Gas Tanks

[Crestliner]

When I bought my new rig this year, it came with a plastic tank which I have stored by one of my mid-seats (14' Crestliner Sportsman). The problem I have is expansion/contraction. If I keep the vent closed, she will swell up like a balloon during the day and almost collapse over night. I've been leaving the vent open to prevent this, but not sure this is such a good practice, given the vulnerability of the lousy gas we have to use these days. I'm considering going to a steel tank next season, but they cost almost $100. these days. Any opinions on whether or not I should switch? Also, do any of you put dry gas in your tanks?

[knotreelly]

i vent on the water on hot days and when in the garage, no odor and in a safe area right at my entrance door so i would smell it upon entering. i refill the metal with the plastic if i only use one tank any given day and then refill the plastic, the night before i go out, don't like playing with gas the day i fish, so i do not use dry gas.

[Sledneck]

When I bought my new rig this year, it came with a plastic tank which I have stored by one of my mid-seats (14' Crestliner Sportsman). The problem I have is expansion/contraction. If I keep the vent closed, she will swell up like a balloon during the day and almost collapse over night. I've been leaving the vent open to prevent this, but not sure this is such a good practice, given the vulnerability of the lousy gas we have to use these days. I'm considering going to a steel tank next season, but they cost almost $100. these days. Any opinions on whether or not I should switch? Also, do any of you put dry gas in your tanks?

First thing to realize is that steel or plastic...a sealed fuel compartment will generate high pressures in heat and a vacuum in the cold. You should keep the vent open to prevent accidents from happening. Don't bother switching. Why is it that you want to add dry gas? Dry gas assists in ridding your fuel system of unwanted moisture, but I am unsure as to why you would need it?

If you are talking storage, you should try to use the gas elsewhere and empty the tank, no bother keeping that gas over the winter if it is in a removable tank. If you are still running the engine and have moisture in the fuel, the dry gas will help, but it isn't the best thing for 2 stroke engines, in theory it decreases the ability of the oil in the fuel to affectively lubricate the cylinders, but I have used it without repercussions.

[Crestliner]

Here's what's going through my mind: Plastic - by it's very nature, expands and contracts freely. But this stressful movement should eventually wear out a seam or supply inset. I would think this would be inevitable? And keeping the vent open all the time would certainly expediate the deterioration or viablility of the gas inside? Especially with the crap they're selling us these days. So, I just thought that by going to steel, the problem would be eliminated. Use to use steels tanks in my old rig and never had a problem with keeping the vents closed when not in use. As far as the dry gas goes, my thought was that letting the gas vent open all the time in the plastic tank would certainly invite moisture in, unless you keep the tank filled all the time. So I thought maybe the dry gas would help with this? Since my rig is brand new (4 cycle Yama), I just want to do the very best to prevent problems. Appreciate your input.

[noresman]

I agree with sled. If the tank is removable take it out and drain it for the winter. If you're going to leave the gas for the winter put stabilizer in it, this also has a water elimination component to it.

[Toad]

I bought 2 6 gallon plastic containers for gas 20 years ago...these were used to fill the tank on a lake docked stingray and other boats. Now I use them for the lawn mowers and snow blowers. Yes they do expand and contract with changes in temp but neither one of them leak.

Best thing to do with winterizing boat tanks is to empty them. This prevents any deterioration of the gas that might occur and leat to poor performance in the spring. If if the gas has two stroke oil you can just add a couple of gallons at a time to your vechicle fuel tank. The mixture gets so diluted it's not a problem and your not throwing money away.

[Crestliner]

One final caveat that I didn't express right off: First off, I am not concerned with winter storage. I agree totally with you guys and will remove the tank and gas. My main concern is during the actual fishing season itself. I do not have my boat garaged at this time. Only a canvas cover. So it gets pretty warm under the canvas there during the day. I do leave my plug out, so leaving the tank vent open shouldn't cause a fire hazard, but I'm affraid I'm compromising the viability of the gas itself by doing this. Especially if I don't use the rig for a couple of weeks? This is why I was considering the steel tank, so I could keep the vent closed. One time when it was real hot out and my tank vent was closed; I lifted the canvas and the tank looked like a balloon! Scared the hell out of me. I opened the vent and it hissed for 1/2 hour as the tank returned to normal size. That cannot be good!

[Crazy Joe]

I have plastic tanks for all my boats.I have never had a problem with them.I don't ever close the vents when they are outside.But,I take them out and put them in my cellar ,which is cool all year round. Just my 2 cents. Thumbsup

[Crestliner]

Thanks for the input Crazy Joe and all you other folks! I still think I'll switch to metal next season and keep the vent closed when not in use, like I did in my old rig. I just don't trust the gas they're selling us these days. Talked to a couple of service station people I know; their opinion is that if you leave a can of gas open for 2 or 3 weeks, it will become a "different" gas than what you put in originally! I tend to agree. What that means internally to our new 4-stroke engines is yet to be determined? Would you leave the gas cap off in your car for a few weeks? Maybe that's not an accurate metaphore, but I'm not of a mind to take that chance with my new engine. I can't afford the potential risk. "An ounce of prevention...." kind of thing, if you know what I mean. Again....Thank you ALL very much!