Source for fuel tanks

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:05 pm

No offense taken But

Do you really think aluminum tanks cost less to make then galvanized ?

there are lot more and tougher safety standards today

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:00 pm

Labour, probably no difference. Material costs, yes.

Where materials or construction are dictated by safety standards or laws, things will evolve and potentially improve over time because they have to. Where not dictated by standards or laws, most manufacturers will change their manufacturing to use the cheapest possible option that will last until the warranty period is over.

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 9:05 pm

Paul,

Other than the fact that galvanized tanks can't be used with diesel fuel, why aren't they used any more?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:06 pm

This is only my opinion . Most builders do care as reputation is important . Galvanized tanks are far from the best choice for a long lasting tank sure many last a long time but others fail a lot sooner . I have seen many of them fail under 10 years old damage the Galvanized coating then add some salt air and wait .
I don't know of any boat builder that has used them in years . Not sure when Trojan stop using them but many other makers where using aluminum in the mid 70s . My F30 I had 10 years ago had the tanks replace by the PO years before due to failure.

If you went to buy a NEW boat would you buy one that had a Galvanized tank ? how about one with Galvanized bolts insted of SS ?

even in cars they rusted out a lot .

Nancy · Post by **Nancy** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:37 pm

Thanks for the explanation, and good analogy with the bolts.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:57 pm

See many boats with SS fuel tanks? No? Why not? They cost too much to make. It may reduce profit on a half million dollar boat by $500, so no manufacturer is going to 'waste' that much money (or potential profit).

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 9:12 am

captainmaniac wrote:See many boats with SS fuel tanks? No? Why not? They cost too much to make. It may reduce profit on a half million dollar boat by $500, so no manufacturer is going to 'waste' that much money (or potential profit).

SS Is not used in fuel tanks Because they do not hold up , they tend to have issues at the welds . SS is very brittle . Although cost is a factor in boat building any good builder worries about quality or there not around for long.

Before E10 Fiber glass made for good tanks ( still great for Diesel) , They now have fiber glass that holds up to E10 , I don't know of any builders using them with gas . but your local gas station is using them below ground .