Petrol tank manufacture

[extravert]

Is stainless steel a suitable material from which to make a petrol tank?

Are there companies around who can do this? Can anyone recommend one?

What sort of price range would I be looking at for a simple shape 8 gallon tank with all the required fittings (filler cap, breather, gauge, outlet pipe)?

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[Talbot]

It is, but IMHO the plastic ones are better although I believe you have to have metal for inland waterways - see:

Tek Tanks or ASAP or Vetus for preformed tanks.

Tek Tanks for custom shapes,

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve_cronin]

I wouldn't go to the expense and trouble of a stainless tank unless you are going to keep the boat a long time.
I had a mild steel tank boxed in to the cockpit of a boat that I kept for 17 years. Before fitting into it's box it was coated with waxoil and vehicle underseal and a watertight grommet (from an MG Midget) was fitted around the filler neck because I figured that the weld between the tank and the neck was a rust danger point. It was seventeen years ago that I sold that boat and it has been reported to me that the boat and it's tank are still going strong. I remember that it cost £23 so not bad for 34 years use!

I made the box top removeable for inspection and maintenance but not much of the latter was required.

Oh yes, the source of the tank?
It was from the local Leyland Vans dealer as a small truck tank. It had baffles, outlet and vent on standard brass gas thread fittings and a standard neck onto which could have been fitted an extension if required. You can trawl around Iveco, Ford and Vauxhall dealers and I'm sure you will find a rectangular tank with all the fittings to suit your needs.

On the next boat (also petrol) we fitted a rectangular polythene tank which I bought in the Florida keys and brought back as regular luggage. That was good too but when I got home I found that the filler sealing ring was missing. We did manage to get a replacement though. The boat aftyer that (diesel) had a poly tank like the American one, as standard fitting. I wouldn't waste my money on stainless.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[wooslehunter]

If you do get a tank made, make sure that there's an inspection hatch that allows arm access into all areas. That's the only way you'll get it clean. Even so use an external fuel filter until you're sure it's clean.

We had one made proffesionally and it was supplied "clean" and fitted into a RIB. I would have bee a major undertaking to get it out again.

It took a year to get clean fuel.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[vyv_cox]

I had persistent problems of rust inside a mild steel tank on a boat that I bought. Large flakes of rust that spalled off the inside kept blocking the discharge pipe. Before they were made of plastic, car fuel tanks were made of Terne plate, lead coated mild steel to combat the corrosion.

I believe that Steve's experience is not the norm, maybe his petrol supplier had exceptionally good bunkerage. Much petrol, from garage forecourts and marine bunkers, is contaminated with water. We see many problems with pumps, manifolds and pipework that have been corroded by this water.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[steve28]

get a suitable sized car one, they fit the bill and last for ages if they are waxoiled externally !
they also have a fuel gauge fitted !

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[extravert]

That won't fit my space. The problem is that I have a vented locker in the cockpit in which currently sits a normal plastic outboard tank containing a miserly 22 litres. Because of the shape of the locker there is lots of wasted space, but I cannot get a bigger outboard plastic tank to fit. The only way I will be able to use the wasted space is to get a tank manufactured specially to fit in the available shape.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[steve_cronin]

The metal tank only ever held two stroke mixture and the boat was on a mooring in Poole Harbour so I suppose that it self protected itself. Sounds as if the original poster is talking two tee too!

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[extravert]

Not 2-stroke, just plain petrol for a 4-stroke Yamahaha. I know a stainless tank will be expensive, but I would be prepared to pay the extra cost to avoid rust.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[chippie]

I saw an effective stainless petrol tank that had been made out of two(secondhand?)
stainless large kitchen sinks welded together with one of the outlets patched over.
Given that these are commonly available from demolition outlets, the owner had his stainless tank for not much more than the price of the welding. It appealed to me because i am a cheapskate. The flange where it had been welded had split hose fitted over it for neatness.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[john_morris_uk]

I don't know why people seem to be averse to a stainless tank? I've had two made for various projects and they didn't cost the proverbial arm and a leg. Measure and draw the tank you want, and get a few quotes. For cash, there are lots of stainless welders that will do one in their lunch time over a few days. You can get plastic tanks made to order, and I've heard good things about them, but no personal experience. See the ads in the back of PBO etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

There are plenty of companys out there who supply flexi tanks and also plastics to fit weird shapes / sizes etc. A look in the back of the mags and a few phone calls will have you fixed up ... without the expense of Stainless etc .......

But if you go Stainless ...... it is VERY suitable material and would last literally the life of the boat or more !!! But expensive !!


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
/forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[Guest]

Truck tanks ....

I have a medium size mild-steel tank from a small truck fitted under the ford stbd bunk ..... with standard car-typ access plate. It can have a gauge fitted it wanted .....

The simplest one is the standard land-rover type from type 2-3's ...... a very simple mechanical sender to a needle gauge.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
/forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[TheBoatman]

I am currently getting a petrol tank made for a rib. It is being made to our sizes/ design to fit inside the center console.
It is made of Ali and holds 50 litres. Has baffles, filler, vent conections etc. the cost is £400 inc vat. It is pressure tested and guaranteed.
The place I went for this was a Truck fitting shop. these places are used for making specialised tanks in either stainless or Ali because most off the shelf trucks/lorries don't come with big enough fuel tanks and these people specialise in manufacturing/fitting them. I suggest you try looking in your yellow pages for specialist welding tank suppliers.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[extravert]

Re: Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

Is a flexi-tank suitable for petrol? They seem to have a habit of splitting when they get old.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[BarryH]

Stainless steel is ok for petrol tanks, My boat was fitted with one from new. For having one made to your requirements have a word with Boatone on the Mobo forum. He had a nice one made of about 100 gallons I think. Nice job and not a lot of money.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tr7v8]

Re: Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

The vast majority of cars are fitted with Plastic tanks these days, so would be Ok in a boat. However the dozy BSS doesn't accept them.

<hr width=100% size=1>Jim

Draco 2500

 

[Guest]

Re: Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

Anything will split if not properly supported. BUt I've checked over many a boat and no problem.

Bet your O/Bd tank is plastic ?????


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
/forums/images/icons/cool.gif

 

[extravert]

Re: Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

My outboard tank is plastic, but rigid plastic. I have nothing against storing petrol in plastic assuming that it is suitable. Can I get a plastic tank made to a custom shape though? If I can I was not aware of it, which was why I thought of stainless.

When you say flexible tank, I have in mind the flexible bladder type used for water storage. Are there really versions of these suitable for petrol? I have had one of these split (correctly supported as well), and would have reservations about storing petrol in something similar.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[Guest]

Re: Tek-Tanks / Flexi tanks etc.

Have a word with TEK-TANKS ........

www.tek-tanks.com

or any other of the supliers in back of mags ....... They do make semi-rigid and rigid to design ....... and with all bits and pieces as well - I would think is cheaper or same as plain stainless tank.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I came - cos they said was FREE Guinness !
/forums/images/icons/cool.gif