Fuel Bladder delema

[sunfishin]

Has anyone got experience with fuel bladders. I want to put a tank in the keel area of my 35' sailboat, where the original tank came out of.

I don't find alot of size choices out there.
Is there any bad characteristics to watch out for.

[AjariBonten]

No direct experience; but I have a natural mistrust of a big bag of fuel........

[sailingdog]

IMHO, you'd be better off with a fiberglass, plastic or metal tank. How much fuel are we talking about... anything more than 20 gallons, and you'll probably be much happier with a solid tank. Also, diesel tanks require a return line, which can be a problem on a flexible tank.

[Rockter]

Beware chafe, and sharp edges.

[AjariBonten]

Originally Posted by Rockter

Beware chafe, and sharp edges.

And Cats! LOL

[HoffaLives]

It could double as a waterbed...

[sailingdog]

Of course, if you did this, a good night's sleep would require not motoring... as that would make the bed less comfortable.

Originally Posted by HoffaLives

It could double as a waterbed...

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by sunfishin

Has anyone got experience with fuel bladders. I want to put a tank in the keel area of my 35' sailboat, where the original tank came out of.

If a fuel tank in the bilge is really what you want, why don't you build one? It isn't too difficult to lay up fibreglass on plywood forms and either build it in situ, or make a plwood mold an do it on-shore - just make sure you use at least 2 layers of mat (preferably 3 or 4) and build in the fittings you need.

You'll find a solid tank much less hassle in service than a flexible one.

[sailingdog]

I wouldn't use mat, but roving instead, since it is much stronger than mat. Also, if you use epoxy, the mat won't work, since the binders in most fiberglass mat are designed for polyester resins.

[sunfishin]

Ya'lls answers make sence. Never thought about fiberglass, but not a bad thought.
Now, the mattress/fuel tank combo idea has real promise, real good in the wintertime.

Thanks