Metal vs. Plastic Gas Tank

[zelek]

My Alumacraft Lunker needs a new tank this spring. My old plastic one broke out around the gauge.

I was looking at the six gal metal Tempo tanks but am not sure if they're really that much better than the plastic ones. I see they're made out of galvanized steel so they shouldn't rust.

Anyone have any strong opinions one way or the other???

[Knotwood]

I scout the rummage sales for older metal tanks... I tried the plastic ones, found the flex from expansion causes threads to leak. Not familiar with the Tempo brand tho-

[PierBridge]

I prefer metal gas tanks for safety reasons.

[zelek]

The mechanic that works on my outboard said he once seen a plastic tank expand so much it would hold 7 or 8 gallons of fuel. I didn't want that to happen with mine last summer, so I just unscrewed the lid a bit so it could vent. Of course then the garage smelled like gas so bad that I quit doing that in a hurry.

[Phred52]

Zelek, Are you refering to a portable tank or an underfloor tank? Personally, for a portable tank, I'd go with the steel. For the underfloor, I believe you're pretty much limited to what the manufactures have to offer.IMHO Phred52

[zelek]

I'm referring to a portable tank. I have the tank situated up toward the front of the boat at the end of the storage compartment on one side.

I'm kind of leaning toward trying the steel tank. I'm not sure why, but it seems the plastic ones are more popular from what I've seen though.

[Gus]

I have 1 plastic and 1 metal tank on my boat. I think I prefer the metal tank. The plastic ones expand, leak more, and just don't seem to produce constant good usage results like my metal tank does. Sometimes when I start to get low on fuel the motor starts to run poorly on the plastic tank but never on the metal one. It could just be a bad part of the plastic tank though. On top of that, I accidently broke the gauge on the plastic one. Yup, It's plastic. The metal tank has a glass guage. Once a metal tanks starts to rust you can run into all kinds of problems. But this metal tank I have is at least 15 years old and still works great.

[Mike89]

Both are good, but I prefer the plastic. Because they do not sweat and thusly no added moisture in the gas. Which also means no rust inside the plastic ones either. Just my thoughts.

[Gadgetman]

I use a plastic takn and leave the breather vent open a little bit even whe not in use, that eliminates sweliing of the tank from heat. If you are leaving it in an enclosed area that may not be so goo. Mine is in a boat that is docked all summer long so fumes are no problem