Below Deck gas tank install ?

[DALLEN7]

Here is what I am thinking. in the pictures I do not want to repeat the mess from
the original build. so I had a couple of ideas regarding my gas tank.
in option #1 I would get some brackets welded along the length of the tank to
be able to go over the stringers in which I could bolt through suspending the tank above the hull. option #2 is basically the same thing but using the bulkheads? i would keep the bulkheads shorter than the stringers so the fill neck would not be above the stringer . thus not interfering with the deck. i could also bolt through on these thus suspending the tank above the hull letting water pass under and not corroding the tank. please tell me what you think as i am getting close to install in a couple of weeks.


sorry drawing is to small will post larger one. i have tried to draw a larger pic. but paint is being really a pita right now. hopefully you can get the jist of what i am getting at from my text.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Below Deck gas tank install ?

I get what your saying about the brackets.....but I think thats a lot of weight to suspend from your stringers or bulks.... My tank is 44 gallons and a 7.2lbs per gallon for fuel 316 lbs plus the weight of the tank... Some sort of rubber strips about 3/4" thick glued to the bottom of the tank will allow water to pass under and air to circulate.... That is how I did mine.

You could always use a plastic tank too just my .02

 

[DALLEN7]

Re: Below Deck gas tank install ?

thanks rick i read somewhere not to use rubber because of the carbon content.
it causes a reaction of some sort. i thought i could double the thickness of the
bulkhead for support and possibly put a plastic piece or fuel gasket material
for auto use underneath. I do not have allot of clearance for my fill neck
so the bulkheads will have to be shorter than the stringers by a little bit.
thank you for the feedback.

 

[rico1391]

Re: Below Deck gas tank install ?

I heard the same thing about rubber, and I know fuel will degrade it. What I used for my tank was my old poly cutting board. I just cut it into two inch strips and then glued it to the bottom of the tank with solvent resistant glue.

 

[DALLEN7]

Re: Below Deck gas tank install ?

thanks rico I figure my tank is only a 20 ga. so 160 lbs. full.
so I am thinking I will get some brackets welded on and suspend it from the bulkhead that
will be doubled up and I will run a bolt through the bulkheads to support the tank and
not just screws this way it will be supported and won't rip out (screws only)
and the tank will be suspended above the hull.