Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

[imported_tgattis]

Hello all,

I am building a 15' wooden boat. I am now at the stage of thinking about fuel tanks. I have 1966 Chrysler 35 Hp outboard. I would like to know if anyone has installed a permanent fuel tank instead of using a portable. Are there any advantages and is there anything I should be conserned with? I had orginally inteneded to use a portable but now and running into space issues. Getting it in and out to fill will be a hassle with the design. A permanent fuel tank could solve these problems and would only require a fill line and vntilation. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

Personally, I think a permanent tank is preferred when given the choice. The biggest advantage is that a properly installed perm tank will vent fumes over the side of the boat.

They are easy to install.
- All metal fuel system components must be grounded. This often includes the tank, fuel fill and vent. If any of the parts are plastic, no grounding is necessary for that part.
- The vent should be installed so that fumes do not enter the cockpit of the boat. Gas fumes are heavier than air and will collect in the lowest area of your cockpit.
- The fill should be located so that any spillage does not enter the cockpit.
- Use the proper fuel line if the fuel line will be routed under the deck. The grey hose is for above deck, the black is for below.
- Mount your tank so that it there is a little bit of space around all side. For a plastic tank, this is important for expansion and contraction. For an aluminum tank, this is important to prevent corrosion.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

Welcome aboard iboats!

I'm with Ed on the permanent installation. Having had several boats with both types of tank installation, I must say I MUCH prefer a permanent mount. The space thing is certainly foremost, but also having a tank centered below-deck seems to provide added stability by having the weight centered at keel-level. Given the choice, no doubt I would go with permanent installation.

 

[NBE]

Re: Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

If you are running into space problems maybe the permanent tank would be better for you. My last boat was a 15' and I had two portable 6 gallon tanks located under the drivers bench seat. The top of the bench would lift up and I had easy access to the tanks if needed. You still have to vent the enclosure as you would if they were permanent tanks. I also had a valve which allowed me to swap tanks without raising the seat.

One thing positive about portable tanks is they can be easily removed if needed for cleaning, etc. Also if you happen to run out of gas and there is not a gas pump around, it is nice to be able to just take the tank or tanks out and take them somewhere to get gas. Portable tanks are also a bit cheaper than the permanent ones.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each kind. Just kind of depends on your setup and your needs.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

Check out this link to my gas tank project:

Gas Tank Project

I added a 14 gallon permenant plastic tank to my runabout and list all the hardware and took photos.

I got tired of lifting two 6 gallon tanks over the sides of the boat. Especially seeing as it was on the trailer most of the time and I filled up at regular gas stations. Now I pull into the station, put in the nozzel and watch the gauge fill.

I am so glad I put in that tank.

 

[imported_Samuel]

Re: Portable or Permanent Fuel Tank?

I would second the motion of a permanent on-board tank. I have a stainless 20 gal. tank on a 15' Lone Star Triton w/ a 40 HP Evinrude Lark VI. Basically a permanent install avoids the fuss and mess of lugging the tanks and switching them in the "heat of battle". Besides it is neat pulling up to the pump and filling the boat and not taking out and putting in tanks...just like the car. But remember that a permanent install requires that you treat the gas prior to storage....and that you watch your "mixes"...after all you can dispose of a portable tank fill screw up fairly easily, but a permanent tank will require you to take it out and empty it to truly correct a contamination or mix issue, since siphoning will only get so much out... Later

Sam

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