The tanks I had built were manufactured by VHBY by a certified USCG welder
that pressure tested the tanks.

As far as surveyors go, I do not have much respect for what I have seen so
far. Most of these guys are "in the business" and they know how to pass a
boat so it will sell but not get them in trouble. The best survey a Baba
owner could have is by another Baba owner that has done most of his own work
or at least been present when work was performed.

 

After designing the tanks we built two 3D mock ups to lower into the bilge
to make sure we could load the tanks and that they would fit as planned. I
strongly recommend doing this. Aluminum tanks are manufactured in the marine
industry and are reasonable to purchase. You need to be sure of the design
and know exactly where to put the fill, supply, return, and inspection plate
relative the deck hatches.

 

Dave

 

 

  _____

From: owner-baba-l@ballreich.net [mailto:owner-baba-l@ballreich.net] On
Behalf Of Rob S
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:55 AM
To: baba-l@ballreich.net
Subject: RE: [Baba-L] Baba 35 fuel tank

 

Dave,

I was worried about this too. When I replaced my tanks I spent a significant
amount of time researching CFR's, Coast Guard requirements, ABS, and other
standards. Surprisingly unless you are an inspected vessel none of these
requlations apply. I called our regular surveyor to ask what regs I should
worry about, he said none applied. Even ABYC is hard to pin down on regs for
tanks and does not require stringent testing or certification of tanks.

For an inspected vessel fuel tanks must pass a USCG test outlined in one of
the CFR's - its a pressure test using air. For us (rec boats) there is no
requirement. We were surveyed immediately following the installation of the
5 aluminum tanks and the surveyor was uninterested in the orgination of the
tanks, even when asked. Did you actually get a test certificate for your
tanks? I didn't, figured it would only make an expensive job cost even more.

IMHO, a homemade fiberglass tank would pass a survey unless it had obvious
major defects. Even if you were going to have your boat inspected for
charter of more than 6 people (more than allowed with OUPV) the tank would
merely have to pass a pressure test.

Rob
S/V Yohelah

dave@mybajaspot.com wrote:

...
Before considering fiberglass self fabrication, please check with a
surveyor, I have my doubts he will pass this type of fabrication. Tanks
should be manufactured by a USCG certified manufacturer.

/hypermail/baba-l/faq.html

 

  _____

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Received on Wed Nov 16 16:50:56 2005