Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

[rayjay]

I bought this bass boat project and the one thing really holding me back is finding a gas tank to fit the available space and also fit down the battery access hatch. The tempo 12 gallon "cube" is probably just a little too tall at 13" to the top of the fuel fill hose fitting.<br /><br />Moeller has some different sizes but their website is a joke. I need something about 10 gallons. Any ideas ?<br /><br />Second q. For the fuel line should I use a hose clamp on a hose barb fitting on the fuel tank or is the quick disconect ok for use below deck ?<br /><br />Thanks !

 

[Realgun]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

As far as I know you should use a barb. Some of those disconnects leak and the tank is not removable to clean it up properly.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

rayjay, You should use a "below decks" tank, that is grounded and vented thru the hull to the outside. They are available in many sizes, from several manufacturers. It these do not fit, either go with above deck tanks or a custom built-in.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

Any chance you could just repair the tank that is already in it?

 

[beniam]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

rayjay<br />Having played some with Tempo tanks, I found them fine for above deck. Under cover the heavy smell of fuel makes me think the red plastis lets vapors through. I would not use them under deck. You need a tank designed for a covered location. <br />I am changing to aluminum, although not cheap, it makes me fell a lot safer. Batavier

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

Tempo red plastic tanks are only meant for above-deck usage. Tempo does have a line of below-deck fuel tanks that are black in color and are made from cross-linked polyethylene unlike their red tank counterparts. Major advantages over aluminum tanks is that they are lighter and will not corrode and start leaking over time.

 

[rayjay]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

Winger, The boat came with a sun faded red [ white on the top ] above deck tank placed under the deck. I never saw the original tank. I am looking at the Moeller and Tempo underdeck tanks.<br /><br />Batavier, somewhere on the www I recently saw an alloy tank manu's site that had some good installation instructions using plastic strips to raise the tank above the mounting surface so that there is no water in contact with the tank for any period of time which is where the corrosion comes from.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

Use the right tank for the right application.Being the tank is in a closed comparment,you will need a below deck tank.VENT it out to the outside,side of the boat.Barb hose connect with TWO hose clamps.First one in line tighten it tight,the second one not as tight,Thats your backup for saftey!<br /><br />Now for some more info on saftey.99.9% bass boats have there tanks in close comparment,with 2 or more batterys in a close comparment.Now,lets say you left your boat in the water over night,have a battery charger hooked up to charge them batterys from a great day of fishing before.Next day,you jump in your boat and fire that bad boy up.Know what can happen?First off,you don't have bildge blowers aboard,know what them scoops are for with one facing forward and the other facing the other way and one has a hose connected to it and the other doesn't?When you run the boat down the road on the trailer and on water to blow out your bildge.Second thing,know those batterys that you been charging all night,they been putting H2 gas in the bildge,one spark from the starting battery BAM!Number three,know that fuel tank that is not vented out the side of the boat?Gas vapors are now in the bildge,gas vapors are heaver then air,they will not leave the boat with it just sitting there.Back with a battery or a short with a spark and BAM!<br />So,all ya'll boaters that leave a boat in the water over night,OPEN all deck hatches and close comparments and air out BEFORE starting the motor!

 

[rayjay]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

The tank will be vented externally. I have the tempo kit that comes with the filler, vent, hoses, SS clamps, ect.<br /><br />This boat does NOT have the fore and aft facing vents which I thought odd. Since my slip is covered I think I will leave the hatches open when charging the batts or maybe all the time the boat is not being used.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: Below Deck Fuel Tank Woes

Rayjay,you can buy some vent clams,and install them,cost around $30.00.When installing the port side,face it backwards,starboard one forward,add the hose to that one all the way to the bottom of the bildge,anchor it on the way down.