Have a 1975 Wriedt Maverick that has been in the family since day 1.  The fiberglass tank in the bow of my boat is slowly giving up the ghost, even though it hasn't started to leak...yet.  I think the fiberglass resin is being eaten away inside the tank and making it's way thru the engine, gumming everything up.  Carb accel pump being the worst to keep clear.  I'd like to keep this boat on the water for another 30 years, but the I believe our running problems are being caused by the original fiberglass bow tank. 

 Anyone have an aluminum, plastic or ss tank that is a copy of the fiberglass bow tank and looking to sell it? I know I can have one made by Imco, but figured I'd put the word out beforehand in case one is available. Who else besides Imco makes tanks? Lightning is no longer making tanks, already checked.

I prefer a copy of the Wriedt bow tank so I don't have to re-plumb the whole boat, add new fillers for gunnel tanks, reconfigure sending units, etc.

I had mine made to specs for $300. Its roughly 30g. I used 1/2 marine foam between tank/diamond to cushion crawling onto it. If you plan on keeping the boat then have it made.

I have the same boat but a 76 and mine also has been in the family since day one. Mine has the saddle tanks I love em two 15 gal aluminum

I have to ask why you want 100 plus pounds of gas sloshing around in the front of your boat? Empty or full that's like having a big fat drunk buddy rolling around in the bow.
Get some saddle tanks. You won't have to replumb your whole boat, the fills are a piece of cake , as are the sending units. Just my nuisance,er....2 cents

I'd prefer to keep the tank where it was built.  I understand the downfalls of bow tank vs. saddle tanks.  With saddle tanks, I have to drill 2 holes in the gunnels for fillers.  Also have to plumb a tank equalizer setup so it pulls from both tanks equally.  Possibly second sending unit.   Then what do I do with the filler that is in the center of the bow.  I thought about it, but keeping it where it was is easier and the least disturbing to the old brown beaver.


I know this is a wanted ad, but to those of you that have converted already......is the tank a separate piece that is glassed in place under the bow?  Can I cut the tank loose from the hull bottom/stringers or is it an integral part of the hull and under bow?  I haven't even got under there yet.

Does today's fuel eat at the resin?  I ask because the fuel that is going to the carb pretty much always looks like iced tea and there is shiny, hard residue in the intake manifold under the carb.  I suspect it's the resin used in the tank?

I'd prefer to keep the tank where it was built.  I understand the downfalls of bow tank vs. saddle tanks.  With saddle tanks, I have to drill 2 holes in the gunnels for fillers.  Also have to plumb a tank equalizer setup so it pulls from both tanks equally.  Possibly second sending unit.   Then what do I do with the filler that is in the center of the bow.  I thought about it, but keeping it where it was is easier and the least disturbing to the old brown beaver.


I know this is a wanted ad, but to those of you that have converted already......is the tank a separate piece that is glassed in place under the bow?  Can I cut the tank loose from the hull bottom/stringers or is it an integral part of the hull and under bow?  I haven't even got under there yet.

Does today's fuel eat at the resin?  I ask because the fuel that is going to the carb pretty much always looks like iced tea and there is shiny, hard residue in the intake manifold under the carb.  I suspect it's the resin used in the tank?

Mine was lightly glassed on sides an bottom. I had to grind off some of the glassed on part at the bottom. Used a die grinder to cut the tank out.

Here's the Brown Beaver, 1975 original.  Yes that is brown metal flake.   

I will get some pics tomorrow when I get back to my shop. If memory serves me well, the tank I have is from the identical boat, a wreidt Maverick.

Someone changed it to this aluminum tank shortly before imparted out the boat.


Sent from my iPhone using SoCal Jet Boats

Ok, that sounds good.  Here is a pic of the top/back of the tank that I got when I was crammed under the dash.  Not the best pic, but it kinda shows what's up down there.  There is another piece of plywood that appears to be glass'd in behind the tank that the bulkhead was up against.  That will have to come out too to get the tank out of the bow.  I can see where it's glassed to the hull bottom at the back of the tank.  What I can't see is if the tank is glass'd in at the front of the tank.

Have you checked out Moeller?

Been using them for years,  cheap, ready made,  covered by NMMA, USCG and UL.

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/moeller-19-gallon-bow-fuel-tank.html?gclid=CPSf1KKT8swCFZFcfgodBfkPYQ

I've seen it online but not in person.  How do you secure it to the hull bottom?  Existing tank is glassed in place.

They have mount kits for like $25. Basically aluminium clamps that get screwed to the deck.

GT

The tank in my 1975 Wriedt Maverick also started coming apart from the inside. Then the next thing I know it started leaking inside the boat. Just letting you know that's  probably  next. I ended up going with saddle tanks.

Can I ask where the saddle tanks were from and what they run you?

I picked up a pair of saddle tanks, but they're too wide to fit between the inside of the hull and the seats/interior.

I used this to get within 1/2gal of my custom multi shaped belly.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/waterops/redesign/calculators/volcalchtm.htm

Thanks for the calculator and formula for converting.  It looks like the formula is divide by 231, not multiply.  The saddle tank I have is 3066 cubic inches, 73" x 6" x 7", and around 13 gallons makes sense.