Is the advert right in saying it only has 150 gallons of fuel?
Sort of. It actually has 300 gallons capacity split between two tanks. One of them developed a pinhole leak two owners ago, and rather than fix it they just quit using it. So they listed only the one usable tank in the advert.
Both the engine surveyor and the hull surveyor are in agreement that if I put replace the bigger tank with two smaller ones, the only thing that I'll have to temporarily remove is the muffler, and it's sitting on a platform in the open. Depending on how large of tanks I get, and their configuration, the exhaust elbow might have to come off to get them in. The current working tank can be removed and replaced without moving anything.
I cut a stainless tank out of one my sailboats, so I'm aware of the time and effort required. My goal is to end up with about the same fuel capacity, and reconfigure to add a 40 gallon or so "day tank" that the engine will draw from, which will be fed from either of the saddle tanks. Ideally, I'd like to be able to go from here to San Francisco without refuelling. It's just over 350 miles if I go out a bit, so figure about 50-60 hours. I can almost make that now, so even if I end up 50 gallons less, I still should be fine. I have a bunch of jerry jugs on the sailboat, but I'd rather not resort to that.
My wife has laid down the law that I can't do any projects that will take the boat out of service until she's had a few island trips. Having watched her live through the last two refits (in a generous sense of the word) I understand her frustration. So my plan is to put that project off till spring. I still have to finish the cosmetic fixes on my sailboat, and those are waiting on my finishing the bathroom remodel at the house (almost done) so I have plenty to occupy my time.
We're going to go spend the night on the boat tonight for the first time, and we're going to take her up to Ventura next weekend for the regatta. I was planning on sneaking out for an overnighter during this amazing weather window, but ended up getting hired into a 120 hour shift starting Monday. At least I'll get to sleep in and walk to work tomorrow morning, the boat sits right behind the salt mine.