Custom Fuel Tank question....

[PC]

Hi,

I whould like to fit, in the bow, a new fuel tank (100L) in my RIB, but where I what it, it must be custom made .

Where I live, a stainless custom tank cost around 400£!!!!

But I can build one, in fiberglass/Polyester, for less than 100£!

My question is....
should I forget the fiberglass tank and buy the stainless ...... or can it be done with fiberglass/Polyester?


what's the problems with the fiber tank??


thanks
Paulo Cabrita

[This message has been edited by PC (edited 21 June 2000).]

[PC]

Hi,

I tried other shops, but they only have the usual "square" tank.

The only one that whould do a custom tank, to fit in my bow locker, it's a company specialized in 4WD racing cars!
They put a special foam, inside the tank, to limit the displacement of the fuel!

Paulo

[John Kennett]

Paulo

I would definitely go for the stainless steel option.

In my experience you are much less likely to have problems this way, although GRP tanks have been used successfully by some people too.

Have you tried shopping around for the steel tank? It's not a complicated job for an engineering company, so it shouldn't be too expensive!

John

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John Kennett
RIBnet

[Alan]

Paulo,
I have to agree with John. Our RIB had a built in fibreglass fuel tank when new which failed THE FIRST TIME we went out after taking delivery of the boat. 30 gallons of petrol in the bilge is not what you want happening! (The boat builder replaced the tank with a stainless one.) It sounds as though the custom tank you have a quote for is a very high spec motorsport item - the foam inside it is for fire prevention in the event of a crash and the tank rupturing. Apart from being expensive I wonder whether a tank such as this is appropriate for marine use?

I am fairly certain that you should be able to find a tank builder who can do one for less. Certainly in the UK if not Portugal. Failing that, have a look at the West Marine (US Chandler) catalogue (www.west-marine.com I think). They sell a range of polypropylene deck tanks which might serve the purpose. (Better than fibreglass but not as good as stainless!)

HTH,
Alan