Question on Belly Style fuel tank - The Hull Truth

gbt · 04-02-2007, 05:28 PM

Hi Folks,

Sorry to be asking for help on my 1st post but I want to try and get in the water on time this season. I have a 1989 Sea Pro 18’ Center Console and for reasons I won’t bore you with I am replacing the fuel tank. The old tank is a “belly style” 40 gallon tank with the fill and vent fittings forward and the engine fuel supply fitting and sending unit aft. To me this design makes sense since I’m not always up on a plane and the boat often rides with the bow higher, hence the fuel tank is angled to the aft most of the time when it’s in use. It’s also an outboard and even when sitting at the fuel dock the tank tends to be angled aft.

The problem I have encountered is all the stock tanks I can find these days in a belly style or low profile have all fittings and sending unit at one end. I’d rather not have to re-locate the fill hose and vent since it means drilling more holes and also this design just doesn’t make sense to me…. I would think you would want your fill hose forward to eliminate air pockets in the front of the tank when filling with sending unit and fuel supply fittings aft so you will get accurate readings and not run out of fuel due to tank angle when underway.

So the 42 thousand dollar question I have is does any one know of a source for a tank that does not have all fittings and sending unit at one end of the tank? I have checked Moeller, Todd, Tempo on 20 different web sites and also called Sea Pro to see if they can help and am striking out. A custom tank is not out of the question but I thought I would check here 1st to see if any one has any suggestions on sources or solutions to consider. I'm also looking for ~ 30 gallon tank.

Thanks in advance for any help provided. I’m also in the Boston area if you have a local source to suggest.

ali'i kai · 04-02-2007, 05:35 PM

Did you call Moeller?

gbt · 04-02-2007, 05:57 PM

I have an email in to their info email box but have not heard back. I will try calling tomorrow during business hours. None of the tanks listed on their dealers sites meet my needs but it's probably worth a call.

thanks

gbt

Shorty · 04-02-2007, 07:59 PM

I dont know if this would help, but you can Google Marine Fuel Tanks and find custom Fabricators to build to your Specs. I know the last one I purchased years ago, the place also Fabbed them if need be.

LouC · 04-02-2007, 08:00 PM

Find out who made the OEM tank for Sea Pro and see if you can contact them an get a new one made to the same specs. I did that with windshield glass on my 88 Four Winns and was able to get several new glass panels from the OEM supplier. That way it should fit with no worries. Having it match the OEM mounting points makes the whole job easier.

rrjoe2000 · 04-02-2007, 10:09 PM

http://www.marconlq.biz/FuelWaterTanks.html

They have alot of tanks.

Mud Runner · 04-02-2007, 11:05 PM

When I was in the same position as you are now, I got the name of the supplier of tanks from Overton's. I was surprised that they gave me their supplier so freely but it worked. It's been a while but I called them and they had me draw up a sketch and fax it to them. They then had a draftsman make a engineering drawing of the proposed tank complete with Coast Guard certification. They faxed it to me for a signature and approval and the rest is history. They packed it and shipped it to me UPS. Their price was reasonable at the time. It's certainly worth a call.Skyline Industries(801) 785-3535 [/b]381 W Center St
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062