Hello all;
Ordered new tanks a while ago now; yard did not get a chance to install in 2022. They are installing now, and upon unwrap, there’s an issue with a hole in one of the threaded inserts.
Anyone had an issue with these tanks?
Anyone have an idea for the way forward?
Two pictures from the yard crew attached.
John NS26C 046 Bath, ON.
These tanks are polyethylene, the same plastic as hot glue. Gently pass a flame from a propane lighter over the hole or gap to prepare the surface, then plug it with hot glue. Worked for me1
Barry Connell
N36 Nocturne
Newburyport, MA
First question; Yours look like welded polyethylene. I don’t know if they were from the same manufacturer, but the Tally Ho project had similar experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5lFowAA–8
Having worked in manufacturing engineering in my earlier years I find it unconscionable that tanks with leaks would ever be shipped and I’m not sure I’d trust the rest of their work to hold up. You might want to pressure test it (just a couple of PSI!) before installing to ensure there are no pinholes. I think they showed a process for testing in that video.
Second question; Hobie makes kayaks from polyethylene and they sometimes take a beating. I run a volunteer organization in which kayakers remove fishing gear and litter from lakes and shorelines. Our boats are treated like work boats, get a lot of abuse and sometimes need repair. Hobie sells a repair kit which I’ve used a number of times (and need to use again if I can find the latest pesky leak!) Here is a link where you can buy one:
https://www.amazon.com/Hobie-Welder-Pro-Stock-72097001/dp/B004CGCY34
That welder has a handy feed-through hole for the plastic material, lots of color choices, but a blunt tip. Here is a different one with out the feed hole, but with a pointed tip that might be better working into a corner, though that does not look like an issue for you.
https://smile.amazon.com/Poly-Welder-Plastic-Repair-Black/dp/B00U1IO5PM
You will notice that both of these kits come with stainless reinforcing mesh. I think I would be tempted to cut that to encircle the whole fitting flange. You can actually heat the mesh with the iron and push it into the underlying plastic. Then add more plastic to cover it and - very important - smooth and feather out your edges to remove stress points. Remember that something is going to be screwed into this and connect to a hose which will vibrate.
I’ve never done a fuel tank, so no guarantees, but I think that would give you a very long-lived repair. I used this method to repair a crack where my seat rests in the kayak (these kayaks have removable lawn-chair like seats) and it has lasted for three years of my way too heavy butt falling into it, sitting in it, and squirming around as I pedaled or leaned over the edge to work. Probably more stress than this fuel tank joint would ever see.
Where did you get the tank from, was it through the INA members tank program?
Don
Hi All -
I’ll be handling this with John and the manufacturer as it was purchased through the INA Tank Replacement Program. It’s rare that there are any issues with the tanks.
Thanks for the comments.
Bob Gehrman
INA Tanks Program Manager
