deisel tank

For plastic, Tek Tanks; Plastimo or Vetus - probably others. For stainless tanks you'll probably have to have one made to suit. I replaced a rusty steel tank with a Plastimo plastic tank and I'm pleased with it. I picked it up from a local chandlery who had had it returned as they couldn't fit it in so I got it at a good price. Don't bother with the 'mechanical' fuel gauge you can buy for this tank, I found it unreadable in practice. The plastic tank will need fitting on a solid plywood base, strapped down with ratchet straps. Some plastic tanks are a translucent plastic when you can see the fuel level but the Plastimo tank is red so not possible! Go to their websites and you can see the various sizes.
 
Plastic is fine. You can get standard size tanks from Vetus. Their 25 litre tank is commonly used in small yachts, but they have a range of larger tanks if you have the space. See their catalogue on www.vetus.co.uk pages 98 and 99. Alternatively you can have a custom made one from Tek Tanks, also in plastic. Trafalgar Yacht Services may have a source for the originals.

BTW plastic tanks meet all safety requirements for diesel fuel. Some peole prefer stainless, but it is often more expensive.
 
Hi, all car fuel tanks are plastic nowadays, so I see no problem with my installation as the tank is not in the same 'compartment' as the engine. All plastic fuel tanks are 'approved' (I think).
 
We took the old mild steel fuel tank of our Konsort to a stainless steel fabricator, and he turned out an identical tank (even down to the screw fixing plates) in SS for less cost than plastic tanks. Also, as it is in the same area as the engine, I know it will not melt if there was a fire.

Plastic tanks in cars are OK, as you can get out of the car and walk away. The only person who has been able to walk on water was JC - Oh yes, and someone on UTube.
 
A 40 litre tank with fittings from Vetus is under £200. You need to measure your space and look in the catalogue.
 
Plastic tanks are also almost universal on production yachts. They meet all fire resistance requirements, including BWB. Risk is vastly over exaggerated.

Downside of SS tanks is the quality of the welds - how many times do we see a post here asking how to deal with leaking seams?
 
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Would plastic one be better

How would this perform in the event of a fire on board?

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If the fire has got to the point of being round my diesel tank or the average location on a Pageant ... Centaur - I wouldn't want to be on the boat anyway.

Plastic is fine. BUT don't forget you can use the old tank with top cut out as holder for a flex-tank if no sharp edges etc. or if inspection point is large enough pass a flexi tank inside without removing top.
 
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