Zodiac Fuel Baldder

spartacus · 15 November 2019, 07:54

So, one of my generally daft ideas is to get a fuel bladder. Zodiac MilPro make one, holds 22.7 litres, tested for heli-drop, underwater caché, you know the sort of thing everyone needs!

They also cost a small fortune, so I'd be looking for second hand. I normally carry 55 litres (rigid 25 itrel fuel tanks and spare 5 litre) on board, enough for a day out fishing and we rarely have to use the reserve tank as I call it!

On the Ribcraft, the fuel tanks sit under the double jockey console, connect to a fuel connector, run through a fuel filter in the console housing, back under the deck through the witches hat and into the engine.

Now part of the reason I want additional fuel, without going turning the boat into something the Navy Seals would use is we were at the Summer Isles in the summer (stayed at Ardmair). An absolute boating paradise, but short of a haul back into Ullapool to top up, its pretty remote. We also want to venture a little further if we go again this year and the reserve bladder would be peace of mind. I know I could opt for a rigid tank, but would need to strap down at the back (I already carry an Avon 8 tender deflated) plus the usual kit.

The fuel bladder would sit nicely on one of the tubes rope cuffs, using the integral stainless steel carabinas. Only thing I'm thinking, do I just detatch and place under the seats to sit on top of the existing tanks, or get additional fuel pipe and genuine Tohatsu connector to run from its location on the rope cuff under the seats, etc.

Now these things do come up for sale occasionally second hand. New they are $1k.

Thoughts? Anyone got one for sale?

Pikey Dave · 15 November 2019, 09:38

I’d looked at something like these for my newly acquired SIB, I like the concept. The ones I’ve looked at (ex RNLI) only seem to have a small hole for filling them up. I’m assuming you have to decant from a Jerry van via a funnel or syphon rather than at a fuel pump.

jeffstevens763@g · 15 November 2019, 09:49

i looked into these too they do come up but around £150 the cheapest. try looking on army surplus. there's also some slim plastic tanks that they use for off road stuff bikes, cars i'll try and find a link

https://rotopax.com/

jeffstevens763@g · 15 November 2019, 11:12

dont know how good these are

https://www.bonanzamarket.co.uk/list...la=1&gpid=3187

Kennyboy · 15 November 2019, 20:37

Dare I suggest....

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3289...4-10b0c2719ec6

spartacus · 16 November 2019, 08:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kennyboy

Dare I suggest....

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3289...4-10b0c2719ec6

Thanks, but 40 litres is way too much. Looks like the sort of thing you could carry in a box trailer, but I doubt it's robust enough in a marine environment. Made in China, enough said.

spartacus · 16 November 2019, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

i looked into these too they do come up but around £150 the cheapest. try looking on army surplus. there's also some slim plastic tanks that they use for off road stuff bikes, cars i'll try and find a link

https://rotopax.com/

They do come up from time to time. You're right, £150 is about right. I'll wait. The Zodiac MilPro stuff is the real deal. They are probably over-spec'd for what I need, but that said, 22 litres of fuel strapped to the side of a RIB exposed to a marine environment and extremes of temperature (it happens from time to time in high summer), then its needs to be up to the job.

spartacus · 16 November 2019, 08:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I’d looked at something like these for my newly acquired SIB, I like the concept. The ones I’ve looked at (ex RNLI) only seem to have a small hole for filling them up. I’m assuming you have to decant from a Jerry van via a funnel or syphon rather than at a fuel pump.

Suspect you're right. Would probably need to fill it via a jerry can and funnel. In fact a 5 litre portable fuel can is probably the way to go given the weight. Emptying 22 litres from a jerry can sounds a bit too desert rat for me!

Stevem · 16 November 2019, 08:35

One will come up and in my opinion worth waiting for especially if space is premium, their obvious advantage being they pack away quite small once emptied.

I have one and though not recommended for filling at the fuel station they fill nicely as the weight of the fuel keeps the bag almost upright and my local garage doesn't mind me filling it there.

jeffstevens763@g · 16 November 2019, 10:15

Rotopax no good? Very slim
Seaflex do them new
Knights of Plymouth get them in none at the moment
Mod sites best I think to look

jeffstevens763@g · 16 November 2019, 15:46

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Outboard-...QAAOSwH51dyD~v

Roflhat · 19 November 2019, 21:24

Most of the flexi tanks tend to hold more than advertised, mine is meant to be 18 or 22l I think but can take close to 30 at full capacity. Saying that I rattle through it in no time, been on the look out for a bigger one, sent Milpro Zodiac a message, £972 + VAT and shipping.
Got mine from liquid containment, Australia. Not too expensive compared to Zodiac, not sure I'd trust one of the China ones!

jeffstevens763@g · 29 November 2019, 11:49

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Avon-Zodiac-...4AAOSwZBhc2VY6

Orwell boy · 29 November 2019, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Avon-Zodiac-...4AAOSwZBhc2VY6

looks like a great solution ,i have been impressed with the space saving possibilities myself ,however studying the listing closer i see these things are 31cm,s diameter when full and a metre long

.
Athough 20 litre cans are too bulky i strap a pair of the decent yam (from bottomline marine) 10 litre cans straddling the tie down in front of the anchor locker in my 5.3. not perfect but out the way

spartacus · 29 November 2019, 20:21

Guess what arrived after a day in the office (working late and having endured a train journey home in minus degree temperatures)?

Yep, the real deal, a second hand Zodiac MilPro fuel bladder. (Usual EBay disclaimer). My wife is suitably unimpressed and wondering why she's contributed towards this potentially flammable Christmas present.

Now I bought this this knowing it's used, not working. It still has sand and grit inside. Navy Seals or SBS probably had this before me had landed on a beach in Mogadishu under the cover of darkness.

First thing to do is clean it up and pressure test it. These things cost $1k+ so I'm sure it can handle a degrease and general tidy up in the family bath. Need to order genuine Tohatsu fuel connectors and a length of full hose.

I haven't been this excited since I got an Atari console back in the mid 80s!

HDAV · 29 November 2019, 21:15

Anyone else looking.....

https://www.gumtree.com/p/boats-kaya...rs-/1359622012

spartacus · 30 November 2019, 10:33

Goodness knows where this has been? Definately been sand and seawater in it. There's no holes, thank goodness.

Had it the bath to wash it (on account of minus temperatures outside). You can see why these things are expensive, the fuel cap is a work of art, like aircraft grade alloy turned from scratch. Had to strip it down as male fuel connector was leaking. Turn out grit was stopping the ball-stop from closing.

Check the size of the piece of stone I found inside the fuel bladder. These SBS fellas must have really put it through its paces.