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Author Topic:   How a $7 part ruined my 4th of July

project13 posted 07-07-2012 03:57 PM ET (US)
To me part of appreciating classic whalers is appreciating the well made parts they originally came with. When I did my boat in '05 i installed a 15 gal tempo tank under the aft seat. About 3 seasons ago The plastic fitting coming out of the tank failed and of course I had to buy a whole new Moeller tank because tempo was gone and I couldn't just buy the fitting. On Wednesday I took my wife and kid out to go crabbing and the Moeller fitting on the hose connecting to the tank failed. I was able to get home by putting the hose straigh down the tank but we had to cancel our plans. The Moeller stuff is even more crappy than tempo. Maybe it is time for someone to make a tank of the quality like the old pate tanks with components that last more than 3 or 4 seasons. Thanks for reading my rant.
contender posted 07-07-2012 09:33 PM ET (US)
There is, its called: Build/purchase your fuel tanks out of .125 aluminum. or have one custom built, Not trying to be funny but this is one of the reasons I have tried to tell everyone here purchasing a plastic tank is foolish, problems will come with a plastic tank and its inevitable. My fittings are brass, the tank is .125 aluminum, and all welded, and never have had any problems...My last tank was 36 years old, I had a new one built because I wanted to carry more fuel (did not have to replace it)...To each his own..
Binkster posted 07-07-2012 10:05 PM ET (US)
Marine boneyards and businesses selling used marine parts usually have a large supply of aluminum tanks for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Just find one that will fit or they can be easily modified. I have also seen new ones, due to the fact that there have been so many boat builders closing their shops. I inherited a 12 gallon plastic tank when I bought my 15 footer last winter, I think I will try to find a used aluminum one.
rich
zotcha posted 07-07-2012 10:50 PM ET (US)
Bink, I may have a custom aluminum tank for you. Send me an email. It will not fit inside my console or leaning post but is approximately 18 gallon, new never used. Hows your conversion coming? zot.
frontier posted 07-08-2012 11:00 AM ET (US)
We've used many Moeller gas tanks, fittings and accessories over the last 20 years and found them to be excellent quality.
Including Moeller red above deck tanks in many sizes, and now the new Moeller white Whaler tanks, have provided excellent service.
Give them a chance to help you - Moeller customer service is second to none.
Binkster posted 07-08-2012 01:08 PM ET (US)
I'm trying to find the right reverse position helm seat that will fit a tank under it. The seat will determine the size of the gas tank. thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind. As far as the 15 footer goes, the rigging tunnel is finished, the non skid has been glassed over, and most of the digs and nicks and spider cracks have been eliminated. A couple of days work and the interior will be ready to prime, but other projects have gotten in the way. like remodeling one of my rental homes, Oh well.
rich
vquest posted 07-08-2012 11:08 PM ET (US)
Frontier:

A question about the white Moeller tanks. Is it correct that they don't quite fit under the seat of a Montauk 17 or the fill spout is not easily accessible when the tank is under the seat?
I used to have a Moeller 6.5 gallon red tank which had a threaded cap (as part of the fuel connector) which had a tendency to crack. It cracked a couple of times (before I got rid of it) and each time Moeller sent me a new one without making a big deal out of it. So they do have very good customer service.
frontier posted 07-09-2012 12:54 PM ET (US)
The Moeller white tank, part number 031626, is made for and fits perfectly under the RPS of the Montauk. The fuel spout is, by design, slanted and made for easy use.
I removed the original Whaler tank mats and used Moeller hold-down kit, part number 035710.
They are well designed and good quality.
project13 posted 07-09-2012 05:42 PM ET (US)
I suppose if I really wanted to go nuts I could have a tank made out of monel like a Rybovich, but if I had that kind of $$$ I would already have a Rybo rather than a 13 whaler. What I am trying to say is that having a custom aluminium tank made is not realistic given the price point. If I could call around and find one then great but don't think it is that easy.
One of the things that annoys me most about the Moeller tank is that it doesn't properly fit in the chalks that I made of starboard and screwed into the deck. It makes no sense that it is wider and the same height as the tempo and yet holds .5 gal less fuel.
Bottom line is why in the world is there no plastic tank out there with quality parts that is made to last?
contender posted 07-10-2012 01:56 PM ET (US)
Project: In all how much did that $7 part really cost you? Ruined your 4th, and you had to get it fixed...
domlynch posted 07-18-2012 06:33 AM ET (US)
The Moeller fits perfectly...but mine has leaked (bled) from the filler cap since day one. The fuel stain down the tank, both against the white tank is not pretty and it bleeds onto the desert tan floor of the '88 Tauk. Still haven't got round to chasing it up with them...The tank itself is good but the threads on it's neck are too fine for my liking...There is a lot on these tanks on this site.
I still have the original 1988 Pate in the garage....I may reinstall it as I only use premium fuel (not E10 etc etc)

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Author	Topic: How a $7 part ruined my 4th of July
project13	posted 07-07-2012 03:57 PM ET (US) To me part of appreciating classic whalers is appreciating the well made parts they originally came with. When I did my boat in '05 i installed a 15 gal tempo tank under the aft seat. About 3 seasons ago The plastic fitting coming out of the tank failed and of course I had to buy a whole new Moeller tank because tempo was gone and I couldn't just buy the fitting. On Wednesday I took my wife and kid out to go crabbing and the Moeller fitting on the hose connecting to the tank failed. I was able to get home by putting the hose straigh down the tank but we had to cancel our plans. The Moeller stuff is even more crappy than tempo. Maybe it is time for someone to make a tank of the quality like the old pate tanks with components that last more than 3 or 4 seasons. Thanks for reading my rant.
contender	posted 07-07-2012 09:33 PM ET (US) There is, its called: Build/purchase your fuel tanks out of .125 aluminum. or have one custom built, Not trying to be funny but this is one of the reasons I have tried to tell everyone here purchasing a plastic tank is foolish, problems will come with a plastic tank and its inevitable. My fittings are brass, the tank is .125 aluminum, and all welded, and never have had any problems...My last tank was 36 years old, I had a new one built because I wanted to carry more fuel (did not have to replace it)...To each his own..
Binkster	posted 07-07-2012 10:05 PM ET (US) Marine boneyards and businesses selling used marine parts usually have a large supply of aluminum tanks for a fraction of the cost of new ones. Just find one that will fit or they can be easily modified. I have also seen new ones, due to the fact that there have been so many boat builders closing their shops. I inherited a 12 gallon plastic tank when I bought my 15 footer last winter, I think I will try to find a used aluminum one. rich
zotcha	posted 07-07-2012 10:50 PM ET (US) Bink, I may have a custom aluminum tank for you. Send me an email. It will not fit inside my console or leaning post but is approximately 18 gallon, new never used. Hows your conversion coming? zot.
frontier	posted 07-08-2012 11:00 AM ET (US) We've used many Moeller gas tanks, fittings and accessories over the last 20 years and found them to be excellent quality. Including Moeller red above deck tanks in many sizes, and now the new Moeller white Whaler tanks, have provided excellent service. Give them a chance to help you - Moeller customer service is second to none.
Binkster	posted 07-08-2012 01:08 PM ET (US) I'm trying to find the right reverse position helm seat that will fit a tank under it. The seat will determine the size of the gas tank. thanks for the offer, I'll keep it in mind. As far as the 15 footer goes, the rigging tunnel is finished, the non skid has been glassed over, and most of the digs and nicks and spider cracks have been eliminated. A couple of days work and the interior will be ready to prime, but other projects have gotten in the way. like remodeling one of my rental homes, Oh well. rich
vquest	posted 07-08-2012 11:08 PM ET (US) Frontier: A question about the white Moeller tanks. Is it correct that they don't quite fit under the seat of a Montauk 17 or the fill spout is not easily accessible when the tank is under the seat? I used to have a Moeller 6.5 gallon red tank which had a threaded cap (as part of the fuel connector) which had a tendency to crack. It cracked a couple of times (before I got rid of it) and each time Moeller sent me a new one without making a big deal out of it. So they do have very good customer service.
frontier	posted 07-09-2012 12:54 PM ET (US) The Moeller white tank, part number 031626, is made for and fits perfectly under the RPS of the Montauk. The fuel spout is, by design, slanted and made for easy use. I removed the original Whaler tank mats and used Moeller hold-down kit, part number 035710. They are well designed and good quality.
project13	posted 07-09-2012 05:42 PM ET (US) I suppose if I really wanted to go nuts I could have a tank made out of monel like a Rybovich, but if I had that kind of $$$ I would already have a Rybo rather than a 13 whaler. What I am trying to say is that having a custom aluminium tank made is not realistic given the price point. If I could call around and find one then great but don't think it is that easy. One of the things that annoys me most about the Moeller tank is that it doesn't properly fit in the chalks that I made of starboard and screwed into the deck. It makes no sense that it is wider and the same height as the tempo and yet holds .5 gal less fuel. Bottom line is why in the world is there no plastic tank out there with quality parts that is made to last?
contender	posted 07-10-2012 01:56 PM ET (US) Project: In all how much did that $7 part really cost you? Ruined your 4th, and you had to get it fixed...
domlynch	posted 07-18-2012 06:33 AM ET (US) The Moeller fits perfectly...but mine has leaked (bled) from the filler cap since day one. The fuel stain down the tank, both against the white tank is not pretty and it bleeds onto the desert tan floor of the '88 Tauk. Still haven't got round to chasing it up with them...The tank itself is good but the threads on it's neck are too fine for my liking...There is a lot on these tanks on this site. I still have the original 1988 Pate in the garage....I may reinstall it as I only use premium fuel (not E10 etc etc)