I cut mine out... no leaks.
I think there is another thing to think about.
Why wait? When problems start...its a lot of work then including miserable fuel cleaning/smell and not on your schedule.
Also...I figured out my cruising grounds and fuel requirements which sealed the deal.
I dropped down to a poly 56 gallon tank on each side. This allowed me to get EVERYTHING off the engine room decks so I have 2.5 feet working space on both sides of genset and engine...plus 3 feet in front of the genset. I also gained enough storage space after moving equipment to store tools, consumables, supplies, etc well out of the way.
It also allows much better airflow and lighting throughout.
Over 100 gallons of useable fuel (the poly tanks allow me to fill to the brim and use to the last little bit because I can see into them) still gives me 50 hrs steaming at my cruise speed. Around 300 NM range. Several times I was able to go from S. Jersey to Norfolk without refueling...but many times I short stop to get better fuel pricing or I am going into a marina to visit someplace or pumpout or water/food/etc....
Sure...not for every boat or owner...but worth considering. It worked for me with a single...not sure how it might help a boat with twins...but think of the maintenance improvement if you could get rid of tanks outboard of your engines?
Some people argue that I decreased the value of the boat....I tell them I will hopefully just sell to a smart, shorter distance cruiser who knows the value of the mod.