Moeller 22-gallon On-deck Fuel Tank on 1995 DAUNTLESS 15

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roadies
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Moeller 22-gallon On-deck Fuel Tank on 1995 DAUNTLESS 15

Postby roadies » Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:02 am

Q1: will a Moeller 22-gallon on-deck fuel tank model number 031626 expand, causing it to press against the seat tub of a 1995 DAUNTLESS 15?

The corners look quite tight on the seat on a DAUNTLESS 15. The seat tub on the Dauntless 15 is a fair bit narrower than the very similar looking later model reversible pilot seat [used on a different boat, the 170 MONTAUK], as seen below:

Image
Fig. 1. An image of the Moeller 22-gallon fuel tank under the seat of a 170 MONTAUK boat.
This image originally appeared in
another thread on the topic of the Moeller 22-gallon on-deck fuel tank.

Another apparent option is the Moeller 18-gallon fuel tank Model 031620. which should fit underneath [the seat base of a 1995 DAUNTLESS 15] quite perfectly.

The 22-gallon tank tank has the fuel filler is at the back and the tank is white: both features are nice.

The Moeller 18-gallon on-deck WHITE fuel tank Model 031527 has common dimension to the Moeller 18-gallon on-deck RED fuel tank Model 031620 , but [the WHITE. tank has the] the aft and angled filler. [Moeller 18-gallon on-deck WHITE fuel tank Model 031527]l may be a good alternative as it puts the fuel fill [aft of] the seat and the tank color is white, and it will not impinge on the seat corners like the 22-gallon may.

BACK STORY
I may buy one of the Moeller on-deck fuel tanks for my 1995 DAUNTLESS 15 to replace a Pate Plastics 15-gallon fiberglass fuel tank that has seriously degraded. For convenience, I may stick with the red, 18-gallon Moeller on-deck fuel tank Model 031620 because the foot print nearly perfectly matches the mounting blocks and cleats for the existing Pate 15 gallon tank.

Going with the Moeller 18-gallon on-deck fuel tank in white with tilted filler spout, Model 031527, would require shifting the tank [aft] two-inches from the existing Pate Plastics 15-gallon fuel tank location as the filler on the Moeller tank would otherwise hit the rear opening on the console seat.

jimh
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Re: Moeller 22-gallon On-deck Fuel Tank on DAUNTLESS 15

Postby jimh » Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:48 am

If you have concern about the fit of the 22-gallon Moeller white on-deck fuel tank becoming an interference fit at the opening of the molded seat base on your DAUNTLESS 15 boat if the tank swells when it is heated by sunlight and pressure accumulates in the tank, a possible remedy to this possible problem may be to remove the edge trim piece from the opening in the seat, grind off one-eighth-inch of the laminate at each rounded corner, and reinstall the trim piece.

Jefecinco
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Re: Moeller 22-gallon On-deck Fuel Tank on DAUNTLESS 15

Postby Jefecinco » Mon Jun 05, 2023 10:18 am

I have noticed that virtually all the expansion of our Moller six gallon tank is vertical. This may be a feature of the design.
Butch

jimh
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Re: Moeller 22-gallon On-deck Fuel Tank on 1995 DAUNTLESS 15

Postby jimh » Mon Jun 05, 2023 10:55 am

roadies wrote:Going with the Moeller 18-gallon on-deck fuel tank in white with tilted filler spout, Model 031527, would require shifting the tank [aft] two-inches from the existing Pate Plastics 15-gallon fuel tank location as the filler on the Moeller tank would otherwise hit the rear opening on the console seat.
Because the shift in fuel tank position will be toward the stern, the new tank placement should obscure any prior and now unused holes in the cockpit deck for the tank hold-down mechanism. You can easily just fill the old fastener holes with caulk to prevent ingress of water.

The new two-inch-farther aft position does not seem to be a serious detriment, and the value of the aft-slanting filler tube and the white color would seem to outweigh this minor shift in the position of the fuel tank.

If the prior 15-gallon-capacity fuel tank was suitable for the boat's use, I don't see why increasing to 22-gallon capacity would be mandated. Also, increasing to 18-gallons is a 20-percent increase from the prior 15-gallon capacity of the existing tank.