New fuel tank

[farmallman]

I am about to install a new 125 gallon aluminum fuel tank. It is a belly tank and will be permanent below deck. I am having a hard time deciding to leave it bare aluminum or coat it with 2 part 235 Epoxy. The fabricator that has been building tanks for 30+ years said to leave it bare and not to foam it in. I plan not to foam it in. The mounts are on the bottom ends of the tank and are spot welded. The mounts will be on Neoprene rubber strips sealed with 5200. Are their any opinions out there ?

Thanks for any advise on this.

 

[kcassells]

Def. no foam. Lots of thoughts on this subject. The most recent is that the tank forms it's own barrier coat and needs nothing else.
Thats the way I did it. Let ya know in 20 yrs how its held up.

 

[alldodge]

If the tank area is vented so air get around it, then you should be good. If its sealed in, then might want to epoxy paint it. Was the original tank foamed?

 

[farmallman]

I will have 2 round hatch covers i plan to open when its under my pole barn and will get a decent vent through a rear bulkhead.

 

[tpenfield]

If the original tank was foamed in, it may have contributed to the overall strength of the boat. So, something that you may want to take into consideration.

 

[kcassells]

Here's a good read.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm

 

[alldodge]

If it was foamed in, I would re-foam. While there are ways to keep water away from the tank, the issue is IF water stays against the tank. Nothing last forever, as in my 95 which I replaced the tank. It lasted 20 years, and would have lasted much longer if my water tank did not start leaking. The water tank was also aluminum, so it had no chance of surviving, its now plastic.

 

[kcassells]

Here's a good read......seriously? That procedure of installation is so way old.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm
Your boat do what you want.

 

[alldodge]

Here's a good read......seriously? That procedure of installation is so way old.
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/fueltank.htm
Your boat do what you want.

Double post ??? or something else ???

 

[kcassells]

Yea musta been a double post. Good yappin with ya AllDodge.

 

[GA_Boater]

KC is having an argument. I think he's losing to himself. :lol:

 

[kcassells]

Did I win?

 

[Sea18Horse]

What just happened? I'm so confused!

 

[kcassells]

IDK ask Ga.