should the fuel tank be built in the DIY deck or be good ventilated?

[tavacska]

Hello, boaters,

I am going to build a rear deck to place my 24 gal plastic tank. I have a dealer deck with live well and middle pole seat. But it doesn't fit the tank. so I have to give up the live well and keep the middle seat.

My question is can I build a concealed space for the tank. Or should I place the tank in a good ventilated area under the deck?

I have this question because I remembered reading somewhere that a closed space is a good chance to explode for a leaked tank.

I am going to build the deck today. So please advise, thanks.

 

[TyeeMan]

My gut feeling would be to ventilate it some how. Some kind of vents to allow some kind of air flow.

Boats that have belly tanks don't have the tanks "vented" per se, but the tank area isn't exactly sealed tight either, there is lot's of air space and air that can move past the tank.

 

[JoLin]

My gut feeling would be to ventilate it some how. Some kind of vents to allow some kind of air flow.

Boats that have belly tanks don't have the tanks "vented" per se, but the tank area isn't exactly sealed tight either, there is lot's of air space and air that can move past the tank.

'Belly tanks' ARE vented. A tank designed to be enclosed/built-in has a vent fitting. A hose leads from the tank's vent fitting to a thru-hull fitting that lets fumes exit outside of the boat.

Tavacska, if the tank you're using doesn't have a fitting for a vent hose, it's designed for above deck/exposed use only. Do NOT fully enclose it.

My .02

 

[Rick McC.]

'Belly tanks' ARE vented. A tank designed to be enclosed/built-in has a vent fitting. A hose leads from the tank's vent fitting to a thru-hull fitting that lets fumes exit outside of the boat.

Tavacska, if the tank you're using doesn't have a fitting for a vent hose, it's designed for above deck/exposed use only. Do NOT fully enclose it.

My .02

This!!

 

[TyeeMan]

I kind of the think the OP is wondering if the tank can be placed in "sealed" if you will compartment with no airflow in or out of the compartment.

Yes belly tanks are vented via a vent hose. Any tank for that matter is vented otherwise it will implode as fuel is drawn from it.

 

[JoLin]

I kind of the think the OP is wondering if the tank can be placed in "sealed" if you will compartment with no airflow in or out of the compartment.
.

Yes, I know. As I stated, the answer depends on whether or not the tank he's using is designed for a permanent, place-it-anywhere installation. If it is, it has a vent fitting, and he must run a vent hose to a thru-hull vent. If it does not have such a fitting, it is a tank designed for above deck/exposed use only. It vents directly into the surrounding air and must not be fully enclosed.

I don't know how to make it any clearer.

 

[JoLin]

Here's an example of a 24-gallon plastic fuel tank that MUST NOT BE ENCLOSED. It vents through the fill cap directly into the surrounding atmosphere. It must have free airflow around it. If it's enclosed, fuel vapors will build up inside the enclosure, posing a very real fire/explosion risk.

http://moellermarine.com/moeller-mar...tank-031526br/

 

[Ned L]

Yes, I know. As I stated, the answer depends on whether or not the tank he's using is designed for a permanent, place-it-anywhere installation. If it is, it has a vent fitting, and he must run a vent hose to a thru-hull vent. If it does not have such a fitting, it is a tank designed for above deck/exposed use only. It vents directly into the surrounding air and must not be fully enclosed.

I don't know how to make it any clearer.

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