aluminum gas tanks
 

Is there a reason why every boat manufacturer builds their gas tanks out of aluminum? Why not some composite material?

Mine was built out of composite and I can't understand why I get fumes out of it. I pressure tested, inspected the tank from top to bottom and it had no leaks holding pressure indefinetly. When I rebuilt the floor in the boat and took it out on the lake one time the fumes are back. I'm beside myself on where it could be coming from.

Roby

alot of the times its due to coast gaurd standards,there is plastic composite tanks that usually are short lifespanned and dont maintain there shape,but aluminum tanks are more easily baffled for high speed usage,now there are a couple of manufacturers that have designed cells that are intergrated into the hulls,but it goes somethin like the coast gaurd wants a second barrier incase of puncture on the hull!

Rob-what is your tank made of?

Offshore-so the coasties want it to be double walled?

I'm not sure what exactly it is made of but it is brown and is not aluminum.

Roby

It may be fiberglass and that may be why you are getting fumes. There is a certain amount of porosity in all fiberglass and more in some. In an instance where the glass is not perfect or the cure wasn't proper you are gonna get some seepage-in your case fumes. Remember that gas molecules are smaller that water so it is easier for gas to get through. In order to do a proper resin fuel tank it has to be a thick, well cured layup or it is gonna allow fumes to pass. You might want to coat the tank with epoxy paint if you can get it out-should stop the fumes.


As for aluminum-think $$$$$-much cheaper and easier to make big tanks from aluminum than anything else.

A fuel tank that has porosity? That sounds like a fuse!

Roby1: We found that mine was leaking fumes at the connections. Do you have them double clamped? Are your clamps set up so that the screw down is on opposite sides of the tube and also that they pull tight in opposite directions?

Jon