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Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 7:51 pm
by drtlvr
I picked up a 1987 Boston Whaler 13 Super Sport Limited. I want to replace the Pate Plastics fiberglass fuel tank with a Moeller tank. Has anyone actually fit the 14-gallon [Moeller] tank under the bow seat? [The 14-gallon Moeller on-deck fuel tank] looks like it would make it [under the seat] by 1/8-inch, but I want to make sure. The 12-gallon would fit nicely, but is a hard tank to find.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 9:09 pm
by jimh
What is the clearance under the seat of the 13 SUPER SPORT LIMITED?

What is the manufacturer's dimension for the Moeller 14-gallon tank height?

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 9:23 pm
by drtlvr
Clearance to seat is 7-inches and it is 6.88-inches to top of Moeller tank--really, really close.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:31 am
by Jefecinco
When the weather is hot or even warm the new plastic fuel tanks will swell considerably and mostly the top and bottom expands. During warm weather you may be able to get the tank under the seat in the cool of the morning but probably not during the heat of the day. A swollen tank with limited room to expand could possible sustain some damage or even damage the seat under which it is located. If the tank cracked while pressurized from heat expansion the result could be a very dangerous situation.

I would use a different tank to ensure safety.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 1:24 pm
by Dutchman
I would raise the seat by 1/4-inch or know that your tank won't slide out from under it in warmer weather. Butch has a point about cracking and expansion, but your vent valve opening in the fill cap should keep the tank from cracking.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 6:43 pm
by ronbo404
Hi, I have a 1988 13 super sport limited and I have (I think) 16 gallon tank under the rear seat, tight but it works
whaler 12.JPG
whaler 12.JPG (94.05 KiB) Viewed 20909 times



Ron

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:59 am
by JRP
Dutchman wrote:...your vent valve opening in the fill cap should keep the tank from cracking.


All the new portable tanks are ventless. Do these larger Moeller tanks still have a vent?

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:26 am
by Jefecinco
I believe all the new plastic tanks can only be vented manually per the EPA mandates. Holding down the plastic screw in the center of the fill cap will manually vent the tank.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:42 pm
by Dutchman
Jefecinco wrote:I believe all the new plastic tanks can only be vented manually per the EPA mandates. Holding down the plastic screw in the center of the fill cap will manually vent the tank.

Manual venting is what I meant too.

JRP: what is considered "new"? Please specify.

When I do vessel exams ALL fuel tanks must be vented per USCG regulations. This includes potable tanks through small manually-operable vents.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:04 pm
by JRP
Sorry, I was referring to the low-permeation portable tanks that have been in use since c.2011 that do not vent out below 5-PSI of internal pressure. Calling them "non-venting" is not technically correct, but that is how they are commonly referred to. There is no open vent on these tanks like the older tanks before the change over, but they do allow vacuum venting (venting in) and have a sort of relief valve in the event of excess internal pressure build-up.

I was wondering if these larger Moeller tanks have the same configuration as the low-permeation portable tanks? The low-permeation portable tanks can swell and expand significantly, especially if direct sunlight shines on them.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:46 am
by Jefecinco
Thanks for the information that the "new" tanks [i.e. on-deck fuel tanks that comply with the latest regulations from the EPA] vent automatically at 5-PSI. That's good to know. A pressure of 5-PSI is inconsequential in a tire but is a lot of pressure for a plastic fuel tank, thus the significant swelling of the tank at a bit under 5-PSI.

I have not yet heard of a cracked or burst "new" fuel tank, but, due to the ravages of the marine environment and hard use, it won't surprise me when it happens.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2015 7:20 pm
by drtlvr
[The clearance of] 7-inches is just at the edge of the seat [of the Boston Whaler 13 SUPER SPORT LIMITED boat]. [Beyond] that lip [the clearance under the seat increases, and there is] plenty of room[. I] think [I'm] going to order the [larger] tank.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:52 am
by jimh
Which tanks from Moeller have you been measuring?

Based on their 2016 catalog (available on-line as a PDF file), I don't see any portable on-deck fuel tank that would fit under a 7-inch high seat. What is the Moeller part number for the tank you are planning to buy?

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 5:31 pm
by flymo
Note that the older style "unscrew to vent" caps are still available separately - and work as well as they always did. I'm all for being environmentally sound, but I've spilled far more gas with all of these newer style caps for different types of tanks than I ever did with the bad old ones.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 10:43 am
by Jefecinco
flymo,

Where are the old style caps that will fit the new style tanks available. I've not yet seem any [u]that will fit the new tanks[u]. I would also like to find new cap/spout assemblies of the old type to fit my new portable gas tanks used to service my lawn care equipment. On those tanks I've found the tank fill neck threads will not accept the old cap/spout assemblies.

I assume our vigilant EPA mandated that the fill neck threads of the new tanks be different from those of the old tanks.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 11:43 am
by flymo
I can't speak to any possible change in threading on the marine gas tank caps - but for lawn equipment, look up "EZ Pour Spout."

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 1:40 pm
by JRP
flymo wrote:I can't speak to any possible change in threading on the marine gas tank caps - but for lawn equipment, look up "EZ Pour Spout."



Anyone looking for a portable gas jug such as is used for filling lawn equipment, will be better served by investing in a "No-Spill" brand container. These are better in every respect than any of the spouts and jugs from the "good old days", and they are fully EPA compliant too. I own several different sizes of these containers and will happily give-away my very much inferior jugs that were purchased in "the good old days" -- there is simply no comparison for convenience.

http://www.nospill.com

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 2:53 pm
by flymo
How fast do they pour? That's the downfall of many of the containers I have tried - you're holding a 5 gallon jug up in the air while the fuel comes out in drops.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2015 3:37 pm
by JRP
flymo wrote:How fast do they pour? That's the downfall of many of the containers I have tried - you're holding a 5 gallon jug up in the air while the fuel comes out in drops.



They pour plenty fast enough. And best of all, they shut off the flow automatically when the tank you are filling reaches capacity. (Watch the video at the link above for a demonstration.) So not only is the nozzle mechanism a no-spil/no-fuss device, but there is no risk of making a mess from over-filling the receiving tank.

There is also a "notch" molded into the fill spout that allows some of the weight to be carried by the lip of the tank being filled. But if hefting a 5-gallon jug is tricky for someone, skip that size and simply purchase two of the 2.5 gallon jugs. I own 1.25, 2.5, and 5 gallon versions, and my favorite is the 2.5 gallon. It actually holds about 2.8 gallons with room to spare, and is a nice size for all-around usage. The little 1.25 gallon (which is closer to 1.5+ gallons capacity) is also very handy for filling smaller apparatus like push mowers, weed whackers, chainsaws, etc.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:39 am
by Dutchman
JRP thanks for bringing that product and Jill to our attention. Similar to the old spring loaded snouts I had on some old jerrycans. I like this new push-button design.
Now if I only could get one closer than 58 miles away. I probably have to be patient for some local hardware store to start carrying them.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:16 am
by flymo
They sell them on Amazon. I may try the diesel version, but I am worried that there's only a top handle - seems like you need three hands to hold in in place and push the button.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 3:48 pm
by flymo
JRP, I got the diesel version of the carry tank you recommended for Christmas. I'm happy that it has a rear handle in addition to the top handle. Unfortunately, it pours quite slowly indeed - nowhere near as fast as a conventional spout and air vent. Oh well.

Re: Super Sport Limited Fuel Tank

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:49 pm
by FISHNFF
I have eight old-style Rubbermaid red plastic fuel tanks. We often fill our berthed Grady White by driving to the local corner gas station. Saves a bunch over the long run and much less chance of water in fuel. The older style fill much much faster than the newer tanks. I bought a few new tanks and sold them after a few tries.

On eBay, I found sellers with "new" repair kits specifically for the red Rubbermsid tanks. About $19 gets you new spout and caps. Everything to make it "new" again.

FISHNFF