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Author Topic:   OUTRAGE 18 Fuel Tank Re-Sized

george nagy posted 09-03-2014 09:54 AM ET (US)
It is time to repair the soft deck on my Outrage 18. I have been thinking about the fuel tank. I don't see any signs of tank troubles, yet, but have read about hidden problems others have encountered on the bottoms of their tanks. I have always wanted some sort of fresh water supply aboard for showering-off after a swim or dive, and thought this may be the time to install a tank below deck. My preliminary idea is to have the fuel tank shortened so that a small plastic water tank could be installed in front of it. With the newer engines having much greater efficiency and my family boating habits I rarely fill the existing fuel tank past half way, even with my two-stroke Johnson, 30 gallons seems fine for me. I could plumb a water tank with a remote filler and pump located in the console and perhaps carry 15 gallons or so. I wanted to run this by anyone who may have done something similar or someone who has better working knowledge of the underside layout of the outrage hull to see if my plan will work.
jimh posted 09-03-2014 12:57 PM ET (US)
George--your plan sounds radical. Water from an under-deck built-in tank is usually not up to par for drinking. For rinsing off saltwater, tank water might be okay. It seems far simpler to just carry a 5-gallon plastic container of freshwater on-deck.
If your OUTRAGE 18 internal fuel tank does need replacement, it is certainly workable to replace the original with a smaller capacity tank. But I wouldn't undertake doing surgery on an existing tank just to carve out some space for a water tank under the deck. On the other hand, as a freshwater boater I guess I am spoiled; we just jump in for a refreshing dip. Maybe after a day in the sun and spray of the ocean I would appreciate the value of 30-gallons of freshwater on board.
hauptjm posted 09-03-2014 02:45 PM ET (US)
George - having been down this road recently, I'm not sure I'd change my tank size.
Similarly, someone recommended I reduce the size of my tank down to 50 gallons in light of the efficiency of the newer motors. After pricing several very compentent aluminum fabricators, I was appalled at the cost. My new tank, a factory OEM replacment from Florida Marine Tank (FMT) with shipping came in right around $850.00. A local custom tank (smaller) would been 25-40% more.
Not inclusive of price, is the fact that this FMT tank fit precisly where it was supposed to with no modifications necessary. All fittings, fills, vents, etc. were exactly correct to the through deck hatches, fuel lines, etc.
Now, truth be told, I have a real hard time getting past half of a tank of fuel. I'll use the heck out of my boat over several weekends and "squeeze" 30 gallons in, when the tank holds 63. Fortunately, most of my boating/fishing occurs in a 20 mile radius of my camp. But, on those days/trips I trailer to a destination (Florida, Texas, etc.)and take the boat offshore or exploring, I know I've got more than enough fuel to get me there and back.
My boat actually came from the factory with a raw water washdown. I know it wasn't a fresh water system, but I removed it when I had the transom rebuilt to close off as many holes in the transom as possible. I never used it and it was just one more thing to fix. Fact is, a 5 gallon bucket works just as well on an 18ft. boat.
Getting back to the tank, if you're going to remove the deck for repairs, don't hesitate to replace the tank. Mine was 27 years old and didn't leak a drop, and I am soooo happy I replaced it. I replaced my tank, had the deck core completely replaced and reglassed and rebuilt my transom, removed the Armstrong Bracket and replaced it with a 12 inch setback-hydralic jackplate and a brand new 150hp ETEC. It's like a brand new boat again. Hopefully, it will last another 27 years!

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Author	Topic: OUTRAGE 18 Fuel Tank Re-Sized
george nagy	posted 09-03-2014 09:54 AM ET (US) It is time to repair the soft deck on my Outrage 18. I have been thinking about the fuel tank. I don't see any signs of tank troubles, yet, but have read about hidden problems others have encountered on the bottoms of their tanks. I have always wanted some sort of fresh water supply aboard for showering-off after a swim or dive, and thought this may be the time to install a tank below deck. My preliminary idea is to have the fuel tank shortened so that a small plastic water tank could be installed in front of it. With the newer engines having much greater efficiency and my family boating habits I rarely fill the existing fuel tank past half way, even with my two-stroke Johnson, 30 gallons seems fine for me. I could plumb a water tank with a remote filler and pump located in the console and perhaps carry 15 gallons or so. I wanted to run this by anyone who may have done something similar or someone who has better working knowledge of the underside layout of the outrage hull to see if my plan will work.
jimh	posted 09-03-2014 12:57 PM ET (US) George--your plan sounds radical. Water from an under-deck built-in tank is usually not up to par for drinking. For rinsing off saltwater, tank water might be okay. It seems far simpler to just carry a 5-gallon plastic container of freshwater on-deck. If your OUTRAGE 18 internal fuel tank does need replacement, it is certainly workable to replace the original with a smaller capacity tank. But I wouldn't undertake doing surgery on an existing tank just to carve out some space for a water tank under the deck. On the other hand, as a freshwater boater I guess I am spoiled; we just jump in for a refreshing dip. Maybe after a day in the sun and spray of the ocean I would appreciate the value of 30-gallons of freshwater on board.
hauptjm	posted 09-03-2014 02:45 PM ET (US) George - having been down this road recently, I'm not sure I'd change my tank size. Similarly, someone recommended I reduce the size of my tank down to 50 gallons in light of the efficiency of the newer motors. After pricing several very compentent aluminum fabricators, I was appalled at the cost. My new tank, a factory OEM replacment from Florida Marine Tank (FMT) with shipping came in right around $850.00. A local custom tank (smaller) would been 25-40% more. Not inclusive of price, is the fact that this FMT tank fit precisly where it was supposed to with no modifications necessary. All fittings, fills, vents, etc. were exactly correct to the through deck hatches, fuel lines, etc. Now, truth be told, I have a real hard time getting past half of a tank of fuel. I'll use the heck out of my boat over several weekends and "squeeze" 30 gallons in, when the tank holds 63. Fortunately, most of my boating/fishing occurs in a 20 mile radius of my camp. But, on those days/trips I trailer to a destination (Florida, Texas, etc.)and take the boat offshore or exploring, I know I've got more than enough fuel to get me there and back. My boat actually came from the factory with a raw water washdown. I know it wasn't a fresh water system, but I removed it when I had the transom rebuilt to close off as many holes in the transom as possible. I never used it and it was just one more thing to fix. Fact is, a 5 gallon bucket works just as well on an 18ft. boat. Getting back to the tank, if you're going to remove the deck for repairs, don't hesitate to replace the tank. Mine was 27 years old and didn't leak a drop, and I am soooo happy I replaced it. I replaced my tank, had the deck core completely replaced and reglassed and rebuilt my transom, removed the Armstrong Bracket and replaced it with a 12 inch setback-hydralic jackplate and a brand new 150hp ETEC. It's like a brand new boat again. Hopefully, it will last another 27 years!