Tank upgrade question

[Stuart Cooperrider]

Just got off the phone with Richard Kidd regarding his B-31 Fiberglass tanks. He is currently only making the 222 gal. My 71 has the smaller tank. How much extra effort is needed to fit the larger tank in the boat?
Has anyone made this kind of switch? Kidd believes the dimensions are the same but for the length which would make me believe it would be a fairly easy adaptation. Any thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone happens to know he dimensions of the smaller tank, please pass them along.
Thanks in advance.
-Stu

[CaptPatrick]

Stu,

The main difference is the height of the tanks. The older 173 gal tank is about a 2" - 3" lower profile than the 223. Worst case scenerio is you'd need to build up the deck supports so that you'd have a proper clearance over the tank & trim the tops of the side/transom panels. There would also be an adjustment necessary of the height of the engine boxes & possibly the step down.

By '71 Bertram was already moving towards a larger tank and your deck may already have enough clearance without further modifications.

All in all, it shouldn't be too big of a project to make those adjustments...

Br,

Patrick