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Plastic tank that fits in the fuel locker? FOUND!

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Initially Posted - 05/24/2011 : 16:35:21

I found [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=13738"]this thread from several years ago[/url], but it's locked so I can't respond to it. It looks like I'm going to be looking for another gas tank, and after my last experience with a metal tank, I'd like to find a plastic one that fits inside the C-250 fuel locker. I have a 3 gallon one that fits just fine, but I'd like to maximize the amount of fuel I can carry, so a six gallon tank seems in order.

Did anyone from the previous thread ever end up finding a plastic tank that fits?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - delliottg on 12/10/2011 18:26:44

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 17:30:56

Try this link:
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=13738

Edited by - on

delliottg
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 17:33:25

Yeah, that's the linked article in my first post. There was no resolution or model number offered that I saw, did I miss something?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 17:59:14

I had a 6 gallon plastic tank but it was so tight that I got rid of it and went back to the 3 gallon size. When we cruise we take two and strap one in by the swim ladder.

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dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 20:45:00

The older thread talked about a Tempo Valu6 tank, and one of the posts gave some dimensions.
Also, an Attwood #8872-4 as a possible fit.
Edit: looks like the Tempo Valu6 has been discontinued.

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/24/2011 20:59:09

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 21:02:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 The older thread talked about a Tempo Valu6 tank, and one of the posts gave some dimensions.
Also, an Attwood #8872-4 as a possible fit.
Edit: looks like the Tempo Valu6 has been discontinued.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Tempo is completely out of business. Moeller bought out what remained of their assets. I have not seen any sign that Moeller has adopted any of the Tempo gas tank designs into their product line.

A few years ago I called Tempo about a fuel gauge lens that had crazed severely on my Trophy boat. A real friendly guy offered to send me a replacement part for free. It never came, so a few weeks later I called to find out what happened. I told the girl on the phone when I had spoken to him and she told me that everyone was let go the next day.

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/25/2011 09:25:07

delliottg
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Response Posted - 05/24/2011 : 22:12:08

I took some measurements tonight, and neither the Attwood or Moeller tanks will fit, they're both too long.

What do new 250's come with?

Randy, do you recall who made your old tank?

Edited by - delliottg on 05/24/2011 22:14:35

OLarryR
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Response Posted - 05/25/2011 : 03:18:24

I am not familiar with the 250 fuel locker but I bought a new Honda 6 gallon fuel tank that seemed to have better overall dimensions for my boat and it does fit in the C25 '89 fuel locker. Perhaps, the dimensions are just a tad different in length compared to the MUeller/Tempo tanks. Believe Defender had the dimensions, otherwise check a Honda website.

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Skipper Paul
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Response Posted - 05/25/2011 : 08:10:45

Hi David,

Some years ago when I first started summertime traveling the Pacific Northwest, I also found the amount of fuel I was able to carry completely inadequate with the sometimes quirky winds in the region.

I did a lot of research in finding a fuel can that would fit the locker and still allow room for a few necessary items. I found a 6 gal metal can and also a 6 gallon plastic can which I keep in the starboard lazerette for trips such as into Princess Louisa. Both of these cans fit easily into the compartment and still leave room for a couple of pints of oil, a small funnel, etc.

I will be going to the boat this weekend and I will get the models of each although I do not know the availability of either.

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piseas
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Response Posted - 05/25/2011 : 10:06:37

David, not sure why that was locked but I just unlocked it. I did buy one of the last 6 gal. Tempo plastic tanks. As mentioned, it is a tight fit so much so, I keep it next to the boarding ladder when I go on overniters. I still keep my 3 gal in the locker. Keep us posted.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 05/25/2011 : 18:41:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 I took some measurements tonight, and neither the Attwood or Moeller tanks will fit, they're both too long.

What do new 250's come with?

Randy, do you recall who made your old tank?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Tempo

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/25/2011 : 20:20:35

I have a Tempo Ultra 6 I bought about the time this old thread was going on. I've never used it but plan to soon as my metal can is rusting away along the bottom and won't last too much longer (I've already used rust converter on it).

The Tempo tank measures 13-1/2" Width x 21-1/8" Long X 9" High. It's not the Value 6 mentioned above but hopefully this will help a little bit.

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TakeFive
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 03:48:25

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I have a Tempo Ultra 6 I bought about the time this old thread was going on. I've never used it but plan to soon as my metal can is rusting away along the bottom and won't last too much longer (I've already used rust converter on it).

The Tempo tank measures 13-1/2" Width x 21-1/8" Long X 9" High. It's not the Value 6 mentioned above but hopefully this will help a little bit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Although this might work on your C25, the Ultra6 will not fit in the C250 fuel locker. I have the Ultra6 (came with my Trophy 15 fishing boat) and it definitely does not fit in the C250 locker. Their Valu6 is taller and thinner, so apparently does fit. But nobody's going to find a new one anyway since Tempo has been gone for over 3 years.

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/26/2011 03:53:07

delliottg
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 09:08:16

I may have found one that might fit (nothing like hedging my bets). Mercury makes a [url="http://www.justgastanks.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=467_477&products_id=1831"]Marine Premium 6.6 gallon tank[/url] that looks like it might just squeeze in. I'm pretty sure it'll fit in the long dimension, not so sure about width. And of course, it's more than twice the cost of a Moeller or Attwood.

I meant to measure my metal tank this morning on my way out the door & completely forgot ([url="http://wordsmith.org/words/anomia.html"]middle aged anomia[/url]). I know for a fact that it fits, so if I can find something whose dimensions are pretty close, it should fit too.

Edited by - delliottg on 05/26/2011 09:09:10

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:00:42

This is the most compact tank I have found. A bit pricey, though. It's a Mercury 6.6 gal.:
http://www.duskyonline.com/1265-859065A-1-p-fuel-tanks.html

Here's one more:
http://www.pontoonspecialists.com/p-530-bombardier-universal-dura-tank-fuel-tank-6-gallon.aspx

Edited by - dmpilc on 05/26/2011 11:11:43

superbob
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:13:55

Pro-rate the cost to purchase this tank for one year and it works out to seventeen cents a day. It is worth 17 cents a day for less hassle and probably some peace of mind?

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:25:27

Good point Bob, but I'm not sweating the price very much, just irritated that I supposedly did all the right things (full tank so no condensation, stabilized fuel (multiple times over the time period), and the fuel still went through phase separation, collected water and rusted the tank). My biggest problem is finding a new plastic tank that'll fit. As Dave B. pointed out, Catalina makes a funky shaped fuel locker for our boats, and not just any tank will fit. I know of several that wont, including the 6.6 gallon one I've got.

I've considered turning the locker into a tank, but too much work, and epoxy & alcohol don't mix well, (or rather, mix too well), and I don't have lots of experience with fiberglass. I've also considered a fuel bladder, but they want crazy prices for them, like $400-$500! I've also considered the expense of having a one-off aluminum or stainless tank made since I have access to an entire model shop with lots of skilled guys to help me. I figure it'd be several cases of beer, materials and some sweat equity to get that done. But really, I'd just like to find a new tank that fits.

David, I'm liking the looks of that Bombardier tank! It's definitely going to fit lengthwise, and quite possibly width wise, & height shouldn't be a big deal.

Edited by - delliottg on 05/26/2011 11:30:37

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 11:40:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Good point Bob, but I'm not sweating the price very much, just irritated that I supposedly did all the right things (full tank so no condensation, stabilized fuel (multiple times over the time period), and the fuel still went through phase separation, collected water and rusted the tank)...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do you close the vent every time? The ethanol is hygroscopic, so it will continuously suck up moisture from the air no matter how much stabilizer you put into the gas. And the heat/cool cycles each day will cause the tank to "breathe" through the vent providing a constant source of fresh moist air.

Just a thought - plastic tanks flex more under pressure/vacuum, so they may be safer to seal up than metal tanks.

I'm just a daysailor, so 3 gallons is plenty for me. For our occasional cruise I attach a 5 gallon generic tank to the swim ladder and use that to top off the 3 gallon Honda tank.

Edited by - on

delliottg
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 12:03:05

Another good point Rick. I keep the vent closed and try to keep the tanks out of the sun. Unfortunately, I took the metal tank out of the locker to reduce weight in the stern since I also removed the lead ballast plates from my bow locker. When going up and down the ladder, the boat was rocking the whole trailer back (I'm not such a small guy). So the tank ended up unprotected from the sun by the locker, so that may explain part of it's demise.

My plastic tank has actually deformed a bit from being blown up like a balloon even though it could only possibly get sun in the very early morning. I've learned to vent it on a cool night and actually squeeze it a bit, then close the vent.

I don't like being out on the Puget Sound without lots of fuel. I almost ran out one day and did not like the feeling of being in more wind than I wanted, and running out of fuel trying to get back to our launch site. I bought the plastic 6.6 gallon tank immediately after that sail and do the same thing, I bungee it down by the ladder and have a fuel line long enough to reach it so I don't have to refuel on the water, just switch tanks.

Edited by - delliottg on 05/26/2011 12:06:32

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 05/26/2011 : 14:35:47

The Bombadier tank had the smallest footprint thatI've found so far. With the C-25 and lake sailing, fuel is rarely my problem. I can usually make it through the season on 1 3-gal. tank, occasionally adding a gallon.
I've got a 2nd 3-gal. tank, to go with a 5 hp Merc for the C-22, so if I think the gas is getting too old, I'll swap out th tanks and use the older stuff in our lawn tractor.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 05/27/2011 : 21:02:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 ...My plastic tank has actually deformed a bit from being blown up like a balloon even though it could only possibly get sun in the very early morning. I've learned to vent it on a cool night and actually squeeze it a bit, then close the vent...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Dave,

I am not sure that is such a good idea. Realize that the liquid gasoline and vapor form an equilibrium in your tank. Gas will evaporate until it reaches its vapor pressure at the ambient temperature. If you vent it on a hot day, the tank will contract to its original shape, but once you seal it, more gasoline will evaporate until it's back at its vapor pressure, and the tank will expand again.

In your case you're venting when it's cool and squeezing to create a slight vacuum. One of two things will happen:

1. If the seals on the tank are good, the vacuum will pull more vapor out of the gasoline until it reaches its vapor pressure at this cooler temperature. This will eliminate the vacuum and the tank will expand to a natural shape because the vapor pressure is low but slightly positive. But all this would have happened anyway without venting it, because the high pressure vapors from the hot day would cool and condense back into the gasoline, lowering the pressure and reducing the expansion of the tank.

2. If the seals on the tank are not good (as with my 20-year-old Tempo tanks, where the gaskets around the fuel gauge sight glass have cracked all over), the temporary vacuum that you created will pull cool evening air into the tank, bringing new moisture in with it. In fact, if your seals are bad, the "breathing" of air in at night and out in the day may potentially ruin your gas by saturating it with water.

Overall, it's best just to leave your tank without venting it (except when you're running the motor, of course), and ensure that your seals are good. If your tanks blows up like a balloon, and you don't smell vapors in your locker, then your seals are probably good.

Edited by - TakeFive on 05/27/2011 21:08:03

britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/28/2011 : 05:32:05

What do you guys think of having a sunbrella cover for the spare tank?

Paul.

( always loooking for ways to use my excess sunbrella

)

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/28/2011 : 18:54:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 What do you guys think of having a sunbrella cover for the spare tank?

Paul.

( always loooking for ways to use my excess sunbrella

)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You can send me a few yards of it!

Edited by - on

vholmstrom
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Response Posted - 06/15/2011 : 18:32:30

:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by delliottg

I've considered turning the locker into a tank, but too much work, and epoxy & alcohol don't mix well, (or rather, mix too well), and I don't have lots of experience with fiberglass.

-------------------

Ethanol in gasoline has been known to destroy fiberglass fuel tanks. Pate, who used to make the fiberglass fuel tanks for Boston Whaler Montauk models is now out of business. Ethanol began desolving the tanks and passing the contaminated fuel through the engine's fuel system. Montauk owners now buy plastic tanks instead. It is a shame since most pate tank owners loved their tanks in the pre-ethanol days.

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delliottg
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Response Posted - 09/08/2011 : 23:15:48

I found an Attwood 8806LP2 that I thought would fit, but no dice. It was about 1/2" too long and maybe 1/4" too wide. I figured if I could get it in the locker, even by wedging it in, it'd never have to come out again. But I tried for about 15 minutes to come up with a way to pop it in there with no luck. I also thought about using hot water to mold it (it's thermolded plastic, should have worked) but didn't want to be out $50 if it didn't.

The search continues, I'd still like to get my hands on one of the Bombardier tanks, but no luck finding them locally so far.

Edited by - on

delliottg
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Response Posted - 11/14/2011 : 20:31:25

Well, close, but no cigar. I found a Quicksilver 6.5 gallon that looked really promising. The measurements were within tolerances, and it got really-really close. I could get it completely inside the fuel locker, flipped up on it's side... I thought for sure that I could get it turned right side up, but after about half an hour of trying all conceivable variations, removing all the hardware, it's still about 1/4" too wide. If it were just a tiny bit narrower, I think it'd turn, and in fact, if I removed all the hardware inside the locker, I could probably make it fit, but it'd still be a tight fit, and you'd never get it back out again in one piece. I also considered using a heat gun to heat it up and shape it a bit, but I don't think that's a good plan.

Anyone want a really nice Quicksilver 6.5 gallon tank? I can't take this one back as I bought it on CL.

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