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Geoff H. · 17-04-2014, 15:13

I've got one 43 gal. steel tank that's leaking. It's in a spot that will require removing one good (newish) tank to get it out, or, cutting it into pieces and removing as smaller.
Either way, what are my options for replacement? Do I have someone fabricate another steel tank, or??? Collapsible bladder(s)? What about an aluminum or poly tank made for auxiliary diesel tank on a truck? Found several in varying sizes by JME (Fuel Shotz) that look like they'd be possible fit.

Anyone have experience, thoughts, etc, ?

Thanks!

**David M** · 17-04-2014, 15:22

You can HDPE tanks in many sizes. Will never corrode on you.

Geoff H. · 17-04-2014, 16:10

Thanks David, HDPE is the poly (plastics) I think, right? I know Ford is using now as a auxiliary diesel tank to replace tanks on their trucks. Maybe find the right size already in market and fit to space?

Lojanica · 17-04-2014, 16:15

There are fiberglass tanks that are foldable as uncured kits. Insert through a hole cut int he old tank, inflate, resin cures with a uv bulb supplied with the kit to harden in place.

I suppose if the steel tank is baffled it would render the solution less desirable but it is worth considering.

Geoff H. · 17-04-2014, 16:22

Lojanica,
Really? Wow. Thanks. Never heard of. Where do I start finding?
Geoff

Cheechako · 17-04-2014, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoff H.

Lojanica,
Really? Wow. Thanks. Never heard of. Where do I start finding?
Geoff

Not sre how proven they are but they had the info in last months Sail or Cruising world mag.
Is the tank in the bilge? IF so, go plastic. The other consideration is do you need two tanks? what's the gallonage of the remaining good one? I think a lt of people find out they have too much fuel and it's going stale! Depends on your plans I guess...
Possible to cut the top off and put a plastic one that's smaller inside? with bracing etc...

Lojanica · 17-04-2014, 16:29

innotank

I stand corrected. These are for water only at present. You might contact them though as fuel cells will likely be next.

Geoff H. · 17-04-2014, 16:31

Yes Cheechaco, in bilge. Heading x south pacific next year and then asia, europe. The big dream. So want to retain capacity, not lose any. With this tank I carry about 200 gals.

Lojanica · 17-04-2014, 16:40

Another possibility. Convert this tank to a water tank with the insert then take a water tank and convert to diesel. May work also

Terra Nova · 17-04-2014, 16:57

Remove it in 1 piece and have an identical replacement made. Prime and paint before installation. I did this on my last boat with 970 gallons of diesel tanks.

Ambler · 17-04-2014, 18:33

I converted my fibreglass inbuilt diesel tank to water and had another tank for diesel made from stainless. The limiting fuel capacity factor was getting the new tank made to fit through the companionway!

Chasing Summer · 19-04-2014, 16:15

David ... my boat is all fiberglass and has fiberglassed in place both water and diesel tanks. My diesel tank is in the middle and all the way to the keel so I had two bildge areas ... no a good idea. So, I cut an access hole in the top if the tank, stuck my head and arms in there with a grinder, cut out the bottom 5 inches of the front and back bulkhead. I then made a false bottom and glassed it all in. Made a patch for the access hole, glassed it all in, and cut a new hand hole with the diesel fitting.
Why tell you all this? Simple ... cut an access hole in the top of your tank. Grind the surface so resin will adhere to it and lay the inside with matt / cloth until you get a good thinkness of glass. Five to seven layers should do it with maybe thicker on top where you want your access hole. Wa la ... a new tank :-)
See my blog a couple years ago for pictures.
Have fun

sabray · 19-04-2014, 16:29

You could just measure the tank and send the dimensions to a fabricator. In a week you will have a tank that fits. Go aluminum have it coated install and go west.

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