HOLE in Gas Tank

Birdman328 · Sep 1, 2015

Hi Gents,

love coming here because I know I'll always get good thorough opinions.

Anyway, I have a 21 Parker walkaround with a 150 Yammy. Well, filled tank up the other day. On way home, smelled fumes. Popped open small hatch towards stern and saw a small hole and gas leaking out. It's on the top of the tank, about the size of the bottom of a golf tee (which I temporarily plugged it with.), so the hole is accessible.

So....questions are...

1) can I use Marine Tech Epoxy or a West Systems Epoxy after I sandpaper and acetone hole, just to get me through the season? (I have roughly til December to fish up here in NY)

2) I'm concerned this will be a pricey fix. They'll have to cut the fiberglass up to rip the tank out and replace. Any other options?

3) If I do replace tank, what are the pros and cons these days of going with aluminum tank vs. a plastic tank?

Any feedback appreciated, gents.

1801Steve · Sep 2, 2015

Birdman328":1837sj42 said:
Hi Gents,

love coming here because I know I'll always get good thorough opinions.

Anyway, I have a 21 Parker walkaround with a 150 Yammy. Well, filled tank up the other day. On way home, smelled fumes. Popped open small hatch towards stern and saw a small hole and gas leaking out. It's on the top of the tank, about the size of the bottom of a golf tee (which I temporarily plugged it with.), so the hole is accessible.

So....questions are...

1) can I use Marine Tech Epoxy or a West Systems Epoxy after I sandpaper and acetone hole, just to get me through the season? (I have roughly til December to fish up here in NY)

2) I'm concerned this will be a pricey fix. They'll have to cut the fiberglass up to rip the tank out and replace. Any other options?

3) If I do replace tank, what are the pros and cons these days of going with aluminum tank vs. a plastic tank?

Any feedback appreciated, gents.

1) NO NO NO NO. Gas is explosive. You are taking a big risk if you operate the boat with a known gas leak. And a halfa** repair probably won't work. Besides, if that spot is leaking there are probably other spots that are close to leaking. You didn't say how old the boat is but aluminum fuel tanks don't last forever. I've seen them fail in as little as five years. A saltwater boat with a fifteen year old tank is on borrowed time.

2) You're exactly right. No other options.

3) Don't know whether you can find a plastic tank that big or not.

TWOBOATER · Sep 2, 2015

You might be able to find a tap that will work with the size hole you have and put a machine screw with a rubber washer in, just to finish the season. DON'T GO NEAR IT WITH AN ELECTRIC DRILL! use the existing hole as is. This is no different than the screw holes that hold the sending unit in. Then replace the tank this winter.

Birdman328 · Sep 2, 2015

The boat is a 1995 so the tank is 20 years old (borrowed time as you say). The hole is a tiny hole but you are right, there may be more on the way or more already somewhere. It's a 90 gallon tank....how big can you go with a plastic tank these days?

And I guess every 15-20 years the tank needs to be replaced? I wish they would've taken that into consideration and built a hatch to reach the tank, rather than having to cut the fiberglass out to get to the tank. Very frustrating.

TWOBOATER · Sep 2, 2015

Agreed. A well-sealed removable deck hatch would be nice, but I think their rationale is that the hatch would end up leaking and the tanks would fail sooner. I for one, would like a removable floor panel so I can access the tank and keep it clean and ventilated. Secure the tank mechanically, don't foam them in. Foam holds moisture against the tank = corrosion= leaks=big $ to remove and replace the tank and deck.

Birdman328 · Sep 2, 2015

Very good point about the foam. I've heard of people actually covering the entire new aluminum tank in epoxy to keep the corrosion to a minimum. Seems like an expensive thing to do and very labor intensive. I'd still just take a hatch anyday of the week! Come on Parker!

windknotnc · Sep 2, 2015

Short term use some JB Weld on the hole. Use some 80 grit sandpaper to rough up around the hole and allow the JB weld to go in the hole a little. It will set up even with gas and probably get you through a while. I think I would not fill up the tank all the way to ensure you don't find any other small holes.