Boat Design Forums  |  Boat Design Directory  |  Boat Design Gallery  |  Boat Design Book Store  |  Thanks to Our Site Sponsors

Go Back   Boat Design Forums > Construction > Boatbuilding > Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-10-2008, 03:26 PM
partgypsy partgypsy is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Rep: 10 Posts: 28
Location: 20744
Best material for building boxes for fuel tanks

I had to remove the old wood flooring, the steel fuel tanks and steel water tanks from the cockpit of my boat (The wood rotted and subsequently the tanks rusted). This has left me with a space about 12' wide by 5' long by 2.5' high. After considering my options (buy aluminum, build my own or buy poly tanks) I have decided on multiple 50 gal poly tanks. This will give me enormous flexibility and ease of service. I would like to surround each pair of tanks in an enclosure that will support the tanks and have a sealed bottom in case of a leak or spill. I could use 3/4 inch marine ply coated with cloth and resin, but I would like advice if anyone has opinions regarding a simpler solution: use plastic or composite board and only tape the seams. Which would be best for this? Coosa, Starboard, etc. I even thought of using hardibacker, but I don't think it will stand up to the vibration. The boxes will not have tops, but instead the sides will act as part of the support structure for the new cockpit floor. Removable hatch panels will be screwed and gasketed in place in case I need to access the tanks. The fill and valves will be in there own water-tight and vented compartment for easy access.
I am starting off with one pair of tanks while I continue my refit work, but ultimately, I can fit a total of 300 gallons (the size of the previous steel tanks).
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-12-2008, 08:22 AM
KnottyBuoyz's Avatar
KnottyBuoyz KnottyBuoyz is online now
Provocateur & Raconteur
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Rep: 578 Posts: 604
Location: Iroquois, Ontario
Can you, should you, build your own fiberglass tanks? By Ken Hankinson

http://www.practical-sailor.com/news...glasstanks.pdf
__________________
Yours Aye! Rick M/V She:Kon Blog
~^~^~^^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~~^~^~~^~^~^^~~^~^
"It's not the boat "you built" until you've sworn at it, bled on it, sweated over it and cried beside it!" - I just made that up!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-13-2008, 12:03 PM
kach22i's Avatar
kach22i kach22i is offline
Architect
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Rep: 997 Posts: 2,298
Location: Michigan
Gasoline or Diesel?
__________________
George: Architect (land lover type)
Hovercraft & Vintage Porsche Owner
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boa...ect-11973.html
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fuel Tanks wikark Marketplace 0 12-03-2007 10:28 PM
Fuel tanks Ian Farnell Materials 35 12-04-2006 10:31 AM
Fiberglass Fuel Tanks boatlover24 Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building 3 06-21-2005 03:43 PM
Sailboat with 2 fuel tanks preacherman Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building 4 01-18-2005 06:37 AM
Fuel tanks zack Powerboats 6 07-05-2004 04:43 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Web Site Design and Content Copyright ©1999 - 2012 Boat Design Net