When Are New Fuel Tanks Required

[Fishtales]

I'm getting ready to do the scupper drains this layup period. Wondering how long fuel tanks last. I generally proactively do things and changing out the 150 and 156 gal tanks and all lines will likely be done this way instead of waiting for a leak. I'd like to get both of these behind me before the last biggie - repowering. Do folks have input on how long the tanks last?

tx

 

[Hookup1]

Mine are 25 year old aluminum tanks. They have been on my list to do. 2023 will be the year!

 

[PointedRose]

I agree worth getting in front of before it becomes a problem. If your new one installed is poly you wouldn’t need to worry again but you probably wouldn’t get the same level of capacity. Rule of thumb would be 20 years but certainly could be longer.

 

[Joe Hurley]

33.5 years . After a recent trip to a big gas tank fabricator in New Jersey I would say that time is not as much an issue as environment, mounting, and all the other obvious things that corrode a tank are. My 89 overnighter tank looked like a gem sitting on the ground next to one’s half it’s age this fall. Good luck with the project!

 

[Fishtales]

Better than I thought.... Will hold off for a while longer.

 

[seasick]

There is no hard and fast rule for the life expectancy of a tank.
One thing you can do as preventative maintenance it to use your nose! Pull the deck plates over the tank ends and smell.
If there is always a smell of gas, you may have a leaky tank. The smell could be hoses too. If the fill hose is leaky ( more permeable too) generally the smell will be greater after gassing up. If the smell is greater when the tank is more full, you might have a leaky sender flange connection.
Most tank leaks start small, are caused by electrolysis and occur on the bottom of the tank when the tank, mounts, bulkheads or stringers bear the weight of the tank
Tanks that are foamed in may be more prone to corrosion if the foam gets moist.

 

[Fishtales]

Thanks.

 

[Timcan]

My aux tank was replaced by the previous owner. When I purchased the boat in 2020 I pulled the main hatch out and inspected the original main tank at the time the tank looked pretty good. This winter I’m pulling the main tank out for inspection and to re-epoxy, I will be also replacing gas fill hoses. Gas tanks are expensive and a safety issue. If I can do a little preventive maintenance and get another 20 years I’m all for that.

 

[5-Salt]

Installed new Aux Tank this past summer to increase capacity and improve ride.

Pulled main tank covers to replace fuel lines - main is 25yr original.
Main looked to be in nearly a good condition as new aux tank and to date have never had fuel smell under inspection covers from fueling or operating.

Boat is trailered and only ever moored in fresh water for first 10 summers by original owner.
Since, she's been used primarily in west coat saltwater but never moored for more than 7-10days a season

Boat is 1997 Voyager 249

 

[Fishtales]

nice install...

 

[Hookup1]

Nice! I only mine look that good when I do them next year.

 

[Timcan]

5-Salt very clean install. How difficult was it to replace the fill hose on the auxiliary tank. How did you run the new hoses?

 

[5-Salt]

5-Salt very clean install. How difficult was it to replace the fill hose on the auxiliary tank. How did you run the new hoses?

Like all larger diameter marine hoses it had it challenges.

-Disconnected filler hose from tank,
-Loosen filler neck hose clamps just enough to slide them down being very careful not to let clamps drop down hose under floors
and re- tightened the bottom clamp to prevent sliding down

-Removed filler neck hold-down screws/lock nuts
-Pushed filler hose from tank end to where filler neck extended 4-5in inch out of hull opening into make it easier to separate filler neck from old hose.
-Removed Filler Neck hose clamps from old hose

-Cleaned old hose end at filler end, and taped to new filler hose using electricians tape.
-Used old filler hose to pull new hose(s) through the filler neck hull opening and down to to Tank fitting.
-A few f-bombs muttered quietly to myself, little wiggle, push-pull, and all came into position.

Pulled the new filler vent hose in opposite direction - tank to filler neck - because the vent hose is flexible enough to travel out into cockpit before

 

[5-Salt]

Thanks!

Clean install of tanks courtesy of bleach hull cleaner spay and pressure washer rinse.

 

[Timcan]

Thank you for tips I appreciate that.