1969 20' 40gal fuel tank under console ques.
 

Hi I'm new here. I recently bought a 69' 20 footer w/200 Mercury Opti. After doing some research I realized this boat doesn't have a below deck fuel tank and originally there should be a tank under the forward console seat, there is not. Previous owners used portable tanks for just near shore running.
Does any one know where I can find a tank that will fit in fwd console?

Thanks

Welcome to CSC!!! I have a friend here in HHI with a 20 of same era, and his was completely redone locally. Old Merc 200 as well, though he has recently upgraded. You will require a custom built aluminum tank fabricated to "stuff" under/inside the foot print of the large center consul, and most likely a vent out the side of the consul. Then you will have to decide if you want the fill located on top or side of consul. Once you know max length and width of space, you will determine overall height of tank, to determine how many gallons you would like to carry, i.e lower tank height may provide additional space for life preservers, etc.

I believe the formula for calculating gallonage (liquid) is LxWxHx .123, but you can google it to confirm. Once you determine that, you may consider a similarly shaped, capacity of a plastic (ethanol compliant) Moeller tank.

Aluminum tank builders are:
RDS of Perry, Florida.
Sunshine Tanks of South Florida (original builder of early SeaCrafts and Fossil Man is a member here and a (family member or employee)). Shipping is the killer.
I have been to a Coast Guard certified builder on James Island...

Hope this helps. There a quite a few members here in the Charleston area.

Vezo, Part II

P.S. A rough estimate should be @ $7.50/gallon, plus coating of your choice (coal tar epoxy seems most popular), plus shipping.

Thanks for the welcome and info! I will look into getting one custom built. I actually live on James island but so far only found marine welders in North Charleston and mount pleasant. I'll keep looking.

Thanks

Fuel Tank Tip
 

Several years ago RDS made me a tank to the dimensions I provided from my original tank. It would barely fit height-wise even though the dimensions checked out ok. The problem was the tank bottom was not planar and had some bow. Wish I had decreased the height maybe 3/8" or so for margin. I had to mod the fiberglass tank lid a bit.

If you call or stop by the industrial park on right heading east you will find High and Dry boatworks, an aluminum pipe welder, and other miscellaneous boat shops. Kurt, at High and Dry can put you in touch with tank builder. He refurbs Whalers mostly but is familiar with SeaCrafts.

Vezo, Part II

I think Fishstretcher put a poly one under the console of his 20. If you do a search I'll bet you find it.

Thanks guys,
I checked into high and dry boatworks website and they seem legit. I'm sure they can find me a tank welder. Actually looking at there work and close proximity I may just use them for restoration once I'm ready and have them refit a tank below deck. There right down the road and I couldn't find them with all my searching. My friend owns signal point auto which is on that road.
Also Basketcase, I found the post by Fishstreacher but he was talking about a 20gal tank it seems. Although poly would of been a great option.

Again thanks

I have to tell you, you have to have DEEP pockets for High And Dry! Very good quality costs money. You might be saving for two years after estimate. Just sayin.

Michael.

20 gal is a bit small and I think it's an aux tank for him. I did a poly 25 gal under the deck in my 20 (Not done yet) and I think it should be plenty. I wanted to keep it light and also not have 80 gallons of fuel going stale because I'll probably never need that much fuel. I guess it depends all on how you plan to use the boat. That being said, there is a ton of poly tanks of all shapes and sizes. You may get lucky.

I had the same hull..it had a 40gal alum tank under the console and under the front seat.The fill was on top of the console dash and vent on the side .. Later I had a replacement stainless tank made and rigged the same way it was like new when I sold the boat after 28 years.. See if you can fit a poly tank there, would be good above deck under the console....I just put a poly tank in my 1998 21 , I had to take the console off and cut the floor out.... Yours should be quick and ez to put a poly in that 20 under the console...(note CG regs no longer want fills and vents inside the boat ) I never had a problem on my old 20 just be careful filling/over filling

Joe R.
21 SeaCraft 1998 /200 Optimax
Susie 2