fuel tank prices are crazy
 

700 dollars for a aluminun tank. Had two quotes around the same price. Anyone know of any good places or some off the shelf that would fit in a 18 width 8 high 77length ?
thanks
will-

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Marine Connection Liquidators had loads of tanks the last time I was there. Phone number is (772) 465-6460

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Unfortunatly that is the going rate. I just paid 750 for a new 100 gallon tank. I checked around and the price was about the same everywhere checked. maybe a second hand tank would cost a lot less. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Strick

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Well I'm sure this is going to make alot of people mad but,... don't be so freaking cheap!!! The two things you want to make sure you have right are, Safety gear and your fuel tank!!! The price of $700.00 is very fair, if not cheap. I charge $8.00 a gallon when I build tanks and I don't build them half assed. Hey, if you don't mind seeing a 100 gallons of gas in the bilge, just make sure you turn the bilge pump off... Sorry to anyone I may have pissed off, just needed to vent...

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Agreed. welding is an art and brand new aluminum aint cheap. I was happy to fork over the dough for my tank. Wish I had you near bye for my hard top framing. There is a severe lack of fabricators in my area... and I may have to drive 7 hours south to get that built. I almost have my consel ready [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Strick

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Hey Don

What's the difference Tig or Mig and what do you use on a fuel tank? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

There's a man around here who has been building tanks for years. He builds them out of heavy gauge marine aluminum, and has some of the prettiest welds that you will find. He charges $3.50 or $4.00 per gal. His name is Jim Allen. If interested, I can get you his phone number. He is located in Vancleave, MS. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Lost2a6 . . . I'm interested.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

700 dollars too friggin cheap huh?
Do the math on the dimensions on the tank I specified it comes out to less than 50 gallons which make the qoute I got around $14 dollars a gallon.
Now do the math why I asked the question.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Jim Allen Phone # 228-826-2275 He built a tank for my 20ft Sceptre and did some work on the tank in my 23ft Sceptre. I'm very happy with his work. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Thanks Lost2a6!! I'll give him a call.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Well I did miss the part about the dims of your tank, and yeah it is high. Around here the going rate is $8.00 a gallon. I tig weld all of my tanks, it takes longer but the welds are nicer and better quailty.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

No pun intended, right Don? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I am no expert on tanks that’s for sure, and I shopped my tanks for price before I bought like everyone else. I would just like to say, most of us forget about the 4-6 baffles that are welded in out tanks, the pipe connections inside the tanks, and the gage equipment mounted in the tanks that all need to be set up correctly by the manufacturer and pressure tested. I like everyone else would prefer spend my $$$ on pretty stuff maybe a nice new Penn International 30 or something like that. But there got to be a lot of time and effort both on the inside of the tank as well as the outside of the tank to get it right, and everyone in business still got to make a profit at the end of the week. We must remember redoing a boat isn’t CHEEP if you can re do a boat for 50 to 60% of a new one costs you are in the ball park. Sure you can do one for 30-40% of new but it won’t be set up like some you see on this sight. Remember you are building your dream boat while you are shelling out your $$$$ it doesn’t hurt so bad that way. Oh by the way if you don’t buy that custom tank for your boat, you wife will buy $700 of new draperies for the family room that you cant sit in. Where’s the Bud’s
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I'll do a new tank for $275 + duct tape expenses and shipping. The large "NO SMOKING" sticker on the side of it is extra!

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Afraid I agree with PipeDreamsMarine. I am a fabricator, and that tank will take two(2) sheets of 5052-H32 .090 aluminum at a cost around $100+. Add layout, pressbrake work, baffles and fitting, fuel fittings, sender ring, etc., add on tig welding (gases, rod), testing, insurance, and lets not forget wages, and it adds up. We don't price work by the gallon, but by the effort and cost of materials. Could build a 100 gallon tank instead of that 48 gallon one for about the same money. West Marine will quote you a custom built tank in 1-2 days if you fax them the dimensions. Have you tried this?

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

hey guys, thanks for all of the input,
Going to look around this week at all my options.
100 gallons is a little much for my 20ft cc, the fuel tank is a very simple long rectangle.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I had a 65 gal tank built for my 20ft Sceptre and it was plenty. I think that the boat came with a 48 gal tank. I was running the same 200 Yamaha that is on my 23 Sceptre on the 20ft boat.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I recieved a quote from Mattson in Tampa for a 50-51 gallon tank, $425 to $450 depeding on thickness of aluminum. Now that is a price that I am willing to pay. If anyone wants their number let me know.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

tango,
I'm a little late on this thread but i bought a New Rotocast tank for my 20 (60 gallon) at marine surplus in Sarasota that fit perfect. I had to re route the fill hose a little but it was still straight shot. $180. 00. Send me a note if you want ot see it, I'm in the neighborhood. If you want a guy locally I've had one built in Sarasota as well. $6.00 to $8.00 a gallon average.
Dave.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

Thanks Dave,
ALready put a deposit on the one in Tampa. Couldn't find off the shelf to fit, maybe had I kept looking I could have.
Still want to catch you one day, but I work in Naples every day and that drive is killing me.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I did that drive from the Cape for a year.I feel for you man. Rubber neckers and dump trucks all over.

Re: fuel tank prices are crazy
 

I had my 50gal tank built by Mattson's in tampa for right around $400 i also went with a thicker gauge aluminum. They did great work,and good people. I dont have any complaints.