1978 OUTRAGE 19 Lo-Profile Fuel Tank Dimensions

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Author Topic:   1978 OUTRAGE 19 Lo-Profile Fuel Tank Dimensions

bradvasek posted 10-06-2014 01:47 PM ET (US)
I recently bought a 1978 OUTRAGE 19 Lo Profile. The old aluminum fuel tank was rotted out and scraped by the previous owner. I want to know if anyone has or knows the dimensions for that tank, I know that the “V” in the fuel tank hold is slightly offset. Currently the boat is at the shop getting re-gel coated so I am unable to measure it myself. I would like to have a custom polly tank made by either IMCO or MOELLER, but I don't have the measurements. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated!
jimh posted 10-06-2014 09:49 PM ET (US)
I am not certain, but I believe that the dimensions of the fuel tank would not be affected by the Lo Profile modification. The fuel tank ought to have the same dimensions as the fuel tank on a standard c.1978 OUTRAGE 19.
I was going to suggest contacting Florida Marine Tanks, but, since you don't want an aluminum fuel tank, they might not be the best vendor, and might not want to distribute their tank dimension data.
Boston Whaler customer service can often come up with the most amazing records. It is worth the time to call them. They may have the dimensional drawing you need
Phil T posted 10-07-2014 08:51 AM ET (US)
I would recommend you NOT attempt a plastic tank. In over ten years of reading two Whaler discussion boards I have never seen or read of a successful installation of a plastic tank in a model that had a metal tank installed. Save yourself a lot of hassle and contact FMT. They have the dimensions--but will not give them to you--and can make a replacement tank to OEM standards that will last more than 20 years.
Jefecinco posted 10-07-2014 10:38 AM ET (US)
Given the successful use of plastic gasoline tanks by Boston Whaler for at least the past 15 years I believe a custom made plastic tank could be used to replace an aluminum tank.
There are considerations other than dimensional matching. The potential moderate deformation of a plastic tank filled with fuel is one matter I would want to discuss with the tank maker. They may need to know the dimensions of the cavity as well as the old tank.
As Jim suggested, a call to Boston Whaler may provide all the information needed.
Butch
jimh posted 10-07-2014 11:09 AM ET (US)
SIDEBAR DISCUSSION
It seems clear that a fuel tank fabricated from aluminum and welded together could be made to just about any form and dimension. The aluminum material can be cut and shaped, and then welded together.
A fuel tank fabricated from plastic seems, to my unacquainted view, to be made in a mold. This suggests to me that making a fuel tank in a custom shape from plastic would require first making a mold, then making a tank from the mold. Or, is it possible to assemble a plastic fuel tank from cut pieces and somehow join them together in a manner similar to a welded aluminum tank?
dfmcintyre posted 10-07-2014 04:32 PM ET (US)
I've not heard of a company that can produce a custom sized plastic tank.
If corrosion is a concern, and you boat in salt water one solution that's been suggested before is have the new aluminum tank coated in vehicle undercoating material.
Regards - Don
Jerry Townsend posted 10-17-2014 04:52 PM ET (US)
I would only consider metal and not plastic - strictly from one fact. The fuel sloshing loads from a partially filled fuel tank of that size (40, 50, 60 or more) gallons in a boat with some wave action is significant. That is the reason the tank manufacturers put baffles in their tanks - but baffleing a plastic tank is not possible.
And that is the reason that Whaler only puts metal tanks in their boat with a larger fuel capacity. Go with Florida Fuel Tanks - or call Whaler. --- Jerry/Idaho
Jerry Townsend posted 10-17-2014 04:59 PM ET (US)
Another point I was going to make - consider installing a drain from your fuel tank area. That is one thing I appreciate on my 17 Outrage II - a drain from the fuel tank area into the deep-well - which I can open periodically. ---- Jerry/Idaho

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Author	Topic: 1978 OUTRAGE 19 Lo-Profile Fuel Tank Dimensions
bradvasek	posted 10-06-2014 01:47 PM ET (US) I recently bought a 1978 OUTRAGE 19 Lo Profile. The old aluminum fuel tank was rotted out and scraped by the previous owner. I want to know if anyone has or knows the dimensions for that tank, I know that the “V” in the fuel tank hold is slightly offset. Currently the boat is at the shop getting re-gel coated so I am unable to measure it myself. I would like to have a custom polly tank made by either IMCO or MOELLER, but I don't have the measurements. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated!
jimh	posted 10-06-2014 09:49 PM ET (US) I am not certain, but I believe that the dimensions of the fuel tank would not be affected by the Lo Profile modification. The fuel tank ought to have the same dimensions as the fuel tank on a standard c.1978 OUTRAGE 19. I was going to suggest contacting Florida Marine Tanks, but, since you don't want an aluminum fuel tank, they might not be the best vendor, and might not want to distribute their tank dimension data. Boston Whaler customer service can often come up with the most amazing records. It is worth the time to call them. They may have the dimensional drawing you need
Phil T	posted 10-07-2014 08:51 AM ET (US) I would recommend you NOT attempt a plastic tank. In over ten years of reading two Whaler discussion boards I have never seen or read of a successful installation of a plastic tank in a model that had a metal tank installed. Save yourself a lot of hassle and contact FMT. They have the dimensions--but will not give them to you--and can make a replacement tank to OEM standards that will last more than 20 years.
Jefecinco	posted 10-07-2014 10:38 AM ET (US) Given the successful use of plastic gasoline tanks by Boston Whaler for at least the past 15 years I believe a custom made plastic tank could be used to replace an aluminum tank. There are considerations other than dimensional matching. The potential moderate deformation of a plastic tank filled with fuel is one matter I would want to discuss with the tank maker. They may need to know the dimensions of the cavity as well as the old tank. As Jim suggested, a call to Boston Whaler may provide all the information needed. Butch
jimh	posted 10-07-2014 11:09 AM ET (US) SIDEBAR DISCUSSION It seems clear that a fuel tank fabricated from aluminum and welded together could be made to just about any form and dimension. The aluminum material can be cut and shaped, and then welded together. A fuel tank fabricated from plastic seems, to my unacquainted view, to be made in a mold. This suggests to me that making a fuel tank in a custom shape from plastic would require first making a mold, then making a tank from the mold. Or, is it possible to assemble a plastic fuel tank from cut pieces and somehow join them together in a manner similar to a welded aluminum tank?
dfmcintyre	posted 10-07-2014 04:32 PM ET (US) I've not heard of a company that can produce a custom sized plastic tank. If corrosion is a concern, and you boat in salt water one solution that's been suggested before is have the new aluminum tank coated in vehicle undercoating material. Regards - Don
Jerry Townsend	posted 10-17-2014 04:52 PM ET (US) I would only consider metal and not plastic - strictly from one fact. The fuel sloshing loads from a partially filled fuel tank of that size (40, 50, 60 or more) gallons in a boat with some wave action is significant. That is the reason the tank manufacturers put baffles in their tanks - but baffleing a plastic tank is not possible. And that is the reason that Whaler only puts metal tanks in their boat with a larger fuel capacity. Go with Florida Fuel Tanks - or call Whaler. --- Jerry/Idaho
Jerry Townsend	posted 10-17-2014 04:59 PM ET (US) Another point I was going to make - consider installing a drain from your fuel tank area. That is one thing I appreciate on my 17 Outrage II - a drain from the fuel tank area into the deep-well - which I can open periodically. ---- Jerry/Idaho