BoatBanter.com - gas tanks

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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.

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.

observer wrote in message
...
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.

BTW, sounds like the metal gas cans may be better for you but they
aren't perfect either. Over the years the moisture can get to the
bottom of the cans (welds) too tho I don't recall ours leaking at the
time but I think we were aware we would at some point have to replace
the rusty ones. I can't speak from experience but I guess based on
what you say, maybe the metal ones last longer but not forever. I
also recall the metal ones when in operation during the day do build
up a lot of vapor pressure (at least they did of that decade) and when
we would gas them up we opened up the caps slowly to allow them to
vent the gas vapor .... and no, no one dared to smoke at that moment
tho I was/am a non-smoker so no problem for me g.

Had one years ago that decided to leak out though a rust hole in the bottom
seam. Luckily was in the side yard at the time and not out boating that
day.

On Nov 6, 2:09 pm, Gene Kearns
wrote:
On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:50:34 -0500, penned the following
well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

If brains were dynamite, you apparently wouldn't have enough to blow
your nose

Yep. I think we could call that a "cut 'n run."

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepagehttp://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguidehttp://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats

Well, the guy did say that if you use your boat, moisture is not a
problem! Maybe when he runs out of gas in the middle of a large body
of water, he can **** in his tank to get home.....

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:01:10 -0600, observer wrote:

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.

Metal tanks? That goes back a ways.

The late model tanks are made of a poly material with integral vents
in the filler caps. They are fairly strong, but will tend to flex if
left in the sun for a while if you don't have the cap vented - just
like the gas can you use on your lawn equipment but not as bad as they
have thicker sides.

It all depends on the boat with respect to internal tanks.

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:50:21 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:01:10 -0600, observer wrote:

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.

Metal tanks? That goes back a ways.

Are you saying I'm old g? I know if the shoe fits wear it. I may
not be old yet but I'm getting there (my college age daughters say I'm
old).

The late model tanks are made of a poly material with integral vents
in the filler caps. They are fairly strong, but will tend to flex if
left in the sun for a while if you don't have the cap vented - just
like the gas can you use on your lawn equipment but not as bad as they
have thicker sides.

I recall the metal ones had a gage on them to give you an idea how
much gas was in the tank (of course you could pick it up a bit and
from experience you could tell by the weight without looking at the
gage). I guess with plastic ones you can see the gas from the side
or do they still have some type of gage on top (I'm referring to the
portable 6 gal. tanks)?

It all depends on the boat with respect to internal tanks.

Forgot to say thanks for your reply.

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.

observer wrote in message
...

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:49:51 -0500, Gene Kearns
wrote:

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.

Hello observer .....

I apologize if you took my comment about keeping the tank full as being a
smart ass comment.
Didn't intend it that way.

I have a old, 13' Whaler and use a couple of the plastic tanks, one 6 gallon
and the other is 3 gallons. Both have a fuel gage (part of the filler cap)
with a small vent in the center.

As far as I know, the only reason to tighten the vent cap is when you are
transporting the tank and don't want spillage. Otherwise, I leave the vent
slightly cracked to equalize the internal pressure as the vapors expand and
contract.

The reason to keep it as full as possible is that it minimizes the amount of
humid air being drawn into the tank. If you are regularly using the boat
and engine, I don't think it's much of a concern.

Eisboch