Fibreglass tanks?...

larby · 21-01-2011, 07:19 PM

Hi all,

I've gotta sort a fuel tank for the revenger, it's a simple but complex shape to fit in snugly and the cost of an ally or stainless one is shocking!!

It's gonna be under the cockpit floor between the stringers and I want it to be as large as possible, so I'm thinking I could mould in a tank to fit perfectly or even lay in a few more layers of glass and seal the area to make a tank??

What's involved in making a glass tank? I read in the skater thread that the ethanol in fuel will eat the resin, does this apply to normal resin as well as epoxy? What could I use to seal the lid on? Is sikaflex fuel proof?

Please excuse the idiot questions but this one's quite new to me!

Cheers, James

Paul E · 21-01-2011, 07:20 PM

I've still got the 400 litre GRP monster out of my RIB if you want to adapt that. As far as I know different resin is used

larby · 21-01-2011, 08:19 PM

It'd probably be easier to start fom scratch mate as the whole idea is to get it fitting perfectly.

Using a different resin makes sense, I was wondering if there was anything they could be lined with to help too. Someone on here must know the answers for certain??

James

Hydrostream · 21-01-2011, 09:35 PM

James, Defo no on sikaflex.

You can use vinylester to build a fuel tank, but if petrol, I'm not sure how it will effect your resale or if its even legal ????
I asked about this when I was doing the first SportCat and the CE people nearly had a fit!

But if it's your boat (and a race boat) it's fair game I suppose.

For alu tanks I use Alumacraft, got plenty of tanks from them, great workmansip and not over the moon price wise.

Send Offshore Ginger a PM and point him here, he worked at Skater and can tell you the process.

Alan

OFFSHORE GINGER · 21-01-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Hi all,

I've gotta sort a fuel tank for the revenger, it's a simple but complex shape to fit in snugly and the cost of an ally or stainless one is shocking!!

It's gonna be under the cockpit floor between the stringers and I want it to be as large as possible, so I'm thinking I could mould in a tank to fit perfectly or even lay in a few more layers of glass and seal the area to make a tank??

What's involved in making a glass tank? I read in the skater thread that the ethanol in fuel will eat the resin, does this apply to normal resin as well as epoxy? What could I use to seal the lid on? Is sikaflex fuel proof?

Please excuse the idiot questions but this one's quite new to me!

Cheers, James

James the tanks were redone in the Skater because the build of the boat is Epoxy and yes the Ethanol eats away at the epoxy and sometime's will wick into the core causing even more damage which results in core replacement . James , i use a special resin along with a host of other materials that are involved in this process which i get from Skater when doing the repairs on Epoxy tanks and just to let you know........ i would not even consider using sikaflex for this type of work other then tabbing the lids in....... which i will be showing in my thread . James , do not throw your self under the bus because it never hurts to ask .

OFFSHORE GINGER · 21-01-2011, 10:25 PM

James , just a quick mention there are only two resin's made that i am aware of that are designed to withstand the abuse of Ethanol and they are Derakane which i use and Riechold.

Tony Davis · 22-01-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrostream

I asked about this when I was doing the first SportCat and the CE people nearly had a fit!

No CE in the Channel Islands, although to me that wouldn't be a good enough reason to go down that route. Go ally, it's not that expensive, and far safer.

Cookee · 22-01-2011, 08:57 AM

Scott Bader do a diesel proof resin but not one for petrol - it isn't allowed over here for petrol but as Tony said that's not relevant!

larby · 22-01-2011, 09:04 AM

Well, going by the advice on here and what I've found on OSO it looks like I'll be going with Ally. I didn't even know about the ethanol issue when I first asked the question, should've done more research first!

Thanks for the help everyone!

James

Tony Davis · 22-01-2011, 09:42 AM

Let me have some dimensions and I'll get a price for you from JC

Matt · 22-01-2011, 09:53 AM

He's the man.

larby · 22-01-2011, 10:08 AM

Ok grand, I'll have to do you a little drawing and I'll email it to you/post on here. I'll measure up while I'm up there today.

Cheers, James

Hydrostream · 22-01-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

No CE in the Channel Islands, although to me that wouldn't be a good enough reason to go down that route. Go ally, it's not that expensive, and far safer.

Thanks Tony, didnt know that!
Do the CI fall outside EU jurisdiction on all counts? What about VAT?

Paul E · 22-01-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrostream

Thanks Tony, didnt know that!
Do the CI fall outside EU jurisdiction on all counts? What about VAT?

We are exempt from paying VAT here in Guernsey. However anything sold from here destined for the mainland UK and over £17 is chargeable at the other end, or VAT can be pre-paid here. Jersey has their own form of VAT called Jersey Sales Tax, but we've always been better than them

Larby one of Ben's mates offered to make me an Ali tank for my boat, I can get him to have a word if you like? Are you heading up today? I'm not too hungover so can give you a hand for a bit if you want it

larby · 22-01-2011, 10:39 AM

Awesome on both counts. I'll be there by 12, any help would be great!

Cheers, James

Blue mist · 22-01-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

He's the man.

Agreed....

Hydrostream · 22-01-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul E

We are exempt from paying VAT here in Guernsey. However anything sold from here destined for the mainland UK and over £17 is chargeable at the other end, or VAT can be pre-paid here. Jersey has their own form of VAT called Jersey Sales Tax, but we've always been better than them

Larby one of Ben's mates offered to make me an Ali tank for my boat, I can get him to have a word if you like? Are you heading up today? I'm not too hungover so can give you a hand for a bit if you want it

Interesting! Thanks for that

Racedeck · 22-01-2011, 04:37 PM

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Ok grand, I'll have to do you a little drawing and I'll email it to you/post on here. I'll measure up while I'm up there today.

PM/email me the drawings/dimensions and I`ll get a costing for you. Worth having a few quotes.
Steve. Oval Stainless/The Tank Co.

larby · 22-01-2011, 08:02 PM

Ran out of time to get proper dimensions today, I'll draw it up on monday and post on here for anyone who could do a quote, the more the merrier!!

Cheers, James

glen76 · 23-01-2011, 05:38 AM

My scorpions got a glass tank, infact the way I understand it the bottom of the hull is the bottom of the tank...