What size fuel tank?

[elite51203]

Since I have a budget for the rebuild of my boat, I am trying to save money by purchasing and/or modifying certain parts, etc.

I have a local "boat junkyard" near me that I have scavenged through, and I have come across several nice used aluminum and poly fuel tanks in many different sizes and shapes.  

More than likely, I will be running a 135-150 2 stroke outboard.  I will not be buying a brand new motor.

My question is,  what size tank should I go with?  Will a 35 gallon tank be big enough?  

I don't plan on running for long distances and burning a lot of fuel.

[seabob4]

I'd go with a 50.  You can always fill what you want, but when you want extra...

[redemn93]

get the biggest tank that will fit.  like seabob said, you dont have to fill it everytime you go out.  or like me, i put $40 in every trip.

[Aswaff400]

i went with a 62 gallon tank for my FB... ill be running a thirsty merc 225 efi, if i went with a 150, i'd have a pretty good range...

[gman 82 aquasport]

I'm a firm believer in that more is better...I'd rather have more and not need it than need it and not have it That said, I have a 19-6 with a 92 Johnson 150 2 stroke mixed gas...and I used a 55 gallon tank in mine and have not been let down..

[elite51203]

Makes sense!

Now for my next question:

If I buy a used tank (that's been sitting out in the weather) what is the best way to get it cleaned it out?

The ones that I've looked at have rain water and old oil/gas slime in them.

[elite51203]

On a side note:

I have the original tank (looks like a 50 gallon) if anyone is interested.  Its about 34"X34X10".

[GoneFission]

On a side note:
I have the original tank (looks like a 50 gallon) if anyone is interested.  Its about 34"X34X10".

According to my slide rule,     your measurements are exactly right for 50 gallons.  I would not go with less.  

[BradleyD]

I completely know what it's like to have to work on a tight budget, but be careful of buying a tank full of crud...it may cost you more down the road. I've helped try to clean a tank in a friends house boat that was full of the same stuff. We ended up scrapping it and building a new one. I'm sure someone knows a better way than what we were doing but remember you will be trying to clean approximately 20-25 sq-ft of surface from an 1.5" hole    

On a side note:

I have the original tank (looks like a 50 gallon) if anyone is interested. Its about 34"X34X10".

What is wrong with the original tank?

[elite51203]

I completely know what it's like to have to work on a tight budget, but be careful of buying a tank full of crud...it may cost you more down the road. I've helped try to clean a tank in a friends house boat that was full of the same stuff. We ended up scrapping it and building a new one. I'm sure someone knows a better way than what we were doing but remember you will be trying to clean approximately 20-25 sq-ft of surface from an 1.5" hole    

On a side note:

I have the original tank (looks like a 50 gallon) if anyone is interested. Its about 34"X34X10".

What is wrong with the original tank?

Not a thing as far as I can tell.  Since I'm rebuilding all the stringers, I will be going with a 2 stringer set up, instead of the original 4 stringers.  So, the original tank is too wide for me to be able to use.  It appears to be the original and in good condition.

[SaltH2OHokie]

I completely know what it's like to have to work on a tight budget, but be careful of buying a tank full of crud...it may cost you more down the road. I've helped try to clean a tank in a friends house boat that was full of the same stuff. We ended up scrapping it and building a new one. I'm sure someone knows a better way than what we were doing but remember you will be trying to clean approximately 20-25 sq-ft of surface from an 1.5" hole    

On a previous boat, we called the local radiator shop, asked what chemicals were safe for Aluminum, and used whatever their advice was (I forget...simple green, mean green, something...) and I took some lengths of chain (new, not rusted up) and put them down in the tank in various lengths along with a concoction of the aforementioned chemicals, water and a whole bunch of flipping, tossing, rolling, etc.

This was an 85gal tank, so you got tired quick.

Also let it ride in the bed of my truck, figuring the stopping and starting would slide the chain back and forth across the tank floor, and I just flipped it 90deg every time I thought about it.  Once I was satisfied I'd agitated it enough, I fished the chains out with a coat hanger and a flashlight.

Toughest part for me was getting all of the crud flushed out of the 1-1/2" hole.  We'd feed it with water while keeping the holes plugged up until it built a little pressure (just covering the balance of the sender hole with a rag/our hands) and then we'd let it loose and watch a little geyser of crud and water bubble out.  Took a bunch of times doing that, right-side-up and up-side-down.  Then let it air dry, then put some sacrificial gas in it a few times and swished it around, then finally called it good.  

After typing that out, I realize we probably could have bought or built a tank about as easily...but at the time, the budget dictated that I had more time and energy than I had money, and the tank was only like 8yrs old...it just somehow got really nasty inside.  I could pour what looked like dark brewed sweet tea out of my fuel filter on an all-to-regular basis.

[Capt. Bob]

The only down side I see to that would be if the tank had baffles so only one section would benefit from the chain scraping.

[love2fish]

when I repowered my boat, I wanted to start fresh with everything fuel related, so i replaced the fill hose, vent hose, and fuel line. I went on Craigslist and found a mobile fuel treatment service, i think they were based out of Seminole or Clearwater... came to my house, sucked all the old fuel out of my tank, then ran a cleaning solvent throguh the tank a few times, afterwards had a borescope and checked all the corners,,, was in "like new" condition as far as I could see, no pitting or rust so I was very happy. it was on my originial tank which is 60 gallons- whole thing was around $150 if i remember correctly.
they have a flat fee for just removing gas/water from tanks based on a per gallon...
as far as the baffles and everything in the tank- the guy had several different diameters of hose that he used to get around the baffles and into the corners.

Id just do a search on craigslist for "fuel cleaner service" or somthing like that,,, I am in Ellenton, so i did a Tampa search.

[redemn93]

ya going rate is $125-150

[elite51203]

Certainly some things to think about.  I'm definitely going with at least a 50 gallon aluminum.

Its tough to open the wallet and dish out over $400 for new custom built tank.....I just cant do it!