Fuel tank question?

[gss036]

I am going to NEED a new in hull fuel tank and was wanting some ideas on type of tank. I currently have a factory installed (1989) 115 gallon aluminum tank. I really don't need that big of a tank as I only use 20-25 gallons on a day of fishing and a lot of weight to carry around extra fuel. I was wondering whether to look for another aluminum tank or go to a Moller plastic tank. I was thinking about 60-65 gallon size.
All opinions welcome.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Fuel tank question?

My friend, go with a Moeller or Tempo Plastic tank, its more "safe"

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

What do you base that on?

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I've had a collection of both the plastic and the steel 6 gallon tanks. I like the ruggedness of the metal tanks because they are puncture resistant and they will not collapse if someone forgets to open the vent screw. However, the metal ones eventually show signs of corrosion (especially the steel ones). The plastic ones simply will not corrode. (And they're usually very economical.)

When I repowered a few years ago I got rid of the portable tanks and had a pair of custom made aluminum tanks built. (Two 12 gallon tanks, aluminum, fully tested, for a mere $840. ) If I had it all to do over again, I would probably go with 316 Stainless Steel to get the ruggedness and the corrosion resistance. (Oh brother, I was just whining about the $840.)

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Really looking for good opinions here. I posted over on the Classic SeaCraft forum because I am running a 1989 23WA Sea Craft and I am being told I should pull the tank and inspect it and maybe pressure test. If I go to that effort, then I will replace a 20 year old tank, just to be on the safe side. Fortunately, there are large deck plates that be removed giving access, just a pain clean and re caulking them and a lot of screws.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Aluminum does corrode when in contact with water. A new plastic tank will never corrode or break down in your lifetime. Seeing as you already have the belly tank, replacing it with a new tank should not be too difficult, as long as the hoses connect in the same place and don't need extension.

If the tank is OK now, and you only plan to keep the boat another season or two, I don't see the point in changing it.

If its a boat you are restoring and want to keep many more years, then a new tank will go a long way towards reducing problems in the future.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Nice boat.....do her justice. Put the stock size aluminum tank back in her if you're tank tests out as bad. Putting a smaller tupperware tank in it would only reduce the value of the boat in the long run.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I got into the tank this afternoon and managed to get the rest of the gas out. There is a little junk in the tank but really no more than one should expect after 20 years. No signs of rust and I can see about 1/2 the tank through the sender hole, I will let it vent overnight and stick my nose back into it tomorrow. The tank is foamed in so can't see anything but the top and of course it looks good. I have about 2 months to get things done so will have to think about the options. The Racor filters are a little spendy to keep changing, I guess I can keep draining the bowl until nothing shows up, but really don't want to completely plug the thing up and run lean.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I have the same problem with a 86 gallon belly tank..getting it out should be fun.
Finding the exact size to go back in with 90* fittings for the fill and vent hole should be even more fun...

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

The mfg name should be on a tag on the tank, they probably can make you another tank. I am lucky as we have a mfg here in town that make anything I want reinstall. I guess I will determine that next week. If I remove the tank, I will definitely replace it with a new one.
I had this reply from the SeaCraft site:
RDS in fla built the original tanks in 1989,and they still have the diagrams for it. i replaced the 135 gal tank in my 89 23cc 3 years ago for 565 and shipping from Fla to eastern NC was 125. Les

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I have the same problem with a 86 gallon belly tank..getting it out should be fun.
Finding the exact size to go back in with 90* fittings for the fill and vent hole should be even more fun...

Check out oceanlinkinc.com Most of the tanks listed have dimensional drawings so you can see the layout of the fittings. Their prices are good too. They were able to get me a moeller tank that is custom for a manufacturer when no other moeller dealer could. And prices are fair.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I have the same problem with a 86 gallon belly tank..getting it out should be fun.
Finding the exact size to go back in with 90* fittings for the fill and vent hole should be even more fun...

Check out oceanlinkinc.com Most of the tanks listed have dimensional drawings so you can see the layout of the fittings. Their prices are good too. They were able to get me a moeller tank that is custom for a manufacturer when no other moeller dealer could. And prices are fair.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Fuel tank question?

The quickest and best way to find out if your current tank is good is to have it pressure tested. That will reveal any leaks immediately.

Whatever you do, whether you replace with aluminum or with roto-molded cross-linked polyethylene (plastic), get rid of the foam around the tank. Foam just traps water against the tank. When you get a new tank make a decent set of mounts for the tank.

I would recommend the plastic for all the reasons said above. Plus that you can't foam in plastic as the foam won't bond to it anyway so you need a way to mount and hold the tank down. Usually straps of some kind are used. Plastic tanks are nearly indestructible, they don't corrode and they meet all the same standards as metal tanks.

However, if you do go with an aluminum tank, RDS is a good way to go.

Here's a list of tank manufacturers:
Ezell Industries Products http://www.ezellindustries.com/
Florida Marine Tanks http://www.floridamarinetanks.com/
Inca Plastics Inc. http://www.incaplastics.com/
Kracor Inc - Rotational Molders of Marine Tanks http://www.kracor.com/
Moeller marine Products http://www.moellermp.com/
RDS Aluminum Fuel Tanks Marine Tanks http://www.rdsaluminum.com/
S P fabricates custom aluminum marine fuel tanks http://www.sptanks.com/webdev/links.htm
Tempo Products - Fuel Tanks http://www.tempoproducts.com/products.html
Marine Fuel, Holding,Water Tanks by Custom Marine Tanks http://www.custommarinefueltanks.com/
Todd Boat Seats marine supplies, marine equip, fuel transport. gas caddies http://www.toddusa.com/productdetails.aspx?cid=14
Top Dog Systems Vaporless Fuel Tanks http://topdogsystem.com/index.html

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I second RDS. They make tanks for Grady White as well.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Any body have any knowledge as to how to remove a tank of this size, 91"x30"X10"? I think getting it loose from the boat is going to be a major undertaking.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel tank question?

My tanks are not foamed in so this might not work for you.

On mine the hardest parts was finding something to grab it with. We ended up snaking a wire under the tank at both ends and pulled bailing twine under it for handles. Two guys lifted it out easily.

Empty it shouldn't weigh more than 60-70 lbs.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

I was looking in the hole w/a flashlight and there are a couple of mounting brackets on the side also, they would be OK for hooking wire or something
through. I will cut the caulking and remove a zillion screws this week and take a more serious look at the tank. I have all the gas out now and left the 1 1/8" hole open for the fuel sender to allow evaporation of the fumes, etc. After I get the deck plate/maybe both off, I was thinking of maybe trying to use my pressure washer and get the junk all washed down to the low corner then try siphoning with a water hose and swab it out w/towels through the hole. It might even show up any leaks.
I would be afraid to try and use a vacuum until I got the water out. If any fumes remain and static electricity, (BOOM ). I will know more when I get into hull.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Got into the hull today and I smell gas in the deep "V" under the gas tank deck. No sign of a leak, but sure has a gas smell, so went ahead and started getting things ready to pull the tank out. The tank has been shifting slightly, only one set of screws in tight, rest were loose, bracket was broke and the tank is loose from the foam, now to figure out how to lift it out of the hull. The thing is 93"X30"X10", it is going to take some maneuvering to lift it out of the hole.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Talked with a boat shop today and they advised me to drain (already done) and put water in the tank and then cut it and collapse it in to make it come out of the 27 inch wide hole since the tank is 28 inches wide. I can't believe they install these things so they cannot be removed easily.
I will be going to a smaller tank, maybe 75 gallons so it will be easier to install. The guy at the shop says these older tank are not up to date w/Coast Regs now, so need to be updated. After I get it out, I may just let them finish up the to make sure it is safe and done right since I have no experience in the area.

 

[Ike-110722]

Re: Fuel tank question?

Believe it! This has been one of my pet peeves for many years. Manufacturers as a whole treat tanks as if they will never have to be replaced, which we all know is not true. I have fought this fight for over 30 years and not made much progress.

Good luck to you on your project.