G. PLUMBING, TANKS
WESTSAIL 32 FUEL TANKS
Most of the Westsail 32's have steel fuel tanks installed, and after 15 to 20 years they start to
leak due to rusting at the seams. If yours are starting to leak, or if you decide you want to install
an additional tank, we have aluminum fuel tanks available as a replacement. Some of the boats
did have aluminum tanks, and as long as you can prevent electrolysis of the aluminum, this type
of tank, used with diesel fuel, should last the lifetime of the boat.
WESTSAIL 32 FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE
A procedure written to be able to remove the fuel tanks without removing the engine.
W-42 AND W-43 TANK REPLACEMENT
The tanks are a problem because of their inaccessibility under the cabin sole. After all of these
years, it is not unusual to have a steel tank rust through, or an aluminum one corrode to the point
it develops a leak. Replacing the tanks is no easy matter on the boats, and the most practical
approach is to isolate off a leaking tank and not use it, until such time as you are preparing for a
long trip, or when enough tanks are not usable so as to restrict use of the boat. A procedure is
written up to be able to remove and replace the tanks with a minimum of reworking of the interior
furniture.
ALUMINUM TANK ELECTROLYSIS
Quite often, builders will connect the fuel and water tanks together with a grounding wire, and
use them as part of the ground plane system to aid the high seas radio antenna. The
disadvantage to doing this with aluminum tanks is the distinct possibility of an electrical current
causing electrolysis of the aluminum, and the corrosion failure of the welds or corners of the
aluminum tanks. Our manufacturer of tanks absolutely discourages any electrical connections
on aluminum tanks because of the increased possibility of electrolysis action destroying the
aluminum.
POLYETHYLENE HOLDING TANK
A "V" shaped polyethylene holding tank is available to install on the centerline under the
forward berth on any of the boats. This fits in well, and a plywood top can be fitted over it to
utilize the balance of the storage compartment.
An 18 gallon polyethylene tank is also available to fit under the port side of the forward berth of
the Westsail 32, which was a location many of the W-32's had a holding tank. This uses space
that is usually not very accessible for any other purpose, and is close to the head outlet, utilizing
very short hose runs.
POLYETHYLENE WATER TANK FOR WESTSAIL 32
A polyethylene water tank for the Westsail 32 is available, the exact same size as the original
stainless steel tank located under the cabin sole. It is rotationally molded and made of a heavy
thickness of plastic. The tank walls are over 1/4" thick, and the tank weighs about 35 pounds. It
should last forever.
SEACOCKS AND REPLACEMENT CONES
The seacocks on most of the Westsail boats are made by Groco, and they have a rubber cone
in them that can be replaced if necessary. To operate these seacocks, it is necessary to loosen
the tee handle a turn or two before rotating the seacock handle itself. A slight amount of water
will drip while the tee handle is loose. After the seacock handle is turned, tighten up the tee
handle again to seal the rubber cone. These rubber cones should be greased at every haulout to
keep them working smoothly. We stock two sizes of replacement rubber cones, complete with
the handle molded to it, as well as new seacocks.
WESTSAIL SERVICE MANUAL TOPICS
[Back To Home Port]