Welded fuel tank

[mwassman]

If i were to have an aluminum welder fabricate a 12gal fuel tank for my 16ft aluminum jon boat what are some required features it would need. Type of aluminum, baffles ect...?

 

[sutor623]

Re: Welded fuel tank

You going to fit it into the floor? Just wondering, Ive always wanted to do that.

 

[mwassman]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Yea my boat has GIANT cross members i going to try to get one made to fit betwean the two larger ones.
But trust me getting a custom tank made isnt easy or cheap. I wanted a plastic one made at first but let me be the first to say that is not happening umless you want to buy not inly the tank but but the mold as well.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Welded fuel tank

The shop that builds your fuel tank has to be certified and the tank has to be permanently marked with the specs, etc. You can't just go have one made at your local welders. Well, you could if you're o.k. with cremation.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Welded fuel tank

mwassman. For what reason would you want to do that?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Sorry, that was unfair, I should have provided a solution. Find a local boat repair shop that has the inside track with Moeller. They make ton's more tanks than they show on their website. I'm sure you can find one that will fit your needs and be safe.

 

[mwassman]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Sorry, that was unfair, I should have provided a solution. Find a local boat repair shop that has the inside track with Moeller. They make ton's more tanks than they show on their website. I'm sure you can find one that will fit your needs and be safe.

Ive actually already spoke with moeller my self and and they said to had nothing to match the deminsions i needed but they did send me a link to a company call oceanlink, i have yet to contact them but when i do ill let yall know, ive sent boyds welding an email with all the deminsions for a quote, and yes thier tanks meet USCG regulations.

The reason i want this done is mainly because it would leave me more open space instead of having a fuel tank in the way. Im puting a floor down and the space i will be covering up can hold at least 12 gal of fuel so i figured might as well use it and save myself some open hull room

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Welded fuel tank

for such a small tank, baffles would not really matter. I would be more concerned with shaping the bottom with a slight v and making sure the pickup is near the lowest point at rest AND on plane.

Any shop that is qualified to build a marine fuel tank will know how to design it for you.

If you are wanting a very wide shallow tank, understand that it will be very easy to uncover the fuel pickup by leaning the boat with anything less than about 1/2 tank.

 

[sasto]

Re: Welded fuel tank

I've used these guys for years. http://www.tntboatworks.com/index.php

I'm not the only one around that uses them. The boatbuilders and mechanics swear by them. They are building one for me as I type.

Good Luck!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Welded fuel tank

flat shallow "belly tanks" get funky faster, too, due to the surface area. I know you are looking for customizing, but 2 6 gallon tanks makes more sense to me in a jon, unless you have a center console to put a 12 behind. Aren't you going to have to raise the floor up so high as to compromise your already low freeboard?

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Boyds welding in Florida...they fab stuff out of aluminum all day all week all year...they have done some work for me and it was all custom to my spec...they got it right...price seemed good....they make gas tanks as well...so they are probably certified and will warranty their work

good luck

I personally have 2 ,9 gallon plastic portables. But i store them in a hatched compartment..they can be pulled out and cleaned or thrown away easily. if they ever stop working or get debris in them

bob

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Welded fuel tank

I had two 12 gal custom tanks made for my boat. They certainly weren't cheap, but they fit and work perfectly. This little boat is a deep V so I've never had a problem with the pickups. I had one baffle put in each tank. This photo shows them nestled under the rear seat.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Looks good naut!

 

[mwassman]

Re: Welded fuel tank

flat shallow "belly tanks" get funky faster, too, due to the surface area. I know you are looking for customizing, but 2 6 gallon tanks makes more sense to me in a jon, unless you have a center console to put a 12 behind. Aren't you going to have to raise the floor up so high as to compromise your already low freeboard?

Im sorry i didnt understand the last part?

 

[mwassman]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Boyds welding in Florida...they fab stuff out of aluminum all day all week all year...they have done some work for me and it was all custom to my spec...they got it right...price seemed good....they make gas tanks as well...so they are probably certified and will warranty their work

good luck

I personally have 2 ,9 gallon plastic portables. But i store them in a hatched compartment..they can be pulled out and cleaned or thrown away easily. if they ever stop working or get debris in them

bob

Yes i just got a quote back from boyds this afternon for $325. So far thats been the cheapest and they have pretty good reviews, i think im going yo getbthem to make me some float pods too

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Welded fuel tank

I have pods made by Boyds , they are solid....made right to my specs.....but I didnt draft up the bottom.....so they drag water and keep me from getting my bow up to reach top speed at WOT...

they really help when static....but I think id give up just a little of that static lift, to avoid dragging when at speed.


they only need to be angled up to match the posture of the bottom of the hull when the bow is up and you are running trimmed as best as it will go giving you top speed...so maybe 10 degrees...

every boat is different..

I guess i lost about 8-10 mph......isnt a huge deal for a duck boat....but some guys LOVE speed. I run about 37-38 MPH and should be running about 45 or more.

good luck

measure the transom angle 5 times!!!! and make sure you got it right....

bob

 

[NYBo]

Re: Welded fuel tank

Sounds like an interesting project. Since you are spending that much on the fuel tank, pictures of your progress are obligatory.