Aluminum vs Polyethylen Gas Tanks

Fishblues · Post by **Fishblues** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 3:29 pm

For a F32, Your thoughts all...

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 5:37 pm

Either is equally good in my opinion. Many new boat manufacturers use aluminum tanks and some use coatings on the tanks. Thunderbird/Formula boats uses aluminum with a porcelain coating.

Aluminum will be easier to get in your particular size since plastic tanks are blow molded and require molds. Good luck finding the exact size. Aluminum tank manufacturers usually do not charge a fee for custom sizes since there is no such thing as a standard size and most of their tanks are custom.

I am replacing the tanks on my '79 Tri-cabin right now and was hoping to use plastic but could not find blow molded tanks my exact size so I am going with aluminum.

Danny Bailey · Post by **Danny Bailey** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:23 pm

Poly is great and preferable up to 26 gallons or so because they do not corrode. I don't think you're going to find any big enough for an F-32 and if you put in several small poly tanks, then you are continually switching tanks.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 10:42 pm

The boats I seen with the poly tanks ,you can smell gas on them

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:21 am

Paul beat to the smell thing. they also flex a lot when as big as you need, go alum.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 10:21 am

i posted this on your other question but it appears some reponders to this did not look at that thread to see the tanks i listed.
check the thread below and then go to the bottom of the page moeller 58 gallon tank plenty big for one side of an f32 when the originals were 62 gallon round
is it worth twice or more of the cost to have an aluminum tank made?. .if they are certified for use where you are going to place them then its your call.

these will fit easily under the cockpit in a f32

http://www.moellermarine.com/aftermarke ... ent_tanks/

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:00 pm

is it worth twice or more of the cost to have an aluminum tank made?.

Yes for me it would be

g36 · Post by **g36** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 1:59 pm

prowlersfish wrote:is it worth twice or more of the cost to have an aluminum tank made?.

Yes for me it would be

to each his own. maybe the costs are prohibitive of some people to spend twice as much or more.
simply my point is there are options and some replied in this thread they didnt know that plastic tanks were made that large.
answer yes they are.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:42 pm

My resoning is I hate the smell of gas and you can always smell fumes with the plastic tanks if they have been install for more then a year or 2 . But they are cheap for sure , but you can find good deals on alum. tanks that are premade also.

http://www.marine-fueltank.com/

Fishblues · Post by **Fishblues** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 6:36 pm

Thanks for all the responses. The quote I got from two sources where the same for aluminum $950 and change per tank plus a $180 for shipping.

Total $2,080

The Moeller tanks seem to be the best polyethylene ones available at about $320 each plus about $90 for shipping.

Total $730

The pro's and con's seem to be;

Poly will not rust or corrode due to salt water like aluminum, they will not crack due to stress, they are lighter weight...

Aluminum will not smell and may be better for re-sale value...

I'm still confused.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:16 pm

$375. for a alum 55 gal

http://www.marine-fueltank.com/tank027.htm