fuel tank (sunshine marine)

[jsakat1]

I have a 170 Striper. I replaced the tank (the original one) about two years ago with a tank from Sunshine Marine Tanks, and I hate to say it. I think it has corroded already. I am noticing fuel coming out of the gardboard plug hole and in the bilge. Has anyone had similar problems with these tanks and this company. I called them and left a message Friday. When I open the hole where the sender is the tank is covered with salt and there is signs of corrosion. Any causes as to this, so soon in the tanks young life?

Has anyone returned tanks to sunshine. I assume there should be some warranty. I am puzzled.

[Capt. Bob]

Never heard of them but of course that means nothing.

Florida Marine Tanks made both my original tanks in the CCP and the WAC. I replaced the CCP tank in 96 and purchased the replacement from FMT. I replaced the WAC earlier this year and used RDS which is located in the Panhandle about 50 miles east of my current location. They too supplied Aqua with OEM tanks.

Both were/are good quality. Unfortunately failure usually occurs from poor installation but you may indeed have a bad product. Even poor work usually last a few years but you never know.

Pics always help.

PS... FMT was located off the Palmetto expressway just past the big bend around the Miami Lakes area. I don't know if they are still in business.

[seabob4]

CB,
FMT is indeed still in business, but now they SHOULD be called North Carolina Marine Tanks!
http://www.floridamarinetanks.com/contactus.php

jsakat, hopefully, and I have no reason to doubt, you installed the tank correctly using tank rubber to keep it elevated off the floor it sits on (or the hull bottom if that is the design), making sure the tank rubber is oriented fore to aft so that any water that may get in to the tank compartment can't pool and stand in contact with the tank (that's what happens if the tank rubber is attached side to side), and that you did your best to seal the seams of the tank hatch.

So all that being said, and you have the issue you've described, I would either demand a new tank and some compensation for you having to remove the old and install the new, OR get a quote from FMT or RDS and have Sunshine pay for the tank and the shipping...

That's what I would do...

[fitz73222]

Whats salt doing on top of the tank? Were all of the fittings double clamped correctly? Pull the hatch and have a look. It is hard to believe the tank failed so soon. Look at all of the hoses and look for evidence of leakage. Short of a weld failure, they are all 5052 alloy aluminum and should not corrode so quickly. Do you keep the boat in the water?

[wingtime]

Unless a weld failed or they used crazy thin (I doubt it) aluminum to build the tank it should not have failed so quickly.  Are you sure that is salt on top of the tank and not aluminum oxide?  Water must be getting in there and sitting directly in contact with the tank.  I hope you did not foam the tank in place.  If so no manufacturer will warranty it.

[jsakat1]

It's in the coffin, didn't foam it. I don't keep the boat in the water.

[seabob4]

It's in the coffin, didn't foam it. I don't keep the boat in the water.

Well, as I stated above, that would be my course of action.  They are open tomorrow...  

[gran398]

CB,
FMT is indeed still in business, but now they SHOULD be called North Carolina Marine Tanks!
http://www.floridamarinetanks.com/contactus.php

jsakat, hopefully, and I have no reason to doubt, you installed the tank correctly using tank rubber to keep it elevated off the floor it sits on (or the hull bottom if that is the design), making sure the tank rubber is oriented fore to aft so that any water that may get in to the tank compartment can't pool and stand in contact with the tank (that's what happens if the tank rubber is attached side to side), and that you did your best to seal the seams of the tank hatch.

So all that being said, and you have the issue you've described, I would either demand a new tank and some compensation for you having to remove the old and install the new, OR get a quote from FMT or RDS and have Sunshine pay for the tank and the shipping...

That's what I would do...

Hey SB, good point about the rubber running lengthwise...and BTW, what thickness(guage) should be used?

[wingtime]

Here ya go.  While some if this install will not apply to our boat you get the main idea:

http://www.marinesurvey.com/yacht/fueltank.htm