bladder fuel tanks

The Jackeens · 27 December 2003, 22:34

Where do you get these beasties from ??

I've tried international marine - no joy

Tried a search - no joy !!!! apart from monsterous tanks 400 ltr plus.

Just looking for something around the 50/70 mark.

Chow for now TTFN

Paul

Manos · 28 December 2003, 08:35

There was a thread sometime ago about flex fuel tanks. Tried to find it but had no luck. Can any one remember where you can buy some durable 50 or 100 ltr flex tanks competitively priced?
Compass, WestMarine and the like sell them but they are so damn expenssive!!

ribraff · 28 December 2003, 09:23

Try Paul Tilley 01803833309

Cookee · 28 December 2003, 09:25

Paul - have a look at the Seaflex site although they don't mention it they apparently make the RNLI bladder tanks.

According to Ribraff, Paul Tilley who I can personally recomend makes them which I didn't know! (you learn something every day!) He is registered on here so maybe a PM will get his attention, either that or PM me and I will let you have his number

As mentioned by Alan Priddy, they are difficult to fill, have a shorter life than other tanks, and are expensive!

All the best in your search,

by the way the info came from This thread

The Jackeens · 28 December 2003, 09:46

Thanks lads - I.ve PM'ed Paul. His site is http://www.tidel.biz and like the seaflex site it doesn't mention petrol tanks.

Thanks cookie don't know how I missed that thread after all my searching last night

Gives something extra to think about regarding the filling

Paul

ps HOW MUCH DO THEY COST APX

here

Manos · 28 December 2003, 09:49

Jackeen just emailed Paul asking for details for 70 ltrs flex fuel tanks. Will let you know asap I have the info.
I need about 6-7 for my business.

PS Thanks Cookee good info!!

Richard B · 28 December 2003, 11:01

Also Paul Lemmer is the UK distributor for Nauta fuel tanks http://www.ribsltd.co.uk/Nauta.htm

The Jackeens · 28 December 2003, 11:59

Thanks Richard,

Do you have much difficulty filling yours

Seb · 28 December 2003, 14:46

Avon Inflatables make flexi fuel tanks for their MoD and commercial RIBs - try them.

SEB

Richard B · 28 December 2003, 17:05

Quote:

Originally posted by jackeen
Do you have much difficulty filling yours

No, dead easy to fill... but a sod to empty into the main tank

The Jackeens · 28 December 2003, 18:18

Ya brings me back

What i was going to do was stick a male fuel connector on the outlet so when need just snap it on. Well thats the intention.

I remember reading a post of Alan's where he had another line going to the engine if/when he used the bladder. Is this still the installion on yours or was it taken out by your goodself or someone else.
and if so how come we didn't use it !!!!!!!!

Paul

Richard B · 29 December 2003, 17:46

Quote:

Originally posted by jackeen
how come we didn't use it !!!!!!!!

That was because...

1. I wanted the fuel in the main tank (I'm fussy like that!)
2. Didn't want the flexi-tank wobbling about on deck (remember it wobbled loose on the Friday?) Once emptied, we rolled it up and stowed it in the jockey.

The Jackeens · 29 December 2003, 18:07

Quote:

Originally posted by Richard B
That was because...

(remember it wobbled loose on the Friday?).

Thats onlyt because i'm crap at knots

Diesel · 30 December 2003, 11:10

Avon Make them for us at work. Try them.

surf1div1 · 17 February 2004, 06:00

Well, this is my first post- While the Nauta 18 gallon tank I had was purchased years ago, I had problems with them leaking by "sweating" the fuel through the sides- to the point that they weren't safe and there always was the tell-tale smell of leaking fuel. Just my .02 cents worth(yes, I'm from stateside- way across the channel ;-)...btw, this forum is EXCELLENT!!!! Why is it that you folks on the other side have such extensive experinece and partiality to RIB's- I can't find hardly anything stateside or even close to this degree. I've spent the better part of 3 hours this evening checking out this site- what a pleasure...

Arnold

Phil Chitty · 17 February 2004, 08:14

Hey Arnold

Good to have you aboard !!

Ref. flexable tanks.

The RNLI use large flexable tanks in their smaller D-Class inshore boats.

It might be worth calling them.

Number is 01202 663000.

paul tilley · 18 February 2004, 12:23

The RNLI use flexible tanks , but only in an above deck situation due to the fact that the fuel vapour does permeate through the fabric over a period of time . But i am just about to try a new material that has only just been developed that will not let the vapour through as has the added advantage of being see through to help you see when you have run out of fuel . I will post results and prices when tests are completed .

Phil Chitty · 18 February 2004, 12:26

Paul

Sounds interesting.

I look foward to seeing your results.

Does the product have a name?

surf1div1 · 19 February 2004, 03:59

Thanks Phil- it's good to be aboard...Yes, I'm I originally liked the advantages of the flexible tanks- as they use fuel, they take less space, and really appreciated that. I know that once, while the Nauta tank I had was under warranty, they stood behind it and replaced it, but I still had problems. I admit, the last few years the boat sat around in the garage, and didn't get much use, so maybe that had some impact, but, I've never heard of another tank having that problem where the fuel 'wicked' out of the tank- this is a concern. I'm curious if others, who actually own them for any length of time, have you had similar problems. This tank was at least 10 years old. None the less, I'm sure that the "tempo" manufacture tanks(those small 6 gallons ones we use here) never 'wore' out per say. Anyway, that's it for now. I'm in the process of shopping for another boat, and will post some questions here in the hopes of gleaming some info...thanks again for your welcomes, and I'll be in touch.

arnold