Replacing Fuel Tank

[slvrlng]

Hey Skoot, I would put an extra fuel pickup on there when you have it made and cap it off so you can drain it without having to undo the fuel line to the motor. Capt Bob did this on his tank for the walkaround and I think its a great idea!
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4608&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=45

[seabob4]

Sorry guys, had a bit of a busy day yesterday.  Scott, I emailed my buddy Ray at RDS this morn with your tank dim.'s, he replied he'll have a price for me this aft.

Just don't want you guys to think I'm laying down on the job...

[Capt. Bob]

Ray was "The Man" that I dealt with on my WAC replacement.
He was very nice to work with and the turnaround was great (I was in no hurry because of cost but it was about a week).
RDS has a neat plant (if you're in to that mechanical stuff) and they reside in an old Florida town along US 27.
A very good experience.

As far as the extra pickup for drainage, well....
Certainly not rocket science but because I was able to drain both tanks so easily with the existing pickup (I disconnected the fuel lines from the filters and motors) I thought why not. I'm going to fight this ethanol fuel nightmare as best I can and both my sons bikes and truck have burned it right up.

This works for me because I don't use my boat like I once did and when I do get to go out, old fuel isn't something I want to worry about. Add me to the list of owners who have been bitten by the ethanol bug and chalk me up as a firm believer in "Seafoam" additive (there are others that I'm sure are as good or better) and fresh fuel.

Good on ya SB for helpin' these guys out with RDS.  

[seabob4]

Alright Scott, heard back from Ray.  Now, I'm assuming I'm going to have to go through Proline to buy, so an additional cost I had to factor in.  This is the deal on the tank with the dim.'s you specified.  With a .090" wall thickness, 49 gals., $295 plus shipping.  With .125" wall thickness, 48 gals., $365 plus shipping.  Now understand, I'm not making a cent here, and shipping would have to be done between me and RDS so the tank gets to your house.  

Tell me what you think...

[Capt. Bob]

With .125" wall thickness, 48 gals., $365 plus shipping.[

55gal .125 thick, picked up myself. 200 total miles (two trips)
$561.75 including tax.

Sounds like a no-brainer Scott.

[slvrlng]

Wow !!! That is a deal!!! So how far is it from Brooksville to Lawrenceville? 450 miles?

I think its about time to call in my thank you for finding my boat fishing trip skoot!

[seabob4]

Lewis,
Give me a call...

[Skoot]

Alright Scott, heard back from Ray.  Now, I'm assuming I'm going to have to go through Proline to buy, so an additional cost I had to factor in.  This is the deal on the tank with the dim.'s you specified.  With a .090" wall thickness, 49 gals., $295 plus shipping.  With .125" wall thickness, 48 gals., $365 plus shipping.  Now understand, I'm not making a cent here, and shipping would have to be done between me and RDS so the tank gets to your house.  

Tell me what you think...

...This post is USEFUL even without pics! What a deal, you the man.

Now I have to take 2 people fishing and provide the beer!

This has to be the BEST SITE on the www

[seabob4]

Scott,
Talked to Lewis tonight, said you guys talked about reduced tankage.  That's cool, just let me know what you want to do.

Anybody else, got a good receptive response today from RDS, so get me your dimensions.  I'm not saying they'll pump out tanks in droves, but it appears Ray is willing to work with me...

Hopefully I can do it between me and RDS, I don't have to go through Proline.  Then we save a bit more money...

BTW Scott, a run down from N. Pinellas to the shipping channel by the Skyway to fish the channel drop-offs for keeper grouper would be cool...

[Skoot]

Scott,
Talked to Lewis tonight, said you guys talked about reduced tankage.  That's cool, just let me know what you want to do.

Im still undecided bob. I was hoping some of the fellow 19-6  crew would chime in and give their thoughts. The minimum I would go would be ~35 gallons.  But my concern is, will 35 gallons be enough. My primary use for the boat will be weekend fishing trips (mid shore).  Possible skiing, wake boarding and tubing in the near future. (my kids are getting older)

So what do you 19-6'ers think.  Stick with a 50gallon tank or reduce the size?  and Why?

If im over thinking this (as usual) someone let me know!

[MarshMarlowe196]

Just my $0.02-

You can always put just 35gal. in a 50gal. tank.  The extra fuel is always nice to have when you want it.  I would never want to limit my range because you never know when that might limit how many fish you catch, or worse...  Besides, I always feel like I don't have quite enough gas as it is : )

[flkeysaqua]

I 100% agree with badon I personally have never used all 50 gallons either but you never know and I've also taking the boat 30+ miles offshore to troll for the day and still used about 3/4 of a tank BUT I would never go off shore if I know that I'd be running on fumes on the way back so... Go with 50 wou'll be happy

[GoneFission]

As Huey Lewis so wisely said: "Better to have and not need than to need an not have."  Go with the bigger tank and have 2 outlet ports put in just in case you decide to put a kicker on at some point.  

[seabob4]

As Huey Lewis so wisely said: "Better to have and not need than to need an not have."  Go with the bigger tank and have 2 outlet ports put in just in case you decide to put a kicker on at some point.  

Good idea on the second pickup.  You can always cap it with a plug, then install a barb later should you need it...

[Skoot]

You can always put just 35gal. in a 50gal. tank.
Im still laughing at this.   So true, So true.

Thanks alot guys for the replies and suggestions.  Looks like I'm placing an order for a 50gal tank.