Need aluminum gas tank fitting recommendations

chrisgt

Seaman
Joined
Sep 23, 2024
Messages
57
I'm build an 18.5ft aluminum fishing boat from scratch and I'm looking for recommendations on a good supplier and breakdown of what i need for fittings in the gas tank.
Things I need:
- Fuel fill inlet
- Fuel vent
- level sender
- pickup tube
- maybe other things??

The tank itself is designed to USCG regulations by the designer, but it did not come with any recommendations for how to finish it with all the proper fittings and vents. I have read through the USCG regulations and they are a little bit vague on exactly HOW it should be done. Regardless, I'm looking for a good supply of such parts for when I build my tank.

Since I can't say I'm building a boat without some pictures, this is the boat.
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Jeff J

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
479
I would recommend a direct fill tank over a remote fill if it is feasible. Fewer parts make it more economical and easier to maintain. Probably not feasible because it becomes easy to trap fumes in the bottom of the boat even though boats with portable tanks don’t seem to have problems.

I don’t know what drives the need for the hose up to the fill neck other than the EPA’s persistent mission to make life difficult. I have been told if I disconnect and properly cap that hose I would be able to fill my boat without having to trickle fuel into it. Angling the nozzle different directions doesn’t help (I have owned the boat 13 years and have had time to experiment).

It took me an hour to fill one of the Sea Rays at work because the pumps at the dock can’t be trickled. The dock hands frequently let that boat run out of gas on the lake because they think it’s full when it overflows. They don’t verify with the gauge and renters don’t look at the gauge before they depart.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,826
Agree cool project

You mentioned reading through the requirements, maybe this one with pics can help
USCG requirements pdf Doc

The tank itself is designed to USCG regulations by the designer, but it did not come with any recommendations for how to finish it with all the proper fittings and vents
Not fully understanding your comment
If it was designed to meet Regs than it should be easy enough to determine how to connect
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
52,204
cool project

the link in post #4 has what you need. remember the P loop on the vent
 

chrisgt

Seaman
Joined
Sep 23, 2024
Messages
57
Agree cool project

You mentioned reading through the requirements, maybe this one with pics can help
USCG requirements pdf Doc


Not fully understanding your comment
If it was designed to meet Regs than it should be easy enough to determine how to connect
Thanks, not sure i'd seen that document, or if I did, I'm not good at reading.

Choosing what fittings I want for the fuel fill, pickup tube, etc. is up to the builder; thus my query on the regulations (thank you) and a good source for all these components.
I need to source the fuel fill, the level sensor, etc. I was hoping someone would have experience with tank who would know what worked well and a company they use.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
43,826
Need the depth of the tank where the float is mounted and where the pickup tube will be. Want a float that is about one inch shorter than depth of tank. Pickup tube about a 1/2 inch shorter
 
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