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Author Topic:   1974 Revenge 21: Replacement Fuel Tank

1974revenge posted 03-06-2010 03:15 PM ET (US)
Hello. I just found out I need a new fuel tank for a 1974 Revenge 21. Old one is shot. Where can I buy a replacement? Should I be looking for plastic or metal? I know that the original [fuel tanks on the 1974 Boston Whaler REVENGE 21] were metal, but would it be wiser to try a plastic one that will fit? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, any dimensions of replacement tanks would be great.
Thanks
dfmcintyre posted 03-06-2010 06:00 PM ET (US)
You can still order one from the OEM, Florida Marine Tanks
http://www.floridamarinetanks.com/default.cfm
I think you'll have a problem trying to find a plastic one that would fit the tank cavity. You might loose capacity. Note that the bottom of the tank is odd sized, due to the rigging tunnel.
Best - Don
1974revenge posted 03-06-2010 06:07 PM ET (US)
I found a 40 gallon tank that has the following dimensions: 28 inches wide, 10 inches tall, 39 inches long. It has a tapered bottom.
Do you think this would fit?
I would like to make the switch to a poly tank to eliminate corrosion in the future.
dfmcintyre posted 03-06-2010 10:27 PM ET (US)
How does it compare with your current one? I'd measure mine, but it's currently in winter storage...
What I meant by the tank being odd sized is that due to the rigging tunnel, the "V" of the tank is not centered. It's off set to the left by a few inches.
If you found one to fit the "V" exactly, the tank would be off set in the cavity, and therefore lose capacity.
Don
dfmcintyre posted 03-06-2010 10:37 PM ET (US)
Regarding the corrosion; um, the current tank lasted over three decades.
Regards - Don
1974revenge posted 03-07-2010 06:44 AM ET (US)
I am unable to measure the old one as the mechanics who removed it to fix a "small hole", blew it up in an accident with the welder!
Yes..it exploded like a bomb..no one was hurt they told me and it was far away from the boat..looks like they did not get all the fumes out when they attempted to make the weld.
Good safety lessons here!
1974revenge posted 03-07-2010 06:48 AM ET (US)
As for the corrosion, 30 years is a long time, but it will have to be replaced eventually, Now that we have plastics that last thousands of years, it seems like a smarter move. I agree though if I would have to lose capacity, I cannot afford to do that with only 40 gallons to start with. So metal might be the only choice here.
fla656 posted 03-08-2010 03:57 PM ET (US)
A BOMB!
4whaler posted 03-12-2010 12:56 PM ET (US)
[The OEM fuel tank on a 1974 Boston Whaler REVENGE 21] is an offset V-bottom shape. I went down the same road ,and was going to get a new [fuel tank], but decided to pressure test the old [fuel tank] with soap bubble spray first. I found on pin hole at the gas vent fitting weld and patched it myself with NAP and an aluminum welding rod you can get at gun and boat shows. I had [the fuel tank] out and open for 2 years before I did this to avoid the blow up problem, and then I still ran compressed air thru [the fuel tank] for several hours before putting the torch to it. [The fuel tank] had some scale corrosion under the hold down straps on top and the neoprene pads under the bottom where air couldn't get to the moisture but I brushed [the corrosion] all off.
[The fuel tank is] back in the hull and I'll get some more years out of it as the boat is now trailered but still in restoration, and I have an extra drain hole in the bottom of the gas tank compartment that connects to the bilge. [The fuel tank cavity] will get wet but not have trapped standing water like the original design tends to do cause the drain is on the top of the take compartment. Get the Florida Marine aluminum [replacement fuel tank] if you need a new [fuel tank].
There are also saddle tanks available that some folks use to extend range for offshore fishing as the hull tank is only 40 gallons. Aluminum saddle tanks can be made up to go under the gunwales and you just use then and close the hull tank compartment.
contender posted 03-12-2010 01:13 PM ET (US)
Smart welders. Anytime you work on a tank that has or had some type of fuel, you are suppose to fill the tank with water to get rid of all the fumes. I would not use them again.
I would try and make a template gas tank out of carboard or thin door skin wood as to what you want. See if the tank fits your opening or where you need to place it. Then take the model to a new welder to have an aluminum tank built. Do not forget about were you want or need your fuel fill, tank vent, and gauge placed, use .125 thickness. Good luck to you
1974revenge posted 03-12-2010 02:52 PM ET (US)
Update: I went to the shop and saw my old tank that they said "blew up", it did expand (probably about 75% larger than normal) like a balloon, but I can say that the explosion was contained within the tank. Points for the strength of aluminum.
I found a marine fuel tank fabricator that specializes in marine fuel tank construction, coast guard approved, baffles, pressure tested, etc. I found the exact engineering drawings for my 40-gallon tank and provided him with it.
He is making a new one as we speak, using 0.125-inch aluminum.
The drawings are being kept on file in case anyone else needs a tank made. I spoke with Florida Marine Tanks, they were slightly lower in price, but used thinner material, had a long build time, over 1 month, and the shipping cost was very high, making the total cost much more than I paid.
I told him to take photos of the tank before he closes it up so I can see the interior and I will take photos of the completed tank as well.
If anyone would like these photos emailed to them, let me know and I will send them later.
jimh posted 03-13-2010 09:25 AM ET (US)
From what source did you obtain the original engineering drawings for the OEM tank?
1974revenge posted 03-13-2010 11:27 AM ET (US)
Found it on site online..someone had posted it.
Can't remember which site though..not here.
I can email it to you if you would like to post it here.
Let me know
1974revenge posted 03-13-2010 11:30 AM ET (US)
I want to also repeat my original quote.."I found the exact engineering drawings for my 40-gallon tank"
Not to be confused with "the original engineering drawings for the OEM tank".
Someone took the time to make up an exact engineering drawing of the tank and posted it.
It is possible that it is a copy of the original, but I cannot state that.

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Author	Topic: 1974 Revenge 21: Replacement Fuel Tank
1974revenge	posted 03-06-2010 03:15 PM ET (US) Hello. I just found out I need a new fuel tank for a 1974 Revenge 21. Old one is shot. Where can I buy a replacement? Should I be looking for plastic or metal? I know that the original [fuel tanks on the 1974 Boston Whaler REVENGE 21] were metal, but would it be wiser to try a plastic one that will fit? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, any dimensions of replacement tanks would be great. Thanks
dfmcintyre	posted 03-06-2010 06:00 PM ET (US) You can still order one from the OEM, Florida Marine Tanks http://www.floridamarinetanks.com/default.cfm I think you'll have a problem trying to find a plastic one that would fit the tank cavity. You might loose capacity. Note that the bottom of the tank is odd sized, due to the rigging tunnel. Best - Don
1974revenge	posted 03-06-2010 06:07 PM ET (US) I found a 40 gallon tank that has the following dimensions: 28 inches wide, 10 inches tall, 39 inches long. It has a tapered bottom. Do you think this would fit? I would like to make the switch to a poly tank to eliminate corrosion in the future.
dfmcintyre	posted 03-06-2010 10:27 PM ET (US) How does it compare with your current one? I'd measure mine, but it's currently in winter storage... What I meant by the tank being odd sized is that due to the rigging tunnel, the "V" of the tank is not centered. It's off set to the left by a few inches. If you found one to fit the "V" exactly, the tank would be off set in the cavity, and therefore lose capacity. Don
dfmcintyre	posted 03-06-2010 10:37 PM ET (US) Regarding the corrosion; um, the current tank lasted over three decades. Regards - Don
1974revenge	posted 03-07-2010 06:44 AM ET (US) I am unable to measure the old one as the mechanics who removed it to fix a "small hole", blew it up in an accident with the welder! Yes..it exploded like a bomb..no one was hurt they told me and it was far away from the boat..looks like they did not get all the fumes out when they attempted to make the weld. Good safety lessons here!
1974revenge	posted 03-07-2010 06:48 AM ET (US) As for the corrosion, 30 years is a long time, but it will have to be replaced eventually, Now that we have plastics that last thousands of years, it seems like a smarter move. I agree though if I would have to lose capacity, I cannot afford to do that with only 40 gallons to start with. So metal might be the only choice here.
fla656	posted 03-08-2010 03:57 PM ET (US) A BOMB!
4whaler	posted 03-12-2010 12:56 PM ET (US) [The OEM fuel tank on a 1974 Boston Whaler REVENGE 21] is an offset V-bottom shape. I went down the same road ,and was going to get a new [fuel tank], but decided to pressure test the old [fuel tank] with soap bubble spray first. I found on pin hole at the gas vent fitting weld and patched it myself with NAP and an aluminum welding rod you can get at gun and boat shows. I had [the fuel tank] out and open for 2 years before I did this to avoid the blow up problem, and then I still ran compressed air thru [the fuel tank] for several hours before putting the torch to it. [The fuel tank] had some scale corrosion under the hold down straps on top and the neoprene pads under the bottom where air couldn't get to the moisture but I brushed [the corrosion] all off. [The fuel tank is] back in the hull and I'll get some more years out of it as the boat is now trailered but still in restoration, and I have an extra drain hole in the bottom of the gas tank compartment that connects to the bilge. [The fuel tank cavity] will get wet but not have trapped standing water like the original design tends to do cause the drain is on the top of the take compartment. Get the Florida Marine aluminum [replacement fuel tank] if you need a new [fuel tank]. There are also saddle tanks available that some folks use to extend range for offshore fishing as the hull tank is only 40 gallons. Aluminum saddle tanks can be made up to go under the gunwales and you just use then and close the hull tank compartment.
contender	posted 03-12-2010 01:13 PM ET (US) Smart welders. Anytime you work on a tank that has or had some type of fuel, you are suppose to fill the tank with water to get rid of all the fumes. I would not use them again. I would try and make a template gas tank out of carboard or thin door skin wood as to what you want. See if the tank fits your opening or where you need to place it. Then take the model to a new welder to have an aluminum tank built. Do not forget about were you want or need your fuel fill, tank vent, and gauge placed, use .125 thickness. Good luck to you
1974revenge	posted 03-12-2010 02:52 PM ET (US) Update: I went to the shop and saw my old tank that they said "blew up", it did expand (probably about 75% larger than normal) like a balloon, but I can say that the explosion was contained within the tank. Points for the strength of aluminum. I found a marine fuel tank fabricator that specializes in marine fuel tank construction, coast guard approved, baffles, pressure tested, etc. I found the exact engineering drawings for my 40-gallon tank and provided him with it. He is making a new one as we speak, using 0.125-inch aluminum. The drawings are being kept on file in case anyone else needs a tank made. I spoke with Florida Marine Tanks, they were slightly lower in price, but used thinner material, had a long build time, over 1 month, and the shipping cost was very high, making the total cost much more than I paid. I told him to take photos of the tank before he closes it up so I can see the interior and I will take photos of the completed tank as well. If anyone would like these photos emailed to them, let me know and I will send them later.
jimh	posted 03-13-2010 09:25 AM ET (US) From what source did you obtain the original engineering drawings for the OEM tank?
1974revenge	posted 03-13-2010 11:27 AM ET (US) Found it on site online..someone had posted it. Can't remember which site though..not here. I can email it to you if you would like to post it here. Let me know
1974revenge	posted 03-13-2010 11:30 AM ET (US) I want to also repeat my original quote.."I found the exact engineering drawings for my 40-gallon tank" Not to be confused with "the original engineering drawings for the OEM tank". Someone took the time to make up an exact engineering drawing of the tank and posted it. It is possible that it is a copy of the original, but I cannot state that.