R27 OB fuel tank shifting?

[Bsmith]

2023 R27 OB LE, HIN FMLT2735I223.
The fuel tank appears to have shifted forward about a 1/2” based on seeing a gap between the tank and the bulkhead aft of the tank and seeing evidence of the fuel fill and fuel line hoses being shifted forward from their original cable tie fixations. I can provide a photo if it helps. My question: how is the fuel tank secured to the boat? It seems to me that any shifting in a fuel tank is a bad thing. If the tank cannot slide any further forward I can fit a block between the tank and the aft bulkhead which should prevent the tank from moving around. I haven’t found a way to access the forward part of the tank. Currently the tank is almost full. Your advice?

 

[Bsmith]

2023 R27 OB LE, HIN FMLT2735I223.
The fuel tank appears to have shifted forward about a 1/2” based on seeing a gap between the tank and the bulkhead aft of the tank and seeing evidence of the fuel fill and fuel line hoses being shifted forward from their original cable tie fixations. I can provide a photo if it helps. My question: how is the fuel tank secured to the boat? It seems to me that any shifting in a fuel tank is a bad thing. If the tank cannot slide any further forward I can fit a block between the tank and the aft bulkhead which should prevent the tank from moving around. I haven’t found a way to access the forward part of the tank. Currently the tank is almost full. Your advice?

I actually measured the gap at the aft end of the tank and it was about 1-5/8”, not a 1/2”.

 

[Jared Dunning]

Hello,


That's normal. The tank is encased between two bulkheads and has a rubber gasket underneath and around the sides to cushion it. Additionally, it is secured with angled brackets on top along the port and starboard sides (which are buried under the floor). The floor also runs from the port side of the boat to the starboard side.

There must be some room for the tank to expand, but with the gasket underneath and around the fuel tank, it would take significant force for it to move forward. There is no good access to the front of the tank, but there is a small access point to the top of the tank through the Q-berth. To reach it, remove the rat fur panels along the floor toward the center of the boat.