Fuel Tank - Plastic?

[65Bowrider]

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.....

[Snookerd]

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.

[1bayouboy]

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.

[71kidcasper]

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.

[1bayouboy]

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.....

[Miles Offshore]

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

[1bayouboy]

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.

[65Bowrider]

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.

[ocuyler]

Anybody have experience or know about plastic fuel tanks?

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.

[nestorpr]

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.