Plastic vs aluminum boat fuel tank

Dear Fellow Tacoma Junkies and Hard Core Addicts,

How is everybody doing on this Sunday? Sorry for this request not being first generation Tacoma related. It is just that this site is much more helpful than the Boston Whaler sites.

My family and I are trying to design a fuel tank for little 1984 Boston Whaler Classic Sport 15. We would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of both plastic and aluminum.

Thank you in advance for all of your replies.

Take care,
Paul

 

im not quite sure if this is applicable to a Toyota truck site

 

You might ask your question here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/boating-fishing.76/

To be honest, you’d likely do better asking it on a dedicated boating forum.
But, maybe someone here knows a thing or 2 on the subject.

 

The only thing you'll have to worry about with an aluminum tank is metal galling from dissimilar metal contact. If you go plastic, you could design it so all the fasteners are 316 stainless steel. That would take care of any rust issues you might have.

 

Stainless steel all the way. My 1977 Bayliner had the steel tank replaced with a stainless one in the 90’s and it’s still holding up.

 

For what it's worth- I have two 15 gallon aluminum tanks on my boat. Zero issues, just keep an eye on your fasteners(sending unit bolts, etc). Plastic tanks seem to have a short lifespan, from what I've seen.

 

Check Defender for many inexpensive plastic tank sizes. Will it be in/underneath a fiberglass covering or cubby? If not then go steel.

As someone that had aluminum tanks deteriorate and shait 30 gallons of blackwater into the bilge I'd say go plastic. Dry heaving while shop vacuuming poop juice is not a good time.

 

Oooooooooof.....

 

If it sits on the the deck, the red poly portable tanks are hard to beat. If it’s under the dec there are a lot of things to consider. post some pics