Poly tank vs Aluminum tank (70s SC20)

[TPG]

Who has gone what?

Poly folks, I see the 52 gallon Moeller would fit nicely under deck. And at $350 I'm sure significantly cheaper than aluminum.

Talk to me!

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by TPG

Who has gone what?

Poly folks, I see the 52 gallon Moeller would fit nicely under deck. And at $350 I'm sure significantly cheaper than aluminum.

Talk to me!

You get what you pay for..... Poly tanks must be 100% supported on the bottom and likely the sides as well. There is also concern for degradation due to ethanol fuel blends.

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by TPG

Who has gone what?

Poly folks, I see the 52 gallon Moeller would fit nicely under deck. And at $350 I'm sure significantly cheaper than aluminum.

Talk to me!

Moeller Belly Fuel Tank, 52 gal., 24"W x 60"L x 10"D

If this is the one you're refering too . . . I see the following problems.

Fuel Fill Height and location . . . Stringer width is almost exactly 24" on the 2 stringer seacrafts and 22 - 23" on the 4 stringer versions. Assuming you have a post 72 - 2 stinger 20 seacraft . . . The width won't be an issue until you factor in the bend you need to make with the hose attached to the fuel fill. You might be able to get creative with a 90 degree elbow, but I wouldn't bet $350 on it.

Height - I think when you factor in the fitting height you'll be really close. You might be able to push this tank forward and gain the needed height for the fittings including the fuel fill.

[TPG]

Originally Posted by kmoose

You get what you pay for..... Poly tanks must be 100% supported on the bottom and likely the sides as well. There is also concern for degradation due to ethanol fuel blends.

The newer poly tanks are not affected by ethanol. That was the case when ethanol first hit gas, but not now.

[TPG]

Originally Posted by Bigshrimpin

Moeller Belly Fuel Tank, 52 gal., 24"W x 60"L x 10"D

If this is the one you're refering too . . . I see the following problems.

Fuel Fill Height and location . . . Stringer width is almost exactly 24" on the 2 stringer seacrafts and 22 - 23" on the 4 stringer versions. Assuming you have a post 72 - 2 stinger 20 seacraft . . . The width won't be an issue until you factor in the bend you need to make with the hose attached to the fuel fill. You might be able to get creative with a 90 degree elbow, but I wouldn't bet $350 on it.

Height - I think when you factor in the fitting height you'll be really close. You might be able to push this tank forward and gain the needed height for the fittings including the fuel fill.

Thanks for the thoughts!
I'm definitely raising the deck and with shoving it forward the fittings might clear via the hole in the deck under the console, but would as you mentioned have to be real creative, I have a 71, it measured out dead nuts on 24" but I'll remeasure before I commit to anything.

Aluminum definitely has a leg up being able to go completely custom.

[John3325]

Go poly for sure, treat your gas to be safe if your afraid of ethanol and you will never have a problem. Every gas tank I have done in any boat I've redone/repaired has never had a problem with poly (most I have done I know the current owners with all positive reports). Last one I did was replace a 55 gallon aluminum in an 18' Robalo. I fit a 50 gallon plastic tank almost perfectly and just had to get a little creative with the braces/straps to hold in place.