What size and brand of fuel tank to get?

[jitterbug127]

I recently just sold both of my old mercury 3 gallon gas tanks with the intention to go plastic. I want a good quality tank I'm thinking either another 3 or a 6. I recently just got a 25 HP Johnson motor, so I'm not entirely sure how much fuel ill use. On my 6 hp and my 15 hp I'd be lucky to use 1 to 1.5 gallons on a standard fishing trip. I am not opposed to bringing a second tank when the day calls for it. I just wanted some other guys opinions.

16x54 jon boat, 25 hp 2 stroke outboard, I fish a stretch of river and normally go out for 2-3 hours and mostly troll.

 

[cyclops222]

Can tell you about a red plastic 14 gallon tank only in the sun 6 months each of 2 years. The top exposed corners CRACKED open. From a leading brand. Fortunately I have 5....Red Metal 6 gallon gas tanks in perfect condition from the 2003 ? years.
I will use 2 as a main tank and 1 as the reserve spare with a 28 hp. The red plastics are garbage. I only use NON Egas at a marine terminal. All the metal tanks have no rust at all.
I mostly troll all day. Every nice day May to October. I get about 2 weeks on the 12 gallons & about 1/2 of the 6 gallon reserve tank. All the big hard plastic covers are needing new gaskets. Fair enough.

 

[rxl650]

My examples are 14.5' side console boats, dual batteries, 2 anchors, 3 gallon tanks. About 400lbs dry. Adding 350lbs for myself and gear. dual batteries, 2 anchors, fuel.
30hp 2 stroke running 6-7 miles wot, trolling 2-3 hours then return 6-7. Two trips comfortably.
Same setup with 25 four stroke, 3 trips.
I have 5 gallon tanks if I'm venturing out further. Never need the extra fuel, but it makes me feel better not watching the guage.
I have Scepter plastic tanks, no issues. My oldest plastic 3gal is about 15 years old. Still use it. Never exposed to the sun.

 

[jitterbug127]

Can tell you about a red plastic 14 gallon tank only in the sun 6 months each of 2 years. The top exposed corners CRACKED open. From a leading brand. Fortunately I have 5....Red Metal 6 gallon gas tanks in perfect condition from the 2003 ? years.
I will use 2 as a main tank and 1 as the reserve spare with a 28 hp. The red plastics are garbage. I only use NON Egas at a marine terminal. All the metal tanks have no rust at all.
I mostly troll all day. Every nice day May to October. I get about 2 weeks on the 12 gallons & about 1/2 of the 6 gallon reserve tank. All the big hard plastic covers are needing new gaskets. Fair enough.

I take it you prefer metal to plastic?

 

[cyclops222]

Only those outstanding 6 gallon Non rusting gas tanks. Both Evinrude's are still Virgins. !986 and the 1999.

 

[JimS123]

My classic woodie sports a period correct 6 gal. metal tank that has been restored with all new gaskets and hoses, and is better than new.

My other outboard tanks are new plastic made by Moeller. My Boston Whaler was equipped with them from the factory.

Although I would prefer a metal tank, truthfully the new Moellers are adequate.

In your case I would prefer the 6.5 gallon model. Although a 3 gal. might be adequate, having the extra in an emergency is priceless.

 

[airshot]

Plastic tanks have better materials in recent years if you buy a good one, but stay away from cheap ones. If exposed to the sun all the time, I would go metal. If not exposed to sun like many built-in tanks, then plastic is fine.
A fuel tank in a boat, is no place to skimp on quality !!

 

[jitterbug127]

I’ve got several tanks at the house I’ve acquired in trades/motors I’ve bought. I’m not up to date on what is best one. I keep
My boat covered so sunlight isn’t a huge concern (or am I wrong on this)?

Tanks I’ve got right now
Specter 3 gallon
Moeller 3 gallon tank
Atwood 3 gallon tank
2 Johnson 6 gallon tanks.

I’ve only used the specter to this point, but I was considering buying a plastic 6 gallon tank vs bringing 2 3 gallon tanks with me.

Preference on Moeller vs Atwood vs specter vs these Johnson 6 gallon tanks? I was thinking buy a 6 gallon specter or Moeller, but I’m really not sure.

 

[JimS123]

I’ve got several tanks at the house I’ve acquired in trades/motors I’ve bought. I’m not up to date on what is best one. I keep
My boat covered so sunlight isn’t a huge concern (or am I wrong on this)?

Tanks I’ve got right now
Specter 3 gallon
Moeller 3 gallon tank
Atwood 3 gallon tank
2 Johnson 6 gallon tanks.

I’ve only used the specter to this point, but I was considering buying a plastic 6 gallon tank vs bringing 2 3 gallon tanks with me.

Preference on Moeller vs Atwood vs specter vs these Johnson 6 gallon tanks? I was thinking buy a 6 gallon specter or Moeller, but I’m really not sure.

As I said, 6 gal Moeller is the only choice. (Actually it's a 6.5 gal)

 

[jitterbug127]

As I said, 6 gal Moeller is the only choice. (Actually it's a 6.5 gal)

Sounds good. I read that but I wasn’t sure, on a 6 gallon Moeller vs a metal Johnson tank. I’ll get the Moeller

 

[Chris1956]

IMO you either need a fuel gauge to monitor the amount of fuel or 2 tanks. The advantage of two tanks, is that when one runs dry, you can switch to the other and head home. You then refill the dry tank with fresh fuel, for the next trip. Size each tank to allow a full trip or almost a full trip.

6.5 G tanks use exactly 16oz of 2 cycle oil to 6gal gasoline, to achieve a 50::1 gas oil mix. That makes it handy.

 

[Scott06]

I recently just sold both of my old mercury 3 gallon gas tanks with the intention to go plastic. I want a good quality tank I'm thinking either another 3 or a 6. I recently just got a 25 HP Johnson motor, so I'm not entirely sure how much fuel ill use. On my 6 hp and my 15 hp I'd be lucky to use 1 to 1.5 gallons on a standard fishing trip. I am not opposed to bringing a second tank when the day calls for it. I just wanted some other guys opinions.

16x54 jon boat, 25 hp 2 stroke outboard, I fish a stretch of river and normally go out for 2-3 hours and mostly troll.

6 gal is probably perfect for what you are doing. My brother has a 17 ft with 50 hp Yamaha 4 stroke and six gallons will take us 10-12 miles down lake and back fishing both sides of a fairly wide lake.

Would figure would at least double the fuel use with the step up in power

 

[JimS123]

IMO you either need a fuel gauge to monitor the amount of fuel or 2 tanks. The advantage of two tanks, is that when one runs dry, you can switch to the other and head home. You then refill the dry tank with fresh fuel, for the next trip. Size each tank to allow a full trip or almost a full trip.

6.5 G tanks use exactly 16oz of 2 cycle oil to 6gal gasoline, to achieve a 50::1 gas oil mix. That makes it handy.

Good idea, I guess.

I currently run 2 Moeller 6.5s with a 3-way switch to be able to switch without disconnecting.

We boat in the upper Niagara. Our best fishing spot is in view of the Falls mist. Running out of gas is not an option. Priming the carb and getting the motor started again while drifting into rapids is not a fun thing.

I keep an eye on the gauges and switch tanks when I'm down about 3/4. Thus, I never run a tank dry.

The 2 tanks were OEM. I have often considered replacing them with a single 12, but that's not really cost effective.

I guess it all depends on how you go boating.

 

[jitterbug127]

Sold all my other tanks today. Kept my Moeller 3 and bought this off marketplace. Thanks for all the help especially Jim