GL: Replacing Fuel Tanks

[Ralph Yost (home)]

For the reason's Charles articulated, I dont think using bladders INSIDE 
fuel tanks are practical.
I did examine a boat that had its fuel tanks replaced with bladders. Some 
observations I made where I was not happy with the structural integrity of 
how the bladders were attached. The installers had used large and long 
stainless steel bands, like large hose clamps, to tie it down. I would have 
preferred if the bladder had been inside a frame fiberglassed to the hull.
My own boat had one tank replaced. The original steel tank was removed 
before I bought the boat. It was replaced with TWO smaller aluminum tanks 
which were plummed together at the bottom. The fuel fill only fills one tank 
but the bottom plumming allows the fuel to level each tank. The tanks are 
structurally mounted in the boat. The two tank approach allowed them to do 
the job without moving the engine.
R.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Charles and Pat Culotta" <charlesculotta at gmail.com>


>> What about having a bladder fitted into the current tanks?
>
> Mike,
>
> I looked into this and determined it to not be feasible.
>
> Must cut large access holes in the tanks to then cut out the baffles and
> grind dwn the sharp edges in the tank.
>
> Then the purchase price of the bladders was too much factoring in the work
> and the fact that the bladders would have to be custom and they are 
> usually
> flat and not tall as are our fuel tanks. This led to fill difficulty.
>
> Anyway , I am not saying that it cannot be done. I just did not determine
> that it would work for me and I repaired the tanks in place--abt 9yrs ago 
> or
> so.