REMOVING DIESEL FROM THE FUEL TANK

Since I will be putting in a new propulsion system and will no longer need to use diesel fuel. I needed to remove the remaining fuel in the on board tank. But, how to remove the fuel? I looked around the boat and found my Topsider Oil Changer. I usually used it to change the oil in the engine. It works by a vacuum principle. In order to make it work in removing the fuel I would need to use an adapter. The photo below shows the fuel tanks normal configuration.


This shows the fuel line connected to the fuel shut off valve. First I remove the fuel line and shutoff valve. I next screw in an adapter to which I attached the hose that goes to the Topsider container as shown in the photo below:

Another advantage of using the Topsider to empty the fuel tank is the clear hose allows you to check the condition the fuel as it is removed from the fuel tank. Once you have connected the Topsider hose it is just matter pumping the fuel into the Topsider container .

It holds about two gallons so you may need to transfer to another container a few times to empty the fuel tank. But, it is relatively easy and clean way to empty the tank. Unfortunately, my tank was 3/4 full so I had to pump out about twenty gallons. But, the good news is I gave it to a lobster man who was working on his boat. With diesel fuel prices at $3.50 a gallon he really appreciated it. Plus I did not have to lug the fuel it to a recycling center. I am also hoping that he might drop off a lobster or two this summer when I am on board. I call that a win win situation.

                                                                

A vacation escape?

Well after finishing up with getting the engine out of the boat my girlfriend had arranged a vacation for us. We would be chartering a 47 foot Lagoon catamaran out of Belize City. After a summer on spent on the mooring and a November in the boatyard I was ready for some warm water sailing. As we got settled into our cabin I noticed this hatch. It is not for scenic viewing it is an escape hatch in case the boat flips over. Watch the video and you can almost feel the rage of the sea trying to get into the cabin and you will understand why I like monohulls.

Westerbeke engine control panel

Removing a Westerbeke diesel engine

Before beginning to remove the engine I will need to make room. The table needs to be removed and all the cushions removed in what could turn out to be a messy job in removing the engine.


Here is the Westerbeke 27 as it sits in what one mechanic called the tunnel. This is actually the rear of the engine which faces toward the bow of the boat. The V drive transmission is shown at the bottom of the photo. Not a lot of room to work in there so I will