Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

[randys]

I will replace the deck in my 16' 1995 Lund Rebel tiller steer. It has a 73" beam, and no bench seats, just a flat floor. While I have the deck off, I want to install an under deck (internal,) fuel tank. It would not have to be large, but at least 3 gallons. I want to mount it midship or forward. I understand that floatation foam will likely be removed to accomodate a tank, but I will try to adjust the volume of replacement foam in other parts of the boat.

Given the limited space between deck stringers, is there an off-the-shelf tank available? Has anyone installed a tank in this manner, or under the casting deck in the bow?

Moeller does not list an internal tank that small or shaped to fit the hull and stringers. I can't find anything on the Lund website or previous posts at Iboats. I understand that custom made aluminum tanks could be an option, but the cost is likely more than I want to spend, so I want plastic, and off the shelf.

Thanks!
Randy

 

[rspar]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

Definitely not an expert but what would be the difference between a below deck and above deck except the vent and fuel level sender?

 

[randys]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

Definitely not an expert but what would be the difference between a below deck and above deck except the vent and fuel level sender?

Less clutter. With the tank off of the deck, more room for other clutter, or for 15 year old son who is bored and wants to lay out for a nap. The "open floor plan" of this boat, sans bench or permanently mounted seats, is to provide more room. We use camp chairs, and move 'em around as we need. Make fishing more enjoyable, without going to a heavier boat. Six gallon above deck fuel tank in addition to coolers, tackle boxes, anchors, net, dry clothes, labradors, batteries, etc., make for too much clutter.

Below deck fuel tank would be out of the way. 3-4 gallons would usually be enough, and spare 6 gallon above deck tanks could cover any contingency.

Maybe rebuild the bow compartment to hold two 12v batteries is next. Custom, side mounted ice chest after that, then side mounted tackle boxes...

 

[rspar]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

Maybe I just don't know but is there some rule that says you can't use the cheap above tank for what you plan on doing? You'd have to provide ventilation but other than that???

 

[randys]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

Maybe I just don't know but is there some rule that says you can't use the cheap above tank for what you plan on doing? You'd have to provide ventilation but other than that???

Coast guard rule that ventilation be proper. Common sense rule says don't screw up the ventilation. I am willing to bubba the deck and move foam around, but not bubba a proper below deck ventilation system onto/into a portable fuel tank. (I'd hate to see my son do the "bottle rocket" as the fuel ignites under the casting deck.) Off the self is what I am looking for.

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[ziemann]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

I don't think you are going to find what you are looking for. I have seen snowmobile fuel tanks before that have a narrow profile but that is going to be tough still to find one that fits. Do a search on on snowmobile gas tanks. Maybe try:

http://www.justgastanks.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=289

If you give them the dimensions that you are looking for, they may be able to help. Otherwise maybe try:

http://www.alssnowmobile.com/PRODUCTPARTS.ASPX?pn_deptid=315

I understand what you are trying to accomplish and you might be successful- although you may have to have a custom one made (yeah, I know you don't want to spend the $$).

Good luck!

 

[rspar]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

I just replaced a permanent tank and I don't recall seeing any that small. Sounds like custom or make more room for a 12 gallon.

 

[randys]

Re: Below deck tank for Lund Rebel 16', 73" beam?

An update.

3 gallons would not be enough with a 30-40hp 2-stroke motor, 450lb dry-weight boat, 600# passengers and gear. 6 to 8 gallons would be best. 12 might work under casting deck.

Inca Molded Products has two 8 gallon below-deck tanks that are close. The tanks are identical, except for position of fuel-fill ?turret?. I called, they do not sell retail. However, Tracker and Searay use the F806 and F804 tanks, respectively. Inca has no idea which Tracker or Searay boats use the tanks. Tracker could not be contacted last month, Sept 2010, I assume because they are moving locations. Searay does not have customer service, only resellers. My local reseller was no help; too busy [not] selling $100K Searay boats. Since early September, Inca has removed links to PDFs of their tank dimensions.

The Inca tanks would not fit lower main deck due to ?turret? being too high. My stringers have a max of 6" high. I did not want to tear into the casting deck, and have not taken measurements of area underneath.

Extending casting deck aft by 16?, hinging the extension to cover an above deck tank with ?sump? or hole added to the forward edge of main deck would work, too. (Tank resting on supports on hull.) Moeller ?economy? tanks (13.75? wide) would fit between last main deck stringer and first casting deck stringer. With hinged cover, I could remove tanks to fill. With permanent cover, several Moeller OEM or Inca below-deck tanks would function. Casting deck is a bit small, anyway. Too much work.

Several local custom tank builders, welded aluminum, $200 "let's talk about it" starting price.