Custom Belly Tank

[croaker stroker]

That's where I mounted mine. The filter can will rust around the top edge, so I smear grease around it.

Another idea I thought I might try is to paint that edge with something....or maybe smear 5200 and let it dry before screwing it on. ??

[FishAddict]

Looking good!!  The 21.5" will be plenty to walk through.  With the notch you had built in your tank could you have moved the bait tank any farther forward?  Another 6 inches or so?

Also can you show what you do for the tank mounting plates?  Will it be removable?

[martin3]

That's where I mounted mine. The filter can will rust around the top edge, so I smear grease around it.

Another idea I thought I might try is to paint that edge with something....or maybe smear 5200 and let it dry before screwing it on. ??

Hey Croaker,

How often do you change your filter??
I change mine out about every 40 hrs. (or twice per year regardless of hours.)
If I leave them on for the full year,  I see rust.

Brushable Plastic dip would work well to coat the top edge of the filter.
lay a tape line to get a nice clean edge,  I might have to try that for fun!

[martin3]

Looking good!!  The 21.5" will be plenty to walk through.  With the notch you had built in your tank could you have moved the bait tank any farther forward?  Another 6 inches or so?

[b]I could have moved the tank about another 1.5" forward by using smaller deck plate for the hoses.
I used 4" deck plate that I had laying around. It sits exactly where I planned. The hoses come up at the forward end of the
16" fuel tank notch.  Where the tank is now,   the passage is consistent all around.
[/b]


Also can you show what you do for the tank mounting plates?  Will it be removable?

Removable.....No. It's going to be mounted permanently.

I cut <2> 5/8 marine ply pieces into oval deck plate and laminated together with West System Epoxy.
Once dried,   I added 2 additional coats to encapsulate in Epoxy.

The Plate will be mounted to center hatch with 4 SS carriage bolts and 4 SS lag screws to deck.
The tank will drop right over the plate and attached with <10> SS screws and finishing washers.
I will add some pics tomorrow of the mount.

[croaker stroker]

I change it every year.


Racor makes a vacuum guage that mounts to the filter housing.

Good idea on the plastic dip.

[martin3]

Here are a couple photos of my Bait Tank Mounting Plate.
This thing is solid.


After I made the cut outs.....I realized it's the "Millenium Falcon".

[martin3]

I got the tank mounting plate installed today.
<6> 3/8 HEX bolts secure the plate to the rear deck lid.

Here are some more photos.

[martin3]

Space around the tank is really good.

I will screw in the tank tomorrow with <12> #10 SS screws and finish washers.

[disposable]

Thanks for showing me your project today, Martin!

[martin3]

Hey Jose,


It was good meeting you today.
I was glad to show you my progress on the project.

[martin3]

Bait tank installation is done.
Oh yeah!

My wife surprised me with another custom sticker......she actually is onboard with this project now.
Wonders never cease.

[FishAddict]

Fantastic!  Could you have pushed the bait tank another 6 inches forward with the custom fuel tank notch?  My 21 appears to have more deck space and it would be nice to have the tank just a little farther forward with a bigger dance floor.  It looks like perfect placement on your boat.  Did you put a bead of silicone or 4200 around the base of the tank to keep water and fish blood/guts from getting trapped?

[martin3]

Fantastic!  Could you have pushed the bait tank another 6 inches forward with the custom fuel tank notch?  My 21 appears to have more deck space and it would be nice to have the tank just a little farther forward with a bigger dance floor.  It looks like perfect placement on your boat.  Did you put a bead of silicone or 4200 around the base of the tank to keep water and fish blood/guts from getting trapped?

No,   the placement is exactly where I planned for.   It can't go any further forward.
I'm happy with the passage between motor well and tank.
If any more forward,   I would have to ditch the companion seat.

As far as caulking the lower edge of tank,   not yet.
The mounting plate and screws are all caulked in.
I will be caulking in the hatches and low edge of the tank soon.
I want to do 1 test run of the tank before gluing everything in.

[Tj805]

Looks great !
Keep up the good work.