Poly Fuel Tanks

[rcnight]

Ok Gents - go easy on me. I know aluminum is King of the Hill. Just want to get some useful feedback on poly fuel tanks in the +100 gallon range. Wondering how the lack of internal baffles plays into their performance? Also, just how bad is the gas smell I've read about? Thanks for all feedback.

[strick]

Bigshrimpin loves poly maybe he will chime in.

strick

[KenB]

Have you considered two smaller tanks instead of one big one?

I installed 2x 55 gallon tanks from west marine for $430 each:
https://bit.ly/3ue8Z6x

- downside is that I had to build and glass in a cradle because the tanks were a little too tall for the existing ply tank slot, even after raising the decks and removing the in-deck fish box.
- upside should be that I can adjust center of gravity a bit by figuring out which tank to fill/use.
- additional upside was price and not having to pay shipping (e.g. ship to local west marine for pick up)... parsimonious yankee.
- No idea about the baffles, still haven't gotten the boat wet yet. Will report back later.

To completely illuminate the gas smell, you can install the new EPA-certified tanks and charcoal filter systems, but that gets expensive. Toyota covered the $1000 repair to the charcoal filter in my landcruiser, caused be me 'topping off the tank,' so I am not convinced the technology has quite been figured out yet. For older boats, you are not required to replace with the new EPA-system.

[DonV]

hummmmm......the baffle issue on a large/long tank could be a problem?!?! However I had one in my Pathfinder from the factory that gave me no problems, 50 gallons if I remember correctly, but it was more a cube shape versus a long rectangle.

[nestorpr]

I have a 100-gallon tank in mine and it's still working flawlessly, no sloshing or fuel smell.

[bumpdraft]

Just started the process of getting new transom and deck. I got the t-top, console and live well and part of the fuel tank cover out on my 23. The tank doesnÂ’t look bad and as far as I can tell it doesnÂ’t leak, however it just turned 19 years old. I got the part number and called the manufacturer that I purchased it from. Price, when they start making tanks for consumers and not businesses will be anywhere from 1500-2000 dollars. Price of aluminum is skyrocketing now, so the poly tank has got me interested.

[rcnight]

Pretty sure that’s how I’m going. Check out Summit Racing for good prices.

[Beaver]

I don’t know about 100 gallon plus but I put a 40 gallon poly in my 18 and have zero regrets.

[Seacraftwalkaround]

80 gal from mueller was great in my old 23. Thinking about putting one in current 73 potter boat. Only issue 100 gal don’t seem to fit in original tank coffin

[DonV]

Originally Posted by bumpdraft

Just started the process of getting new transom and deck. I got the t-top, console and live well and part of the fuel tank cover out on my 23. The tank doesnÂ’t look bad and as far as I can tell it doesnÂ’t leak, however it just turned 19 years old. I got the part number and called the manufacturer that I purchased it from. Price, when they start making tanks for consumers and not businesses will be anywhere from 1500-2000 dollars. Price of aluminum is skyrocketing now, so the poly tank has got me interested.

Skyrocketing??? NSS!!

I remember when we were pricing an aluminum bracket for my brother's SC, he had to make a deposit to get the quoted price which was only good for a couple of days. Aluminum prices were going up so fast his tanks and bracket's pricing changed every week!! Shoot that was a couple of years ago before our fearless leader "Brandon" had the chance to screw everything up!!