Gas tank placement/securing

[Speedwagon]

The current gas tank, while unsecured and just sitting there apparently, is on the side opposite the helm. I've thought about moving it to the floor(not sure if it would fit or not yet), while I redo the floor in the boat.<br /><br />If I'm at the helm, while the boat is in the water, it leans to my side. Would this be even worse if I center the gas tank? And does this matter much(the leaning, that is)?<br /><br />Oh, and it has a bracket welded to it, to screw the tank down. Should I use that, or glass it in place? I worked for a custom boat company for a few months, and they 'glassed all the tanks in place.<br /><br />edit: To add, when I fill my boat's tank up at the pump(on a trailer), by the time the auto shut off kicks in, I get a small shower of gas on me from kick back. Is there a way I can avoid this when I put the tank back in?

 

[epresutti]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Speedwagon,<br /><br />The installation instructions for my plastic tank said allow for 3-5% expansion of the tank in all directions. Not sure about aluminum.<br /><br />The tank will sweat so you need to allow for that, definately do not encase it in foam or fiberglass.<br /><br />Generally the tank should be secured so it doesn't move and allowed to expand and sweat.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

If you install the tank below deck, you will lower the center of gravity of the boat. Therefore, it should not list more than what it is now. A set of smart tabs could help correct that to a degree. If you use the mounting bracket, make sure to put a marine grade sealant in the screw holes, water will find its way in otherwise. Glassing is another good option, probably a little more time consuming, but if you are doing some fiberglass work anyway...<br /><br />As to the gas shower, the auto pumps pump at a high rate of volume, more than what the tiny vent pipe on your boat can handle. I usually slow down when I think I'm getting close to full. Other than that, I think you could hold a lit propane torch in front of you to ignite any spray that may kick out....JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

i wouldn't 'glass' in the tank.. at all.. bad idea imho.. needs air around as per no condensate.. probably can't use the same tank.. cause of space restrictions.. no fret,, plastic is the way to go,,imho..<br /><br />set new tank on glued in wood pieces ( sleepers ) so to 'air' an use nylon straps with ss steel gear to hold down..if no bolt flange..

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

When I say glass it in, I don't mean encapsulate it. I mean use strips of glass to secure the tank to the floor/hull.<br /><br />And you can see the tank in this pic...<br />

 

[epresutti]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Speedwagon,<br /><br />Like Crab Bait said, plastic is a good alternative, looking at your pic, Tempo makes a tank designed to fit the shape of the hull. Check them out, you may find that it will fit fine. I am looking at the space where your crow bar is.<br /><br />Also looks like a few repairs have been made. Are your replacing the entire deck, Under tank and battery?<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Yea, it's all coming out. I have another thread for that one.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

I agree with getting a plastic "belly tank" to put under the floor, then put that aluminum one on e-bay. You should get a good price for it and it will offset the price of the new tank.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Do the belly tanks make the boat handle better? There seems to be an agreement to drop the tank lower, so I assume there is a reason there.<br /><br />This one might work...<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg..._id=238166&list_time=1144994451&view_id=40328 <br /><br />But it is a bit wider than the current stringers. The middle stringers are about 17" wide, and 9" tall. Would it be a problem to move them further out, to accomodate the tank? And with the height of that tank, I could do a cross support(or just build a sub floor for a compartment) on top of the tank. Oh, that that tank would about double my fuel capacity.<br /><br />And why is this smaller tank:<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...ber=3&category_id=238166&list_time=1144995508 <br />Almost TWICE the price?!?!

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Place the tank where your crowbar is. You can do what I did not allow air and water to circulate. <br />Get 4 stips of neoprene. Lay them under the tank to get it off the floor. In laying the stripes make one end higer than the other but parallel to the tank as much as you can so water will flow off the neoprene and under the tank. Thats how bayliner did my tank and it came out looking good with no signs of corrosion. To secure the tank lay a few strips of wet cloth on the top sides of the tank and the two stringers. I mean with epoxy. And thats glass cloth. That way if you have to remove the tank you simply grind the cloth between hull and tank. This is extemely secure also. Make sure the tank has a 1/2" space on both sides and top. You will be very happy you did this.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

Originally posted by Realgun:<br /> Place the tank where your crowbar is. You can do what I did not allow air and water to circulate. <br />Get 4 stips of neoprene. Lay them under the tank to get it off the floor. In laying the stripes make one end higer than the other but parallel to the tank as much as you can so water will flow off the neoprene and under the tank. Thats how bayliner did my tank and it came out looking good with no signs of corrosion. To secure the tank lay a few strips of wet cloth on the top sides of the tank and the two stringers. I mean with epoxy. And thats glass cloth. That way if you have to remove the tank you simply grind the cloth between hull and tank. This is extemely secure also. Make sure the tank has a 1/2" space on both sides and top. You will be very happy you did this.

I follow you most of the way on that.<br /><br />Looking at the design of the tank, they allow water to flow underneath(center) towards the rear of the boat. So what do you mean by now allowing air and water to circulate? Obviously, I need a small section open at the rear of the tank for the connections.<br /><br />Not quite sure I follow how you suggest laying the neoprene out. If there's 1/2" on the sides to the stringers, then the neoprene must all go underneath. But why 4 strips? Why not just 2 then? Or are you suggesting I double up on them maybe, so 2 thick?<br /><br />And what kind of corrosion would there be? It's a plastic tank, so what's to corrode?<br /><br />The obvious benefit is a larger fuel capacity, but why am I going to be glad I did this? Or are you going to torture me, and make me wait to find out? <br /><br />And is that copper pipe you used to allow the water flow to the bilge?

 

[Realgun]

Re: Gas tank placement/securing

No there are 4 strips to hold the tank two on each side. That fuel tank is heavy when full and bouncing around! There is no copper thats a plastic pipe in the bulkhead.<br />I used the original Aluminium tank.<br /><br />I meant lay two stips on each side but put the top of the strip near the front of the tank an inch higher up than the rear of the strip on the other end of the tank so water does not get trapped.<br /><br />I would still make sure you have a bit of room around the tank for expansion and condensation to get out.