Where are my fuel inspection plates?

[jlundbe]

I have a 1974 Maple Leaf 48 and I would like to inspect the fuel tanks because I suspect the 'diesel bug'. I have seen the inspection plate location on a Maple Leaf 42 but I'm not sure the 48's plates will be in the same location.

I could just tear up the sole but it's very nice looking teak parquet so I want to minimize the damage.

Does anybody know where these inspection plates are?

[NYSail]

Just find where the tank is and explore....... it’s attached to the tank so I would think it’s findable?

Happy exploring!
Greg

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard jlundbe! Sorry I can't help you out on the inspection plate location though.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, jlundbe.

[jlundbe]

NYsail,
I know where the tanks are but they are under the sole and therefore not visible. Anyway thanks for the humerous reply.

[NYSail]

Originally Posted by jlundbe

NYsail,
I know where the tanks are but they are under the sole and therefore not visible. Anyway thanks for the humerous reply.

Wasn't trying to be an unfriendly guy.... just seems that after a while of looking they would be found. Unless they are sealed under the sole, then its a cut job for sure. Do you have one of those camera snakes?? I find them very handy when trying to find things on the boat that are behind walls....

Good Luck

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by jlundbe

NYsail,
I know where the tanks are but they are under the sole and therefore not visible. Anyway thanks for the humerous reply.

It would strange that there is no access. Your sole doesnt have hatches? Tanks may not even have inspection openings in that case. But you are going to have to find a way to look under there with a flashlight. If you really have no under sole access, then I would suggest making some. Careful sawing and wood trimming of the opening to create hatches is very doable.

[Pete7]

"teak parquet" sounds like a previous owner did a refit and thought he wouldn't need access, ever again. He was right, he didn't, but I suspect Jl does.

Pete

[jlundbe]

Pete7,
I think you are right about the previous owner replacing the sole and not leaving access to the inspection plates.

NYsail I ordered a camera snake but I'm in Mexico so I don't know when it will arrive.

I'm also not sure of the procedure once I have access to the tank interior.

Thanks for your thoughts

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by jlundbe

Pete7,
I think you are right about the previous owner replacing the sole and not leaving access to the inspection plates.

NYsail I ordered a camera snake but I'm in Mexico so I don't know when it will arrive.

I'm also not sure of the procedure once I have access to the tank interior.

Thanks for your thoughts

maybe you will be able to see the old hatches under there. You likely need a tank cleaning and fuel polishing, it's amazing how much gunk they get out of a tank. but they need access...

[Pete7]

If they have glued it down with sikaflex then its a forlorn hope

But if the camera gives the approximate area or at least shows they exist then you might just remove a few blocks. Then you are likely to find plywood under neath, since that floor will need to sit on something.

There may not be any inspection plates.

I don't see this ending well without a shed load of work.

Pete

[Cheechako]

If you are lucky maybe you can do this? Wood worker at all? I was on an old Spencer 35 that someone had put parquet down on, it was pretty loose and came up readily.. maybe check the adhesion at some edge that isn't very exposed.