On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:49:51 -0500, Gene Kearns
wrote:
On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:56:33 -0600, observer penned the following well
considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:
On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:16:54 GMT, "Tom G"
wrote:
observer wrote in message
...
I've been outa the boat scene for 30 years but at that time I had a
18' outboard. I recall we had 2 metal 6 gal tanks (not built in) and
I think another metal 12 or 18 gal tank. Nowadays are the tanks
still metal or heavy plastic? And do they still have 6 gal tanks for
the outboard motors? Just trying to catch up with the same boats of
today. thanks.
Looks like the smaller motors come with 6 gallon plastic tanks which I've
not had good luck with. They expand during the heat of the day, which tends
to permanently deform the bottom of the tank so it doesn't fit flat to the
floor of the boat. Then at night, they'll suck in, further deforming. All
of this expanding and contracting seems to pull in air from outside with
it's moisture which the alcohol in the fuel then pulls into the gas mixture.
Also, I've noticed little cracks in the plastic at the edges from the
movement. Steel tanks are still available to purchase at some of the big
boating retailers (catalogue and on line). I picked up a couple of used
ones the other day for $5 each and they're going to replace my plastic ones
Tom G.
Thanks Tom. I guess I have a lot of catching up to do 
but
somehow I think I can still handle a similar boat. At that time, our
last outboard was a Evinrude 125 hp 2cyl, if that matters.
Thanks again!!
ps-- I didn't mean to start a flame over this. Just trying to update
my knowledge/memory . Sorry about being the cause of the flames.
ROFL..... if you think those are flames, you don't visit here much!
Seriously, though.... as Eisboch suggests, keeping the tank full is
the best solution.... but short of that, I think there is no real harm
in leaving the vent open in such a small tank.... unless the boat is
stored for a longer period of time, in which case if it isn't premix
I'd put the surplus into the car or lawn mower.
Since my son is not the most responsible in keeping the tank full, I
just make sure the vent is open. That is easier to deal with than fuel
dripping out of the garboard drain.
You're right I don't visit here a lot but I can take the flames if I
must.
I'm not so sure I'd like to leave a gas tank vented when the boat is
docked and I'm not there because of the fumes and some idiot smoking
nearby. But as I recall we never left much gas in the tanks when the
boat was docked say more than a couple of hours. There was also the
possibility of theft even at a good marina then. No need to give them
free gas tho as I recall (some will laugh at this, gas was well under
a buck a gallon then... I'm thinking it was like 50 to 60 cents/gal).
BTW, what does gas usually run at the marinas, say this past summer?
Normally we tried to gas up at the gas station because it was cheaper
but it was harder because you had to lug the gas tank back to the boat
so the marinas we more convenient of course.
And if it matters (probably doesn't) we had a 18' Wellcraft back when
Wellcraft was a fairly new company. The boat was a double fiberglass
v-hull (deep V actually I think) but I guess by today's stds., pretty
plain but it served us well and we took pretty good care of it. In
fact many years later we sold it and it was still in good shape so the
next buyer got a bargain. If I lived closer to water, there is no
doubt I'd have a boat again and probably an outboard even tho I recall
they always seem to break down. I have A LOT of good memories with
our boat. I remember once doing a good deed for a Donzi owner towing
him into shore (his motor stopped) and he told me he'd give me a ride
when it worked again and he did. Boy that boat was fast. I remember
seeing the Cigarettes in the ocean when I was at the beach and always
wishing I had one of them. Ok, left me stop mumbling
.
Forgive me... just too many memories of boating.