alternate fuel tank

[stewfisch]

I have to post this to LancerBoy "cause noone else is here. I first came to this site in 2013 as the new owner of a 62 Sealancer. I got some great info about "eye brows" and Kirby Paint(yellow). It's really sad to see the collapse of this community. Welcome to the digital desert of "Facesmack". My question is about replacing my 6 gal portable tank with a forward mounted tank with 10 gal or more capacity. I recall you mentioning you had made this transplant. can you recomend any vendors for the equipment and any ideas or pitfalls as far as installation are concerned?

Thank you, Stew Fischer

[LancerBoy]

I found a 12 gallon or so metal tank online at something like Cabela's or ???? that fit the bow of my 1957 Peshtigo built Sea Lancer. It's rectangular in shape. Has a deck filler and copper line from tank to the stern of the boat. I also used two old 6 gallon metal tanks at the stern under the rear seat. Therefore I had a capacity of 24 gallons for my two very thirsty 1957 Johnson 35 HP outboards.

Andreas

[stewfisch]

Hi Andreas,

Thanks for your reply. Did you use a rubber fill hose from the foredeck fitting to the "top" of the tank? Do you have a "readable" fuel gauge on your dash? Is there a reason

to run the fuel line in copper as opposed to rubber from the tank to the engine? I'll have to run this line under the floor (deck) and although I have three access hatches it

seems to me that a rubber line would simplify matters. Did you frame up a stand or cradle off of the ribs to support the tank? My plan is build a "stand" to keep the tank as

far forward as possible to leave room to "screen" the tank from view. My "new" engine I'm feeding is a 1`962 Merc 850. This motor is a so much better choice over the

75HP Johnson Super Seahorse that came with the boat. The only drawback is is the extended lower end is off a newer engine that gives me power tilt and trim. Not

exactly to period, but, darn it's convenient!

Thanks, Stew

[ewrice]

Moeller makes a couple V shaped plastic tanks, both above deck with hold downs, and below deck with straps. Most boats under 50 foot built since the 1980s use low permeation rubber fuel lines (not standard auto store or outboard motor fuel line) from tank to engine. Tie it down every foot. There are other types of tanks that could fit between the stringers under the floor. If you use a deck mounted fuel fill, make sure you tie the filler to the tank with a bonding wire.

[stewfisch]

Thanks for the info. I just found a nearby dealer for Moeller products. There are a number of products that should meet my needs.

[LancerBoy]

I was recently looking at photos of a 1961 Thompson Off-Shore and she had a "Mitchell BoaTank" fuel tank in the bow. Wedge shaped. My guess is that the tank was from the 1961 time period but not sure if it was factory installed or aftermarket.

The tank I put in my '57 Sea Lancer is resting on the floor boards in the bow area. I added some additional structural supports under the plywood floor boards. Yes there is a rubbery filler tube about 2" diameter. I bought it at an auto supply store. Stainless steel clamps secure the hose at the top and low ends. The copper line from the fuel tank to stern of the boat was in the boat when I obtained it. The bow tank was missing, so that's why I found a new one. I do not have a fuel gauge.

This boat has a bulkhead and access door under the dash so that the tank is completely out of view. There is still plenty of room under the deck for storage of PFDs and bumpers and all sorts of other stuff - all hidden from view.

Hope this helps.

Andreas