On a Dutch sailors forum some people have experienced diesel bug problems, even some that always used GTL instead of normal diesel. Most fuel tanks could only be cleaned after making a manhole in the top of their tank. I have (not yet) experienced any such problem. But if it occurs … it won’t be easy to clean the fuel tank of a 325/335. It is tucked far away and has no manhole.

Has anyone been forced to undertake a thorough fuel tank cleaning?

Yes, afraid so, I had a nasty case of bug last winter. You're right, it is very inaccessible, but a specialist tank cleaning chap came and cut an inspection hatch in the side of the tank. They drained the fuel first of course, cleaned it and the tank and put it all back together. Not cheap, but worth it for the state of mind.

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Not state of mind, peace of mind. Which I suppose is a sort of state of mind.

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Thank you Peter.

I hope to postpone such a costly action. I saw a picture of a Parker 335 (though I think it is a 325) for sale (and sold) in St Lucia that shows a second hatch on the port side in the rear cabin. I guess it gives access to the fuel tank.

I’m amazed by the differences between all 325’s and 335’s.

Hello Dirk, sadly Peter is right. The starboard cover is for storage (under the seats), the port side giver access to beneath the cockpit sole. The tank is not very accessible, and certainly on Nosey there is no access port. The reason Peter had a hole cut on the side (not intuitive) is because the top of the fuel tank is tight against the cockpit sole.

It's even possible that the tank was installed before the deck was fitted. Certainly on Nosey, because it was having a new engine, and it does, as Peter says, make for peace of mind, I had the tank removed and cleaned. See before and after pictures. (The plastic pipe in the picture was in the tank - it obviously fell in, like the other bits and pieces). It did mean some joinery and glass work around the hatch in your picture to get the tank in and out. Just 5mm difference!

I've always known that in a good head sea the content of my tank could get stirred up and block the filters and it was not a nice feeling - it did happen to a friend of mine, luckily it didn't make for any drama.

Good Sailing,

John

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Thank you John! I wonder how the tank could be removed if needed when no hatch to the tank area is present? I don’t think it can pass through the port lazarette hatch. I agree the tank was probably installed before the deck was placed. I think it must be possible to make a access port on the top of the tank of Surprise. See photos. Was there less space on Nosey between the top of the tank and the bottom of the cockpit sole?

So far I hope my tank is (relatively) free of debris as we always tank GTL and have water absorbing (ordinary) tampons in a fuel resistant net hose lying on the bottom of the tank. I replace the tampon when swollen because of water absorbed.

Another thought is to have a small plastic (day) tank on top of the steel tank that can be switched to in case of clogging in the main tank. Of course after changing the fuel filter.