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09-25-2018, 06:56 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
City: Pittwater
Vessel Name: Liberty
Vessel Model: 57 foot Halvorsen
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 196
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Fuel Bladders
Hi,
wondering if anyone has had experience with purchasing, carrying , and using Fuel Bladders above deck on vessels.
We are planning on taking Liberty from Australia across to New Caledonia ( 880 nautical miles) next May for a few months and although on paper we have more than sufficent fuel to do the crossing ( 6,500 litres) I am considering carrying say two bladders of 500 litres each to provide additional security , if for some we were to ruptre one of our 6 existing tanks , and also to know once we get there if not used we have another 1,000 litres of clean fuel.
I am interested in any experiences people have had with them, suggested brand types to purchase, best way to secure them, and most importantly how best to tranfer the fuel whilst at sea.
looking forward to any advice.
regards Chris D Liberty
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09-25-2018, 09:18 AM
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#2
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Guru
City: Aventura FL
Vessel Name: Kinja
Vessel Model: American Tug 34 #116 2008
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 10,595
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Yea, that 'on paper' can come back and bite you in the butt.
Per the bladder, I think you have a greater chance of a ruptured bladder than a tank.
You might want to contact someone who polishes fuel for advice and maybe rentals.
IF you opt for bladders, I suggest you top off the tanks once a day from the bladders. Storing full bladders on the upper deck might make it a bit top heavy and affecting the stability of the boat during "weather."
__________________
Two days out the hospital after a week in the hospital because of a significant heart attack.
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09-25-2018, 10:29 AM
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#3
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Guru
City: Miami Florida
Vessel Name: Possum
Vessel Model: Ellis 28
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,308
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I sold bladder tanks for many years. I think mostly to drug smugglers.
I recommend tanks made by Aero Tec Laboratories. They’ve been making bladder tanks almost fifty years.
The only problem I’ve ever heard of was when a sport fish boat had one on it’s foredeck and it got loose. Took out the bow rail and ended up floating in the water.
http://www.atlinc.com
__________________
Parks Masterson
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supply
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09-25-2018, 10:59 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
City: Camarillo
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 438
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Fuel Bladders
I have used ATL diesel fuel bladders with a big success in my old boat we sold a couple years ago.
I used two - 150 Gallon sized for each one & put them, one in each back side corner of my engine room. ( Single engine 46 footer)
They have securing kits available to hold them in place & an under piece for anti Chafe protection for the bottom.
There is a fitting right on the bladder with a valve for a fuel line to hook to & it was an easy plumbing job to put them in to our fuel system. Easy to fill & easy to use. two different types & many different sizes depending on your needs.
Here is link:
http://www.atlinc.com/pdfs/PillowTan...adders-web.pdf
Worked like a champ.
Pricing seemed good to me.
Good Luck.
Alfa Mike
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09-25-2018, 11:01 AM
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#5
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Guru
City: San Diego
Vessel Model: Helmsman 4304
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,005
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I bought a 50 gal Aero Tek a few years ago to use on our Express Cruiser to get more range to go offshore, but never ended up using it. The kit provides the needed gear to transfer fuel, and lash it down. Most people use gravity to fill their tanks with the provided tubing. If for some reason your bladder is lower than the tanks, I suppose you will need a way to get a suction going, or a pump. As noted, a lot of sport fishers use them, so if you google other sites you will probably find more info and can get direct feed back on lashing them down and how they fed their tanks while at sea. MV Dirona, the guy who crosses oceans, also talks about the subject on his website I believe.
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09-25-2018, 11:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
City: La Paz, BCS
Vessel Name: Ansedonia
Vessel Model: Californian/Carver 52CPMY
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 379
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For my last trip to Baja I looked into using bladders. What I ended up doing was buying food-grade 12 gal containers on Craig's List. They were easy to handle and to secure in the cockpit. I used one of those drill-powered pumps to transfer fuel to my main tanks. Worked a treat.
Good luck, Bill
__________________
"There is simply nothing more worth while than messing around in boats."
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09-25-2018, 11:15 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,093
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I know several people who have used them. Secure them well, and locate as low as possible to have less impact on stability. And DO NOT empty them a little bit at a time. Do it all at once. As soon at they are less than full they become unstable and will slosh around. Everyone I know has run on their regular tanks until there is space to empty the bladders, then they empty the bladders right away.
I also know two people who have used Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) for extra fuel. https://www.tranpak.com/tools/faq/wh...bulk-container They have bought them locally used, then resold on arrival at their destination. They are very inexpensive, rugged, and resellable. The only catch is that you need to have enough space on deck for one (or more).
__________________
MVTanglewood.com
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09-25-2018, 11:30 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Carefree, Arizona
Vessel Name: sunchaser V
Vessel Model: DeFever 48 (sold)
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,186
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedtree
I also know two people who have used Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) for extra fuel. https://www.tranpak.com/tools/faq/wh...bulk-container They have bought them locally used, then resold on arrival at their destination. They are very inexpensive, rugged, and resellable. The only catch is that you need to have enough space on deck for one (or more).
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Yes, like Star. An IBC can be easily blocked and lashed down in a cockpit of suitable dimensions. In most vessels the lazarette provides the ability to support the deck from underneath if any deck weight bearing concerns.
Or do as in some lesser privileged countries and carry a few 55 gallon drums.
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09-25-2018, 11:59 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: North Vancouver
Vessel Name: Phoenix Hunter
Vessel Model: Kadey Krogen 42 (1985)
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,877
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Fuel Bladders
Snips! Already covered by Dan, above.
Jim
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09-25-2018, 01:13 PM
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#11
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Guru
City: Between Oregon and Alaska
Vessel Name: Charlie Harper
Vessel Model: Wheeler Shipyard 83'
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,023
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Lot of bladders were used in tuna boats for extended range. Usually in the hold before fishing. Once empty, they could be rolled up and stored away. I also used 55 gallon plastic drums once empty stored on deck.
You need to be sure of stability when storing fuel on deck. Bladders don't have baffles so if not full you get the free surface affect when the fuel moves. Many boats have capsized because of it.
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09-25-2018, 03:11 PM
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#12
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Guru
City: Melbourne, FL
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,731
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partially full bladder problems
You need to be careful to use enough fuel from your tanks before you top them off with the bladder. Bladders can get quite rolly with free surface problems if you have them partially filled.
Make sure they are tied down securely. If you put them on your cockpit, you may not be able to access the lazarette via the cockpit until you empty the bladder.
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