Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

I have a 98 Jubilee that the fiberglass hatch that covers the fuel tank it feels weak and spongy. I would like to reinforce it before it cracks or breaks. I was thinking of just adding in a support under it with some pressure treated wood but wanted to know if anyone else has found a good fix for this or if the flex is supposed to be there. I have removed it and it looks like it has two rails that run the length of it but the flex is in-between them?

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

If you can, post a picture of the hatch as presently installed and a picture of the bottom side of the hatch. Is the hatch just a piece of treated plywood with a layer of resin on the top and bottom with a carpet covering or is the interior floor finished in gelcoat?
Happy Boating
Dan

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

I will try and get some pictures, but it is just fiberglass panel that is over the gas tank. It is fastened with screws and has a textured finish. It extend under the rear seat and has an inspection cover (round) above the fuel sending unit. It is not covered in carpet on my model and it does not have any wood visible but it may have two rails that are covered in fiberglass.

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

This is not my boat but shows the same hatch in the center with the table mount in it.

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

I looked at some pictures of Jubilee's and it shows that you have a gelcoat interior floor. Without seeing a picture of the bottom of the cover I can only guess at how it is constructed. It has a core material between the top gel coat finish and the bottom which is probably rough finished fiberglass mat. The core material should be treated plywood. If you remove the hatch, flip it over and lay it on a hard flat surface does the core material feel spongy. Just trying to define spongy which would be core related from flexing which may simply need some reinforcement. You need to measure how much clearance you have between the top of the tank and the bottom of the cover before you try to reinforce anything. If the core is good and you have the clearance then you may simply be able to add braces or an additional layer of treated ply to the bottom of the cover. Either way you decide to address it the reinforcement should be glued on with resin and screwed into place. You would have to bond it, screws alone wont work. I am assuming that the cover is properly support around the edges. If the core is bad, you will have to cut out the old core and replace it by bonding new core material to the underside of the cover and fiber glassing it over. Make sure you use proper length screws, you dont want one coming up through you gelcoat.
Hope this help
Happy Boating
Dan

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

Thanks will give it a shot

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

I appreciate the advice and I dug into it last week. Sure enough the whole piece was soft. Pried it apart sanded all down smooth and rebuilt the whole support structure under the gel coat with resin and treated plywood, more resin, and a little fiberglass mesh with sum 1x1 for added support oh and more resin. This should last for several years. I am just glad I caught it before the panel cracked. I should have taken pictures but my hands were covered in resin.

Brian
RMBIGDOG
:D

Re: Fuel tank inspection hatch cover feels spongy
 

Just remember if u ever have to use resin again, a box of Nitrile Gloves works wonders :wink_thumbup:

Happy Boating
Dan