Newbie with excessive water in the bilge

[91Sprint286]

Hey guys, I'm new to the group and have only had this boat about two years. I've tried to lay every possible way to find access to the bilge pump and bottom side of live well to look for issues, but I have been unsuccessful. After about three-four hours on the lake and running bilge, I'm still letting out approx 5 gal of water - haven't measured exactly but it flows solid for 20-30sec.

Any ideas? Is it really made that the gas tank can't be removed to get in there? The dimension is about 24"X23" so no way it's coming out of the 17" opening.

Thanks,
Vince

[MJK]

The guy I bought my 92 286 from said he had to trim some of the lip off to get the gas tank out. He took it out to redo the livewell/pumpout system. He trimmed just a little longer than the tank. It doesn't show with the lid down. It looks like he might have tilted the tank to get it out.

[TNFLYINGRIZZLY]

I have not had the need to remove my tank as of yet.... but I know the day is coming! I am considering flushing it real good with water and then putting an HVAC vacuum pump on it to see if I can collapse it. If this works I will not be putting the same tank back in. I have looked into several replacement options and even a few custom tank fabricators. I have discussed this issue with member TRoscoe before. He has the same boat as we do and has had his tank out. He did have to cut the lip under the back deck lid. He also said it was nothing he ever wanted to do again.

[91Sprint286]

Yeah, I can imagine after looking it over the other night. My first goal is to get the live well cracks sealed up well, then to make sure the bumper railing is well sealed on the under side in case water is seeping underneath and between the hull and cap. So, I have a few options to pursue before tackling the tank. Spoke to the previous owner last night who said he managed to get it out once to update the bilge pump and aerator, but it was a beast to deal with. Keep me posted if you find a custom option that makes life in teh future simpler when working on those pumps and hoses underneath. He also noted the lip had been cut at some point in the past to create extra room...still pretty tight though.