

I'll take a look and see if I can find a manuf on the tank somewhere. Unfortunately, the only visible access now that the floor panel has been screwed back down is the section with the fittings under the steps...will let you know.

Mike
 
electricaldoctor said:
Hi Pietro,

I am going back to the boat this morning with a 4" hole saw & a pump. I will let you know what I find. I do expect that it will be full of water down there and I am looking forward to drying out that area.

~Ken
Click to expand...
How did it work out after you cut the hole? Do you have any pictures?
 
That was the beginning of the end----do a search for his rebuild. probably the nicest 390 in the country.
 
Can I just leave the old tank and put another in alternative location?
Hate to cut everything up.
 
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