Q1: what are the dimensions of the fuel tank canvity on a 1981 OUTRAGE 24 that has the twin 70-gallon fuel tank configuration?
Q2: what is the "proper" size of a replacement fuel tank for a 1981 OUTRAGE 24?
Q3: what non-metal fuel tank made by Moeller would be a good choice to replace the OEM twin 70-gallon fuel tanks on a 1981 OUTRAGE 24.
BACK STORY
My 1981 OUTRAGE 24 has two 70-gallon capacity fuel tanks as originally built. I want to replace both tanks with non-metal fuel tanks.
1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank Replacment
Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank Replacement
There are no off-the-shelf plastic tanks available to fit the fuel tank cavity on a 1981 OUTRAGE 25.
An aluminum tank will last more than 40-years.
You should;
The cost for a new custom-fabricated fuel tank will be about $7 to $9-per-gallon capacity.
An aluminum tank will last more than 40-years.
You should;
- pull out the existing fuel tanks
- take detailed measurements, and
- and have a local fabricator give you a quote.
The cost for a new custom-fabricated fuel tank will be about $7 to $9-per-gallon capacity.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003
Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank Replacment
Any non-metal fuel tank would typically be made in a mold, so the chances that someone has invested the enormous costs necessary (to create a mold for a particular fuel tank space on a 1981 OUTRAGE 24 in order to create non-metal replacement fuel tanks) are extraordinarily small or perhaps zero.
The fuel tank cavity used on most below-deck classic-era Boston Whaler OUTRAGE boats requires a vee-shape-bottom fuel tank to properly fit the tank cavity. Most off-the-shelf non-metal molded fuel tanks will not have a vee-shaped-bottom or if the do it may not be the proper shape.
Also, in older OUTRAGE boats with twin tanks, the aft tank might have been fitted by cutting out a transverse bulkhead in the original hull as molded. This was typically an option, as otherwise a single tank was a 77-gallon capacity tank.
If your 1981 OUTRAGE 24 (which later was re-designated as an OUTRAGE 25) has 140-gallon fuel capacity, you probably will not really need that much fuel if the boat has been re-powered with modern outboard engines. If the boat still has 1981-era two-stroke-power-cycle engines that are not particularly good on fuel economy, then you may want to retain a 140-gallon total capacity. Of course, the fuel endurance needed or desired will depend on how the boat is used.
The use of non-metal fuel tanks can create some problems with permeation and escape of gasoline odors from the fuel tank. Also the mounting and securing-in-place of the tank has to be carefully considered. An aluminum tank can have tabs welded on to facilitate mounting, but a molded plastic tank generally has to be fixed in place with straps. The straps must have some place in the hull that is strong and reinforced to tolerate the loading of the strap and the tank it is holding.
If you MUST use a non-metal fuel tank, you could approach the problem by selecting a more rectangular-shaped off-the-shelf tank, and then re-fabricating the fuel tank cavity in your boat to fit the shape of the new fuel tank.
As for welded aluminum fuel tanks, if they are properly kept dry and away from intrusion of water--either inside the tank or on the outer surfaces of the tank--the service life can be very long.
The fuel tank cavity used on most below-deck classic-era Boston Whaler OUTRAGE boats requires a vee-shape-bottom fuel tank to properly fit the tank cavity. Most off-the-shelf non-metal molded fuel tanks will not have a vee-shaped-bottom or if the do it may not be the proper shape.
Also, in older OUTRAGE boats with twin tanks, the aft tank might have been fitted by cutting out a transverse bulkhead in the original hull as molded. This was typically an option, as otherwise a single tank was a 77-gallon capacity tank.
If your 1981 OUTRAGE 24 (which later was re-designated as an OUTRAGE 25) has 140-gallon fuel capacity, you probably will not really need that much fuel if the boat has been re-powered with modern outboard engines. If the boat still has 1981-era two-stroke-power-cycle engines that are not particularly good on fuel economy, then you may want to retain a 140-gallon total capacity. Of course, the fuel endurance needed or desired will depend on how the boat is used.
The use of non-metal fuel tanks can create some problems with permeation and escape of gasoline odors from the fuel tank. Also the mounting and securing-in-place of the tank has to be carefully considered. An aluminum tank can have tabs welded on to facilitate mounting, but a molded plastic tank generally has to be fixed in place with straps. The straps must have some place in the hull that is strong and reinforced to tolerate the loading of the strap and the tank it is holding.
If you MUST use a non-metal fuel tank, you could approach the problem by selecting a more rectangular-shaped off-the-shelf tank, and then re-fabricating the fuel tank cavity in your boat to fit the shape of the new fuel tank.
As for welded aluminum fuel tanks, if they are properly kept dry and away from intrusion of water--either inside the tank or on the outer surfaces of the tank--the service life can be very long.