flexible fuel tanks

  • March 16, 2017 12:24 PM
    Message # 4671356
    Deleted user

    Like many of us my 32 has been remodeled by prior owner. He put in a nice Yanmar diesel but removed the old tanks and put in 1 small 12 gallon tank starboard side.  Trying to place a new port side tank looks difficult without removing the engine.  Anyone tried using the flexible tanks?  Seems like a reasonable solution. 1 could be placed in one of the lazarettes and pumped into the existing tank as fuel was consumed.


    Any thoughts?

  • March 16, 2017 6:13 PM
    Reply # 4672345 on 4671356

    Many years ago I worked for a company that made flexible tanks and I have installed them in a couple of boats including one I once owned.  The tanks I have installed were used for water and sewage. I have seen flexible tanks used for fuel, but I have no direct experience using them for fuel.  Some of the barge companies use them (huge ones) to transport fuel to remote Alaska locations.

    They're the easy answer for many installations.  Keep in mind that a flexible tank will chafe as the fluid inside sloshes around so securing the tank is very important.  It is also a good practice to pad the area where you place the tank to help minimize chafing.  I used 1/4" closed cell foam for padding. 

    The tanks (regardless of maker) never seem to hold as much as they're listed capacity...  Installing the fittings correctly into the tank is critical to eliminate leakage. 

    My 2 cents.

    Kevin 

  • March 16, 2017 9:17 PM
    Reply # 4672474 on 4671356
    Deleted user

    Thanks.   seems like a reasonable alternative.

  • March 25, 2017 4:57 PM
    Reply # 4690320 on 4671356

    John,

    If you want a small aluminum tank that will easily fir in the area, then make a cardboard mockup of the tank and slip it in to make sure it does fit.  Be sure to locate the deck fill to correspond to any fill plate already on the deck.  Use the mockup to make a drawing of the tank.  If you send the drawing to me, I can get a quite on making it, or you to can take the mockup to a local aluminum fabricator and have them make the tank for you..

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