Consumers who plan to buy a motorized vessel, it is imperative to know how to choose a fuel tank for the outboard engine. Convenience of operation, especially the care and refueling will largely depend on the nature of the gas tank.
A type
Currently, hard and soft fuel tank for outboard motor is available to owners of watercraft. The most common is the first type of product made from plastic.
Less commonly used is a soft variety of fuel tanks. Tanks of this category are completely tight and are made from a special, plastic material. Unfilled, such products remain flat. When filled with fuel, the soft fuel tank for the outboard motor takes on a three-dimensional shape. The capacity is blown off as fuel is consumed.
The main advantage of soft tanks is the acquisition of a form that perfectly matches the design features of the craft, which affects the economy of free space. Moreover, with the consumption of fuel, the walls of the tank are gradually compressed. Thus, the tank does not concentrate gasoline vapor in itself, and this is reflected in the fire safety level.
Despite the obvious advantages, a soft fuel tank for an outboard motor is not in high demand. The reason for this is a rather high price, which is not affordable for every interested consumer.
Rigid fuel tanks for outboard motors are portable and built-in. The lack of fuel tanks integrated into the engines is a small amount. While portable type models are more spacious, which opens up the possibility for the ship to cover significant distances without the need for additional refueling.
The form
Today in the market there are fuel tanks of various shapes. Most options are presented as a horizontal flat-bottomed canister. However, the most expensive solutions are characterized by a non-standard, more ergonomic shape.
First of all, tanks with a complex bottom profile deserve attention. The thing is the gradual formation of condensate in the middle of the fuel tank. Tanks with complex geometry produce a partial separation of accumulated water, preventing the latter from entering the fuel system.
The presence of dividing walls at the bottom of the tank helps to delay pollution, which is gradually deposited in the tank. The indicated structural feature somewhat reduces the useful volume of the product. However, partitions still play an important role in the separation of fuel.
Cost
The prices of boat fuel tanks reflect the following:
- material of manufacture;
- name of the manufacturer;
- useful volume;
- structural features;
- additional features.
The usual horizontal fuel tank for a 12 liter outboard motor with a cover will cost the owner about 50 y. e. With an increase in volume to 100 liters or more, the price may increase to 200 dollars.
Some portable models are capable of accommodating from 10 to 30 liters of fuel. Due to such restrictions, their cost ranges from 30-40 to 60 y. e. You will have to pay extra for a tank of this category if you have additional filters or automatic fuel level sensors.
It is only natural that brand recognition is reflected in value. So, the fuel tank for the Yamaha outboard motor is several times more expensive compared to products from lesser-known manufacturers, which at the same time has similar characteristics.
Selection tips
Those who are first engaged in the selection of a fuel tank for an engine of a ship should get acquainted with several criteria:
- The selection of suitable options should be based on indicators of fuel consumption by the engine. An important factor is the average duration of boat trips.
- When choosing a tank, you need to pay attention to the quality of components: fitting, hose, gaskets. The level of tightness of the fuel tank will depend on their class.
- The material of manufacture of the tank should be moderately elastic, strong and resilient. Assessing the resistance of plastic products to mechanical damage is quite simple. Usually enough to press several times on their body.
- It is better to purchase fuel tanks with a raised bottom. The danger of condensate entering the fuel system has already been mentioned above.
Finally
Experts recommend making a tank purchase at certified points of sale. In this case, paper is always presented to the consumer, which confirms the quality of the products. Moreover, in the event of breakdowns, detection of defects or violation of the integrity of the container, there is always the possibility of returning a low-quality product to the seller.