Will this fit?
- 111 gallon fuel Tank
- 75.00"L x 24.00"W x 16.00"H x 18.50" total height 61 lb
- Tank Comes complete with sending unit
See tank:
https://amzn.to/2P9hjjh
I looked at poly tanks for my 226 and couldn't find anything that would fit without modifications. The fill location and sizes were just off enough to create issues I didn't want to deal with. The last thing anyone wants is a fill line that makes it hard to put gas in fairly quickly or makes the fill nozzle pop off and spray gas everywhere. My year actually has wood braces going across the top that also help support the floor panel, not sure a poly tank should mount the same way. I found a local tank fabrication company that made a heavy gauge (3/16") aluminum tank with premium sending unit for just under a grand. No mods needed and by applying two coats of epoxy primer, non rubber fiberglass bearing pads, and new fuel fill, vent, and supply lines, it should outlast the boat. Most aluminum tanks get pitted holes anywhere soft bearing pads make contact with the tank. Moisture and corrosive properties get trapped in between these areas that eventually will eat holes through the aluminum within 10 to 15 years. I decided I would attach 3/16" thick fiberglass pads at each bearing point to the bottom of the tank with 5200, thus eliminating the movement and wear point from the tank to the fiberglass pad. I placed expanded PVC between the pad and the bearing points in the bilge for slight cushioning. All contact points on the sides and top have expanded PVC attached with 5200 as cushioning material, so any movement should be limited to between the braces and expanded PVC, not the aluminum tank. I felt just applying epoxy primer was going to be useless if it would just get worn away over time at the bearing contact points.
The later models changed to a smooth bilge bottom with V strips of a rubber like product that acts as a cushion along the bottom of the tank. I believe this strip creates wear on the surface (wears away coating) when going through rough waters and traps moisture against the tank. My bilge (1987 style) actually has raised support pads built into the bottom which also allows more space for water to pass through underneath without contacting the bearing points or the tank. I believe changing the wear points so there is no rubbing against the aluminum, and no cushioning material that holds moisture directly touching the tank should really be beneficial. I'm counting on the epoxy and 5200 holding the attached fiberglass pads to the tank to keep out any moisture from getting trapped against the aluminum. Time will tell if it is successful.
