Access port to clean fuel tank

18 months ago I bought a 1993 Island Packet 44.
I've discovered that the fuel tank is very dirty. On several occasions my engine has failed because of plugging of the intake line from the tank. With the location of the tanks access hole, I fear that conventional fuel polishing will not get all the gunk out. Getting around the baffles of this 100 gal. tank, from the current access point, seems to be almost impossible.

So I'm wondering if creating another 6" access port to the top of the tank is wise move. Of course, it would to be done by creating a hatch in the cabin floor. I would appreciate any advice from the IPYOA members

Thand you,
John

Hi John,

I would use a recommended service to clean the tank.
The service should include cleaning the dirty fuel.
I know it has worked for many very dirty tanks.

good luck,
Scott

I would go for it. I am going to do the same thing on my 31

I'll use a six inch screw port.

Hello. About to buy 1994 IP44. How did you solve the fuel tank access issue? Want to polish as soon as we buy boat. Maybe compare other notes as well.
How much actual clothing storage do you have?
We are going to live aboard.
Thanks Dave Wilbar

dwilber, I just had my fuel cleaned and polished by a commercial firm. They used the port on top of the fuel tank, where the fuel gauge is located. The extracted 8 or 9 gallons from the bottom of the tank using a hard plastic "wand" that sucked all the muck out. That went to waste. Then they pumped a total of 100 gallons through 3 separate filters, returning it to the tank through the filler port on deck. For my boat, that's close to 4 trips through the filters for the whole tank. They also added extra chemicals to bring the fuel back to "fresh" - since it was mostly a couple of years old. Well worth the $250, IMHO - just to get the muck out of the tank.

Thanks!