Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

I'm working on a 66 Bowrider, has a SS tank that weighs 110 pounds!! (approx 29gals). I'd like to lighten it up.

I found a place that could make up an aluminum tank, but cost would be almost $400 with shipping. Found a plastic fuel tank for below deck that was less than $200 with shipping and weighs only about 25 pounds.

Anybody have experience or know about plastic fuel tanks?
Any info would be appreciated!

Then, what to do with the SS tank.....

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

my 23 Inboard was converted to a bracket with twins and the original space under the console for the Diesel is where the prior owner put 2, 50 gal tempo tanks and it works well.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

My '74 tsunami was originally an I/O.....apparently it go a
110 gal aluminum tank in 1989. I'd like to go a little
bigger during my refurb....maybe 130 or 140. Post I've read elsewhere say that over 50 gals or so to go aluminum....curious about everyone opinion on this board. Also looking for sources....I can search the net but hearing from people that purchased tanks helps.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

65Bowrider, I have a brand new 36 gallon plastic fuel tank that I bought for my 20sf, but I have decided to build an aluminum take for the boat. Let me know if you are interested and I'll get you the dimensions on the tank.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

Bring up the question of one big tank....or just add an aux tank. I think bigger is more space efficient....but smaller has more options for placement. I also keep thinking about the upcoming problems with ethanol....
I'm interested in hearing opinions on that.....

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

since i just put two new aluminum taks in mine- 55 gallons each- i also replaced all my fuel hoses, fill,vent, and supply- im not sure if the old fuel hose was always marked as fuel/alcohol but all the new fuel system hoses are. i was pleasantly pleased to see fuel/alc stenciled on them when I bought them. those 20 year old tanks that i replaced were shiney as they could be from running that ethonal blend in them. craig :)

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

Makes another intersting possibility....using a couple of smaller tanks you can vary the ride by emptying one or the other first.....not sure it would matter too much.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

I had a 45 gal plastic tank in my 2003 Whaler Dauntless. It was located in the center console. The only issue was that it eminated a gas odor, that turns out to go with the territory. Not fumes, just an odor from osmosis or whatever. I don't know if I would seal plastic under the floor without really good ventilation.

If I were to replace the fuel tank in my 20, which is under the console, I would use plasic in the same location and add a vent in front.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

That's what I heard also, the gas smell permeates through the plastic and makes your boat smell of gas constantly. It's not fumes or dangerous, just annoying.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

Thanks for the info, hadn't considered the odor, but ventilation is definitely a possibility if that would be the solution.

71kidcasper, what are your plastic tank deminsions? Anything I've seen so far in plastic, I'm going to have to modify the 'holding' area anyway.

Keep the info coming...it's a great help.

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

I had a 40 gal plastic tank under the deck in my previous boat and had it for 19 years it never sprung a leak. I also new another guy who had a 80 gal plastic tank for approx the same amount of time with no problems. I think a 60 gal tank or less is ok but beyond that is pushing it a little. You can foam them in with no concerns like you have with aluminum tanks. I did have one issue with the tank besides the fume smell, after time my gas sensor that fits in the tank needed to be replaced the re sealing of the gas sensor was a problem I tried using 4200 and 5200 but it didn’t stick to the plastic and the hole that the sensor fit into had warped a little which meant that from then on I did not fill the tank to the brim for fear of a little gas oozing out and into the bilge. In aluminum tanks they put 3-6 ballasts walls into the tank to prevent the gas from sloshing back and forth I might be wrong on this one but on plastic tanks “I Thing” they don’t do that. Thus after time AND if the tank is to big that could cause problems. As far as weight if it is in the center of your boat for me weight is a good thing.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins :D

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

Hey Ken,
Those gas sensors are a pain. The floats stick sometimes and replacements are not cheap either. IMHO I would spend $140 on a Navman type in-line fuel monitor from the Git-Go and not worry about the tank sealing etc. ;)

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

Ha Capt. Chuck;

I did put a in line fuel monitor in my 23’ and use is. But I also like the one is the tank as well just incase. I don’t know why but because I trailer my boat I find that at the end of the day “at the dock” I maybe have burned 15 gal’s but then after my trailer ride home the gage says 17 gal’s. I don’t have this problem when I keep the boat in the water for a week and use it every day but trailer time + sloshing around tricks my in line so it knocks off my gal in tank readings.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins :D

Re: Fuel Tank - Plastic?
 

just another reply on the plastic fuel tanks - I put one in a 18' Glasspar years ago, had very good luck with it - it was mounted up under the foredeck, so was well ventilated - I never noticed any gas odors coming off it. Believe it was an 18 gal size.

Bill