Gas Tank

rasbury

I have not considered or looked for a ground- where typically are they located?

Handymans342

I have seen ground wires hooked up the the screws that hold down the sending unit

MarkB

Yes, should be a green wire next to the sending unit. You also want that ground to eliminate any static charge which could be a hazard.

rasbury

10-4

rinkerfueltanksucks1

The name is about taking the gas tank out of my rinker sucks, I should not have to explain myself. That's what the problem is with my boat and society.

rinkerfueltanksucks1

I just posted a problem and answers not about my username.

rinkerfueltanksucks1

Thank you all that did give me answers and advice to my problem, and not question my username. As too so many issues people jump to conclusions that they don't even know about.

rinkerfueltanksucks1

I am not blaming nobody weather rinker or Oem it is a poor design and sucks to have to do the job. The owner had lost his wife and didn't run the boat for a few years and the marina where it was stored that we bought it from changed all the filters including fuel filter , which we thought was the fuel filter, but found out when our day old boat needed towed from a bad location that we broke down in the cruise ship channel under no power dead in the water not a pleasant place to be for 45 minutes, so yes it sucks. Thank you for your input. We left a boat that we owned for 13 years with no major issues to this...we love our Rinker just not the issue at hand so no blame to Rinker or whoever if be Oem people have issues with oemfueltanksucks. Sorry just not a good situation right now.

Stodge said:

I think blaming Rinker for the gas tank having an issue would be like blaming them for a bad motor.  Seems to me the problem is with the company who made the gas tank.  I had a 97 FV 280 with a pair of aluminum tanks that laid on the bottom of the bilge and they were rock solid.  

If the leak is as bad as you say I'd think the seller knew about.  And the surveyor should have found it.  There is a slim, unlikely chance the tank failed after you transported it.  Think something loose in the bilge.

Hope you are able to get the problem resolved.

Handymans342

Hang on there. We have all had our share of problems. You are not the only cry baby  LOL

MarkB

I can tell you Rinker isn't the only boat that has needed a tank replacement. And getting tanks out of other boats is also a nightmare, if not even worse. Try for instance some of the offshore boats where you need to remove the entire deck to get the fuel tank out.

[Deleted User]

+1 on MarkB's comment. 

LaRea

I hope you get the advice you need on replacing your tank.  But let's be clear:  your problems were caused by your own poor judgment, not by a Rinker design problem.

You bought a distressed 13-year-old saltwater boat with a known history of chronic neglect by the previous owner.  But did you hire a professional surveyor to do a pre-purchase inspection?  No, you didn't, even though you are an experienced boater who should know better.  So you paid full price for a boat with a pre-existing problem that would have been found by a competent surveyor.  Now you're bitter about it, but whose fault is it?  Yours.

Next, you took an unfamiliar boat with unknown reliability out into a busy shipping channel, where it broke down and stranded you in a dangerous situation.  Now you're even more bitter, but whose fault is it?  Yours.  

So don't roll in here trying to blame Rinker for your problems.  Rinkers have an outstanding track record of reliability and value.  You signed up with a jackwagon screen name, and you immediately started shouting about how Rinker has a "big issue" with "poor design of fuel tanks" as if Rinker caused your woes.  Get off your high horse and take responsibility for your own mistakes.  

Now, back to your question.  Can anybody comment on the wisdom of building a homemade gas tank rather than buying a new one? 

[Deleted User]

Personally, even if I was an experienced metal worker and welder, I would go to a specialist fuel tank builder. Heck, we're talking maybe a few hundred bucks difference for a key safety component on your boat. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish is my advice of the day.

Andy

JC290

I'm with Andy let some body else be liable for any damages/ injuries that occur (hope it doesn't) if the tank was to leak or some other god forsaken thing it could possibly cost a lot more. just my 2 cents 

Handymans342

Yes, tanks take special baffles and stuff to work properly. 

Black_Diamond

The fuel tank is just a purchased item by Rinker, like most any boat manufacturer.  Bad ground as noted, poor maintenance by the original owner(s), water in the fuel, hardware in contact as noted, etc.  A lot of places to put blame, but not a Rinker problem.

I'm not sure about making your own, the issue being certified for marine use.  if you ever had an issue the insurance company would play that card in an instant.

Handymans342

B_D, havent heard of too many 342 tank issues?

rasbury

I'm with Black on this one....have a explosion because of putting a tank together wrong and hurting the family or just as bad, someone else's and getting sued.....

rinkerfueltanksucks1

 Thank you for all the comments and suggestions, but the original question asked was where to buy a new one, my husband is just gonna fabricate one, he builds nuclear reactors and steam dryers for them, so yes he knows how to fabricate one that it won't kill us or anyone else., He just works a lot of hours and not having time to build one wanted to know if anyone knew where to buy one and then we were gonna have someone install for us. Thank again

Black_Diamond

No 342 tank issues that I have heard of. 

I do not doubt his welding/fabrication abilities at all. The issue is being USCG approved and meet/exceed NMMA standards. 

Get the dimensions or call Rinker for the tank OEM / model. There are plenty of places to get a correct tank even custom that meet all requirements. 

http://custommarinefueltanks.com

[Deleted User]

If I needed a nuclear reactor I'd call your husband. If I needed a fuel tank...probably not, no offense.

Andy

Black_Diamond

Just a reminder to the OP, this board and everyone here is here to help. We've all had issues, no different than any boat owner. You can get a ton of great advise from everyone on here if you keep the bashing off the table. 

Handymans342

That include the bashing of the Diesel boats too B_D???

Black_Diamond

lol. I think the diesel thing has just turned into some good natured humor bantered about. 

This thread is more a rant than looking for help. Just my .02

rasbury

well, have left my comments to my own but I do understand the frustration of buying a new boat and finding lot's of problems....I kind of did the same but so far, nothing I could not handle. If I had had the fuel tank issues, I can't imagine where I would be right now so I was able to let this new member vent, a lot, without calling him out. It is a concern, however, that someone else than is new or someone even just doing something on google would come across this thread and come away with the opinion that there is issues with Rinker boats. I am pretty sure I got my best bang for my buck with a Rinker built vessel. Anyway, hopefully this boat will get straight- maybe even a new 'screen name" would help these folks work themselves into this forum as a more productive contributing member, if they so desire. That's a nickles worth from me....and diesels in boats is just a fad.... 

Dream_Inn

RFTS1, I hope you get things resolved and please keep us updated on your results.  I'm sure others can learn from what you are going thru and hopefully when all is done you can enjoy your Rinker.  I can say I've owned two Rinkers and one SeaRay.  I had more issues with that SR than I'd wish upon anyone.  Yet, I know it wasn't because of the brand, it really had to do with the Merc engine and outdrive.

MarkB

Handymans342 said:

That include the bashing of the Diesel boats too B_D???

Oh, that's just fun. It's like watching a soap opera. LOL.

raybo3

Handy I hope you certainly know that is all just tongue and cheek comedy stuff.....

Handymans342

Yes, Mark B must be your brother

MarkB

... from another mother.