Sailing SV Delosvideo
I Soooo Underestimated This Project 🙈 (Custom Aluminum Catamaran Build Pt. 19)
10 January 2025 · 22 min · 301K views
What this video covers
Building a custom aluminum catamaran requires precise fuel tank sealing to prevent leaks and contamination. The project involves two 430-liter tanks integrated into the hull, providing an estimated 1,250-nautical-mile range.1:42 Initial attempts to seal the tank lids using T-Dits compressible adhesive strips failed because the material created gaps at the corners, which were confirmed by a 3-psi compressed air and soapy water leak test.17:11 Subsequent efforts to use neoprene gaskets proved unsuitable due to poor chemical resistance to diesel fuel.18:01 The final solution involves using nitrile rubber gaskets, which offer superior resistance to petroleum products, paired with stainless steel bolts and Loctite 567 thread sealant to mitigate galvanic corrosion between the stainless hardware and aluminum tank structure.18:39 The design also incorporates blind-tapped holes to further reduce potential leak paths.10:32 Iterative testing and material research are essential when adapting custom tank designs to ensure long-term fuel system integrity.
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