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Anybody ever see one? hear of one? use one? I would really like to throw a fuel bladder in the splash well with about 5 to 10 gallon capacity and go. I think that would be great for my needs out fishing alone, or with a buddy. Seems like it would really save deck space. Its about the only idea I can think of short of cutting the deck and digging out foam and having one fabbed etc.

Well? ideas?

Thanks.

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Just curious.............why wouldn't you just use something like a 6 gal portable tank instead of a bladder. Wouldn't that be safer?

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Yea I guess, I was just thinking I could hold about ten gallons in a bladder that would fit in the well and I have only seen 6 gallon portables, I have two original OMC metal tanks that are in really good shape, I just think they take too much room. I don't much care for the plastic tanks that are available now.

Safety is a good question, I do have concerns about that, what are yours specifically if other than tears and spills?

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http://www.marinefuelbladders.com/pri...icing.html

Something like this only much much smaller. Maybe they could make one.

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I have used them on larger boats. the nice thing about them is the roll up for storage. The we had was large and held 100 +- gallons of diesel. Never had one with gasoline.

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That site I linked says they make em as small as 5 gallons, I just noticed. I think it would be sweet. I answered my own questions about safety. It seems they are plenty safe.

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John -

I am assuming you are talking about your 13. Since I am not sure what your tank setup is, have you considered a 12 gallon under the forward bench seat in addition to removable saddle tank against the transom. E. G. Moeller Model 600 and the 18 gallon saddle on Cabela's site.

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I am Phil, you are right. You can see my set up (mostly) in my project album. The thing is, I never ever use more than 6 gallons. Okay, 90 percent of the time, I don't use more than 6 gallons. I know this because I have two sixes now, and one sit in the garage. Each outing, I fill, and come home with some gas still in the one tank i take, about 2 gals. usually. I am standing and fishing while drifting the majority of the time i am out so I want to keep my feet clear. My only gripe about mounting under the front seat is the line running all the way back down the gunnel.

I don't see the saddle tank you are speaking about Phil. Can you link it please?

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I figured you would only have it in the boat when needed then take it out.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/tem...124012943a

It's a big tank and may be too heavy.

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Tears, spills and punctures would be my biggest concern, especially if you're using it mainly for fishing and around, knives, hooks, gafts, etc.

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No gaffs. 6lbs is a big 'ol largemouth or a pig smallie, or even a good 'eye. If I can't lift it with a few fingers it scares the crap outta me. I might get 8 or 10 pounds out of a northern but thats once or twice a year tops. We grow small fish up here. Lake St. Clair is arguably the best muskie fishery in the world but I can't afford the gear for that, never mind a boat to get me to the Canadian waters. Heck, I don't know if I could afford the Canadian license anymore. I can't pay upwards of 20 bucks a lure, and all that money for the rods and reels, so I fish for bass, and walleye and perch.

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I know that feeling very well!!!

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Devil's advocate for a moment:
i) If you fill your splash well with a bladder the splashes will slop into the boat.
ii) You're moving the weight farther aft so backwash will increase.
iii) Are they hard to fill at the gas pumps without spilling?

I like the idea of a bladder though.

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i) Good point.
ii) I have moved a good deal of weight forward as well, so I think it will counteract any weight aft. (interior is moved about 6-8 inchs forward, too a bench seat out of the rear for a lighter leaning post, battery, added rails etc.)
iii) Probably. I would imagine I would have to take another tank to the station, one with a funnel in it and pump into that, then transfer to the bladder.

I have a call out to a place on the west coast that makes them as small as five gallons. I wonder how many hundreds they will want.

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Aye, there's the rub!

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Ok I got the quote. It is not from the company I mentioned, but from a competitor. The bladder would be vulcanized rubber and 6 gallons. .....
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$1200.00

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Yeah, I think you should shop around a bit. :)

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Yep. Me too. 50 bucks for a plastic one is looking better all the time.

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A fuel bladder has to be inside a fuel cell. They are used mostly for fire protection in race cars and offshore race boats, You can`t just throw one on the deck like it was a hot water bottle. On second thought hot water bottle might work out. You wouldn`t even need a primer bulb, just step on the hot water bottle a couple of times.:D

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O ya you can we did, it was lashed down between the house and the fish hold. It was a pain in the a_ _ to transfer the fuel and keep the water from going in the tank. Had to head down hill the hole time, when we wanted to be going up hill that's why we had it.

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I agree Guts, I have seen em before on offshore fishers and such to extend range, it seemed like they were just strapped to the deck. I obviously just didn't realize how expensive tooling and materials would be.