options on fuel tank

[MAXX40X]

I have 18?1976 Starcraft ss ; boat has been totally stripped , waiting on blast media (soda) to get here so I can blast the inside/outside of the hull. In any event I found a 28 gal. aluminum tank that will set under the floor. Used tank; of course I would pressure test before installing it the SS; my question is this; what do you guys think? A below deck fuel tank really sounds appealing to me, and at ? the cost of a new above deck 18 gal. tank??.. Someone tell me why I should not do this. I am new to all things Starcraft/ 18? boats. (I have a 1963 Starcraft 14? w/ a 6hp Evinrude. Love it, great little boat) In any event, don?t see any drawbacks to doing this mod on the SS. Tell me what you think/opinion. Most of You guys have been doing this forever, and I sincerely value your advice in all things Starcraft.
Thank you

 

[jasoutside]

Re: options on fuel tank

Hey max! Shoot, if it fits, go for it!

Question - does it fit? (don't forget to include fittings in your measurements)

Have fun!

 

[fshngho]

Re: options on fuel tank

Max as Jas said check to make sure it fits and you can run vent & fuel lines. If everything works, you'll be the envy of a lot of guys. I think we all want to do it but don't have the room or tank. Give us pics of your process & progress.

 

[Deadwood]

Re: options on fuel tank

Regarding where you put it do you know how your boat rides normally? 28gals of gas is a lot of weight. I mention this because I'm trying different ideas trying to get the bow lower in the water on my girl. Good luck and great find.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

I will know everything I need to know about the fuel tank Tuesday when I go look at it and measure it again. In regard to how the boat rides; I have know idea. Never had it in the water. Bought it, pulled it home, and started taking it apart. I knew the floor was bad, I knew the transom would have to be replaced..etc etc?.on and on and on. I will have a new 1976 Starcraft 18?SS when I am finished. Well, better than new. In any event, I also knew that if I could find a belly tank for the boat, I would go that direction. Thought about building a tank (I am a welder/fabricator) if nothing else in this life. At any rate, I believe this will be a great modification to an otherwise great boat. Just needed reassurance that I was on the right track with my thinking .sorry no pic?s at this time.well maybe one if I can get it to load. The day I brought it home pic. I will have other pic?s/ progress reports soon. Trust me on this one little thing; I love this forum, and thank you for all the help (answers) thus far. And one other little thing. There will be more questions......
Thanks again
cant find the pic's. i will post pic's as soon as i can.

 

[fshngho]

Re: options on fuel tank

You do realize some people stop answering questions until they see pics?
You might say we crave 'em, live for 'em, hunger for 'em, & beg for 'em. Get the idea? OK, we will still help, but pics make us nicer

 

[TheWrks]

Re: options on fuel tank

You do realize some people stop answering questions until they see pics?
You might say we crave 'em, live for 'em, hunger for 'em, & beg for 'em. Get the idea? OK, we will still help, but pics make us nicer

Indeed

​

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

Indeed

​

Ok ok ok ..
You wanted and demanded pix of the Starcraft 18? SS. Wellll; I just picked the tank up today; ( it is deer archery season here in Oh. I hunt as well as shoot competitive archery, and Benchrest rifle) I stay busy. In any event, pix of the 28 gallon belly tank in the belly of the soon to be, beast. It?s a 1976 18'SS, pushed by a 92 100hp Merc.
I wanted a large tank and I wanted it below deck. Cleaner/neater/and I have room for more fishing gear/ stuff. I am probably going to modify the fill neck (down and to the port side position) probably. Have to see how things work out. I will post pix as progress warrants. You folks are a great inspiration; a fount of wisdom.(for the most part)lol.i gotta say had it not been for your restorations, your answering silly questions and patience, (AND PIX) I probably would have bought a new boat?.. As it is, my1976 SS will be better than new by the time I am finished. Do it once; do it right.
Thanks all. I?ll keep you posted.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

huh... the pix did not upload????????????? i may have to send the pix and have you? do it. or wait till someone smarter that I (wife or the kid next door) gets home and let (ask) her/them to do it. Sorry.

 

[TheWrks]

Re: options on fuel tank

huh... the pix did not upload????????????? i may have to send the pix and have you? do it. or wait till someone smarter that I (wife or the kid next door) gets home and let (ask) her/them to do it. Sorry.

Click this image

in the "Reply to Thread" page a small window will pop up, then paste the URL (web address for the photo)

once you have clicked ok then the following should show up

[IMG]photo url is here [/IMG]

Regard,

Scott

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: options on fuel tank

Maxx, welcome and great find on ther finest open bow fishing vessel ever made. Just wanted to personally greet you before the angry mob finds you.

Glad to have you, my open bow brother.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

ok . os pix of my SS and the tank. I hope

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

more pix

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

and another.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

and another
this phto from the day i bought the SS

 

[jasoutside]

Re: options on fuel tank

and anotherView attachment 71073
this phto from the day i bought the SS

See now we are getting somewhere MAX! Nice rig!! I am very interested to hear if you have run that Minn Kota engine mounted trolling motor yet?

Super find man!

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

I will get better at posting pix. The file pix were to big, had to resize them.(all by myself) I?ll get it sorted out one of these days. In any event, sorry for the crummy pictures.
The tank fits like a glove; I will pressure test it after I modify it to suite me, and the SS.
It is baffled; and that is one less concern. Over all I am happy with the my find (the tank) got it cheep compared to building one or buying a new one. .
It measures 60x 22x 6.5. (I have no idea what it came out of). Like I said, it fits like a glove. I figure on having the boat in the water next spring. I?m not in any hurry. Do it once; do it right.
Thanks for your patience and inspiration. Priceless.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

See now we are getting somewhere MAX! Nice rig!! I am very interested to hear if you have run that Minn Kota engine mounted trolling motor yet?

Super find man!

I have not; however the guy I bought the SS from, used the boat on Erie to fish walleye and said it worked great. I have no reason to doubt him. He said the motor (Merc) was good, and it is; 130 psi. on all 4 cylinders. New pump/tuneup this past spring. The motor was vary clean and well maintained. At any rate, I cant wait to get it on the water. I intend on using the SS to fish and just putt around. I know lot?s of people that live on Erie.
thanks; i am vary happy to be part of the SS club. lov it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: options on fuel tank

Wait a minute, do we yet have another MI guy added to the Starcraft brotherhood? Where ya from MAX?

In any event, looking forward to what you'll do with that SS, congrats!

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: options on fuel tank

Wait a minute, do we yet have another MI guy added to the Starcraft brotherhood? Where ya from MAX?

In any event, looking forward to what you'll do with that SS, congrats!

Im a buckeye. Yep; another useless nut. I know someone on this fourm bought an 18?SS out of London oh; actually closer to Plane City, I think?
I looked at the SS he/they bought and passed on it to buy the one i have.
In any event, Im an Ohio boy; north central oh.(AND no i dont wanna talk about OSU!!!!).if you?re ever this way look me up. We?ll compare notes on the SS, and have a beer.
maxx