Fuel Tank Replacement

Ekea

Ekea

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for those of you that have had your fuel tank replaced by a shop, what was your cost and where did you get it done?

in my research, i keep reading that the tank should cost about $10 per gallon (so a 200 gallon tank would be $2000), and then about $3000 labor for a total of about $5k. i just called my local dealer and they said $5k for the tank and another $5k in labor which seems quite excessive.
 
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I use to figure that a decent price for potato chips was about 25 cents an ounce. So on 'sale' an 8 ounce bag was a decent purchase at 2 bucks. This week the 'sale' potato chips were $3.50 for a 7 1/2 ox bag.. That works out to almost 47 cents an ounce. The increase over the last few years in this case was a factor of 1.86. If gas tanks use the same price inflation , the $5000 job would now be $9,333:) Funny how that is.
 
as unrelated as your potato chip adjustment factor is, it seemingly is surprisingly accurate. my only challenge to that is that labor hasnt gone up that much. id still expect $125 +- an hour. which is not far off from where it was 5-10 years ago
 
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Contact Sunshine marine tanks in FL with your tank dimensions and see what they can come up with. When I replaced a fuel tank in my previous boat, they were less expensive than any local option I could find in New England, including shipping. I did the work myself, so can't help with the labor costs. I'd guess the cost is now north of 10 per gal, but no idea how much more.
 
Patriot Marine or SP Tanks both in NJ. They will give you a quote and build tanks. Not sure they will install.

Young's Fiberglass will install the tanks but I don't have a quote. Sometimes they have to do some fiberglass removal to get the hoses run or tanks out.


www.sptanks.com

Custom Aluminum Marine Fuel Tanks - SP Tanks

SP Tanks has been building custom aluminum marine fuel tanks for over 55 years. If you can draw it, we can build it. Contact us today for a quote.
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I too replaced my tank myself in my 226 Seafarer. I took the old tank to a local welding shop that does boat tanks, they made it from a heavier gauge aluminum, included premium sending unit for 960.00. I ran new fuel lines, fill hose, and did two coats of epoxy primer on the tank. The bearing points where the tank meets the hull pads had rubber originally, this is where the bad corrosion occurred. On the new tank, I installed fiberglass 1/4" pads at the bearing points ,attaching them to the tank with 5200. Between those and the hull, I used expanded PVC for some cushion. This should keep any movement and rubbing away from the tank itself and keeping the epoxy primer in place, preventing corrosion. Hopefully it will be the last tank this boat will ever need.
 
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I replaced my Fuel cells, both, with custom 3/16 aluminum. They fit perfect and you can't tell anything has happened.
We did make the run from Freeport, Texas to Grand Isle, LA. We then ran on over to a cut through the marsh to Empire, LA, on through the locks of the Mississippi and down to Ostrica. There we cut back into the marsh and ran across to Biloxi bihind the Chandeleur Islands. From there on over to the Flora Bama. 11day trip for my wife and I! Great trip and experiences on our 1998 300 Marlin.
 
Ekea said:
for those of you that have had your fuel tank replaced by a shop, what was your cost and where did you get it done?

in my research, i keep reading that the tank should cost about $10 per gallon (so a 200 gallon tank would be $2000), and then about $3000 labor for a total of about $5k. i just called my local dealer and they said $5k for the tank and another $5k in labor which seems quite excessive.
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Did the Tanks in my 228 Seafarer 2 years ago, $2700 for the two tanks, I installed them myself.. dropped the capacity by 220 L. 440L is plenty.
 
SP Tanks in Clermont, NJ 72 gallon and 134 gallon tanks $1,000 and 1,400 last Summer. Certified tank builders, epoxy painted. Self installed documented here on GG.
 
Speaking only to the labor cost. I replaced the tank in my old Grady myself on my '83. The tank was accessed through a removable panel in the cockpit deck slightly larger than the tank the tank, easy job. A few years later I was speking to another Grady owner and he was talking costs of replacing his tank. His numbers were what t I thought were high, we went down the dock and looked at his later model boat, a center console and was very surprised at the amount of things that needed to be removed to change out his tank. So depending on the model that might explain some of the labot cost. Perhaps later models are all that labor intensive now, I have no idea.
 
Ekea said:
for those of you that have had your fuel tank replaced by a shop, what was your cost and where did you get it done?

in my research, i keep reading that the tank should cost about $10 per gallon (so a 200 gallon tank would be $2000), and then about $3000 labor for a total of about $5k. i just called my local dealer and they said $5k for the tank and another $5k in labor which seems quite excessive.
Click to expand...


Curious.

Is this common.

I just re-powered my 2004 Brady White with twin Yamaha 150s

It was expensive, but at least I’m relieved it’s done, although I have a pretty hefty loan to pay off

My friend just told me or watch the next thing to go is your fuel tank

I didn’t think that was common

He said it’s very common and it’s approximately every 20 years. You have to replace it.

So it’s gonna cost about 15,000

My boats in 04 so it’s already been 21 years.

Is it something that people do preventative?

Or do you just wait till you have a problem ?
 
Sharkbait1 said:
Curious.

Is this common.

I just re-powered my 2004 Brady White with twin Yamaha 150s

It was expensive, but at least I’m relieved it’s done, although I have a pretty hefty loan to pay off

My friend just told me or watch the next thing to go is your fuel tank

I didn’t think that was common

He said it’s very common and it’s approximately every 20 years. You have to replace it.

So it’s gonna cost about 15,000

My boats in 04 so it’s already been 21 years.

Is it something that people do preventative?

Or do you just wait till you have a problem ?
Click to expand...
To a great extent, the corrosion of the tank depends on how wet or dry for that mater, the tank coffin is.
Grady recommends that the tank be rinsed periodically to remove salts but that is easy to say but can be hard to do. In many cases the corrosion is worse on the underside of the tank which you can't easily see nor easily rinse.
As to proactive care, you best friend may be your nose. Pull the inspection plates and smell. Do that before fueling up as well as after fueling. Note if there is a gas smell and if it is only present after a gas up. It is common for the fill and vent hoses to become somewhat permeable over time. In that case the odor will be strongest after fueling.
Also keep an eye out for gasoline evidence in the bilge. If present, repairs are critical.
For a complete inspection, the tank has to be removed and after all that effort it makes sense to replace an older tank.
Note that some Grady model have plastic tanks ( not fiberglass). In general those tanks can last a LONG time.
 
Ekea said:
for those of you that have had your fuel tank replaced by a shop, what was your cost and where did you get it done?

in my research, i keep reading that the tank should cost about $10 per gallon (so a 200 gallon tank would be $2000), and then about $3000 labor for a total of about $5k. i just called my local dealer and they said $5k for the tank and another $5k in labor which seems quite excessive.
Click to expand...
Prices can vary significantly depending on location, shop rates, and the complexity of the installation. Your research estimate of around $5K total aligns with what many people report for a standard fuel tank replacement. However, dealerships tend to charge higher rates, so a $10K quote isn’t surprising. If you're open to alternatives, you might want to check with independent marine mechanics or boatyards that specialize in fuel system replacements. Some members have had success with custom tank fabricators, which can sometimes save costs compared to dealer pricing. Have you considered getting multiple quotes from different shops?
 
seasick said:
To a great extent, the corrosion of the tank depends on how wet or dry for that mater, the tank coffin is.
Grady recommends that the tank be rinsed periodically to remove salts but that is easy to say but can be hard to do. In many cases the corrosion is worse on the underside of the tank which you can't easily see nor easily rinse.
As to proactive care, you best friend may be your nose. Pull the inspection plates and smell. Do that before fueling up as well as after fueling. Note if there is a gas smell and if it is only present after a gas up. It is common for the fill and vent hoses to become somewhat permeable over time. In that case the odor will be strongest after fueling.
Also keep an eye out for gasoline evidence in the bilge. If present, repairs are critical.
For a complete inspection, the tank has to be removed and after all that effort it makes sense to replace an older tank.
Note that some Grady model have plastic tanks ( not fiberglass). In general those tanks can last a LONG time.
Click to expand...
Thanks.

That how my friend detected his issue.
The Bilge pump was pumping out fuel.

Hoping I have a plastic tank I guess.
Not sure. 2004 Grady White Advance.

Anyway.
I'll just hope I do not run into an issue. At least an issue anytime soon
 
Sharkbait1 said:
Thanks.

That how my friend detected his issue.
The Bilge pump was pumping out fuel.

Hoping I have a plastic tank I guess.
Not sure. 2004 Grady White Advance.

Anyway.
I'll just hope I do not run into an issue. At least an issue anytime soon
Click to expand...
Hoping is not an action plan;)
There is a 6" piehole over each end of the tank. Look at it.

I think you should remove whatever deck piece is covering the tank and inspect.
Its just screws and silicone. Not rocket science.
 
Sharkbait1 said:
Thanks.

That how my friend detected his issue.
The Bilge pump was pumping out fuel.

Hoping I have a plastic tank I guess.
Not sure. 2004 Grady White Advance.

Anyway.
I'll just hope I do not run into an issue. At least an issue anytime soon
Click to expand...
as said, the aluminum tanks seem to have a 20-25 year life expectancy. i ended up buying a tank and doing the work myself
 
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