bertram31.com

Richard Kidd's B-31 fiberglass tank or Aluminum from a reputable source?
Kidd says his newly minted FB tanks are impervious to ethanol. It's about $4,500.
A quality aluminum tank of roughly the same capacity is quoted at $1,800. Seems in line with others mentioned on this site.
Please share your thoughts and/or experiences. Anyone out there gone with Kidd's product? Any issues with his FB I might not be aware of?
I'm on the fence.
Thanks for your feedback.

p.s. Old tank lifted right out of a 71, no problem. Foam came right out with it.

Glad to hear the foam lifted right out. I also have a 71 and will be pulling the tank in a couple of weeks. What size is the tank you are reffering to? I noticed that High Tide Marine, also linked to this site now has fiberglass tanks as well. Haven't gotten any prices from them yet.
http://www.hightidemarine.cc/fuel-tanks.htm

Hi Harv.
I've got the smaller 170 gallon tank.
Very happy that it came out easily. I was anticipating a struggle. The foam came right out with the tank. No cutting needed. I'll check with High Tide and get their cost and lead time. Thanks. The Kidd FB tank is 230 gals. but the dimensions will fit my 71. My deck height accomodates the bigger tank. I'd heard that around 71 Bertram raised the height of the deck and fortunately mine was one of the later 71s.
The Aluminum tank I'm considering is 204 gals from Luthor's in Bristol, RI.
Good luck. I'll post anything noteworthy.
Thanks again.
-stu

Harv.
Just checked the High Tide site.
Their 230 gal. tank is the exact same Kidd is representing.
-stu

I was talking with Richard down in AC this past summer. I think he and High Tide got together on that tank. I know it took him a while to put it together. In July he told me he would have it by October, but I think just recently got it done. The other option is Stainless, some of the guys have gone that route and will probably jump in. Tony Meola

Stu,

Try New England Propellor. They make a lot of tanks, and are on the cape. They also have a solid amount of OEM experience.

You might find it worthwhile as well.

Dug

Dug,
Thanks for the lead. Are these the guys in Plymouth?
-stu

Dug,
last fall I contacted NE prop for a tank for my 33. They gave me another # to call that is their sub-contractor. At that time, lead time for a tank was about a month. They were also $1000 more expensive than having a SS tank made & shipped from Fl.
Al

Yes, in Plymouth. I talked with them at length at the NE boatshow, and they have a lot of equipment in thier shop. Shears, big press brakes, and welding capacity. I am not sure that they outsource, but I won't argue, I just don't feel like it today.

They had a pile of tanks in the booth, and if they are not competitive, then they won't sell many...

Dug

For the what its worth dept, my 80 gallon fiberglass tank becomes 89 in aluminum, in 3/16 Luthers $965. and Capeway Welding/NE Prop $1000.

Keep Smilin

I just replaced my aluminum replacement tank with a new aluminum one. The "old" one was about 14 years old (maybe 12? I kinda forget for sure) but the tank was pitting which was what got me started on my whole redo. I think that the life of the aluminum tanks is only about ten years. Call S&P Sheet metal in Toms River, NJ. They make all of the tanks around here. I would bet they will tell you how long the aluminum tanks should last.