welding a fuel tank into a seat space?

T

Thudpucker

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I want to have a Welded Aluminum fuel tank created inside the Seat.
Does anybody know of a Jon boat with an integrated Fuel tank?

I have a 15' Al Weld (Bryant AR) Jon boat. It's a good boat.
I have a question on the Fuel tank.
The Foam floatation is in the seats. It should float, gunnels up, fully loaded, because of this foam.
AlWeld.jpg


So the question is:
Would a Gas tank float as much as the same volumn of Foam?
Is there any law against me doing such a thing?
Have any of you had experiece with an idea like this?
 
Thud- I think you will be seriously compromising the "level-floation" of your boat by replacing foam with fuel. Whereas the gas should be slightly lighter than water, At almost 6 lbs/gallon it is waaaaay heavier than expanded foam it would replace, so it's minimal buoyancy would not overcome the weight of the swamped boat and motor and heavy-thinking operator. How about vented fuel-pod pontoons that(optimistically) draw down simultaneously :D Saddle tanks?
 
Lots of problems on this one Thuddie.
1. The foam will be more buoyant than a fuel tank.
2. The tank would need a vent. Not so sure I would want to be sitting on that time bomb.
3. The ability to swivel the seat would be reduced due to fuel lines.
4. The tank would not be Coast Guard approved.
5. Securing the mounting hardware without creating fuel leak issues would be a challenge.
6. Depending on how much you weigh, tank could collapse, or be compressed, thus forcing fuel either into the carb, or out the vent.
7. I can think up some more issues if you like.

Ken
 
Thud,

If you are making a "custom" fuel tank.. that is, welding this yourself, don't forget to weld in some baffles to cut down on cavitation inside the tank/tanks.....A few what about's to look at for this project above and good luck, this one's tricky..
 
"..heavy thinking operator..." HEY! "...tank might collapse..." HEY some more!

I think you guys talked me out of it. I just had the idea because the seat is so wide.
The photo dont make it clear, but during the day I can lay down in the bottom and take a nap. I do that almost every time I go out.
I was hoping to give myself some more room for snoozing. Not today I guess!
Thanks
 
Thuddie, you are one lucky guy......."WE" are the warning sticker that the government mandates on products. [:-bonc01]
I can just see it now, all 4 x 8 sheets of aluminum would come with a warning label.... CAUTION: Using this product to fabricate combination fuel tank/seats may result in Fire, Explosion, Contamination of Fresh Water Lakes and Streams. DO NOT REMOVE LABEL UNDER PENALTY OF LAW!

Ken
 
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