Is Ezell (tank manufacturer) still in business

woodster · Jan 30, 2015

look at ronco plastics and see what they have

http://www.ronco-plastics.com/newRonco/images/2012MARINE.pdf

also look at moller

http://www.moellermarine.com/oem/fuel_tanks/fuel-tanks/

31seahorse · Jan 30, 2015

Hello smokey73,

Perry, FL must be the breeding grounds for fuel tank manufacturers! When we replaced the tank in our 1986 Caliber 28 we had a new aluminum tank made by RDS Manufacturing in Perry, Florida. If your fuel tank is not a simple rectangular container you might have difficulty finding a "plastic" tank design that fits your area snugly. The discussion of our project appears in the SBO Forums in April/2014. Performing a fuel tank ectomy is the title if you have an interest in reviewing the article. It contains a few pictures of the work.

RDS MFG. Inc. 300 Industrial Park Drive, PO Box 1908, Perry, Florida 32348 (850) 584-6898

If I can be of any help send a PM and I will respond. Respectfully, Phil

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jan 30, 2015

Ronco doesn't make fuel tanks, only water and waste tanks. Reason: water and waste tanks are made of LINEAR polyethylene...fuel tanks must be made of CROSS LINKED p.e. because petroleum will permeate--actually soak through--linear in a heartbeat. It won't permeate cross-linked poly. Plastic fuel tanks must also be made to USCG standards and USCG certified that they meet those standards...all of which are the reasons why most plastic water and waste tank mfrs don't also make fuel tanks...it's more trouble than it's worth. Liability exposure may explain why at least a couple of plastic fuel tank mfrs have ceased making them...it's just become more trouble than it's worth.

So he's prob'ly better off going with a metal fuel tanks supplier. Nibrile will outlast the boat, but costs about as much as a space shuttle launch...aluminum, although a very BAD choice for waste--both black and gray water--holding, is fine for fuel.

windward54 · Jan 30, 2015

Or you can order a plastic replacement from Triple M Plastics in Maine. They supplied a number of 40.5's with a plastic replica of the tank that drops in place. It's what we did with our old boat.

207-985-4705

windward54 · Jan 31, 2015

Sorry, misread the post and missed the fuel part. Guess I was thinking of the project we did, as it really made an impression when we pulled the waste tank.

FastOlson · Feb 1, 2015

smokey73 said:
1994 Hunter 40.5

My fuel tank is original for 9/93 and an aluminum tank from Ezell in Perry Florida. I tried to call them and get a message that they are "shutdown for Christmas and New Year" and will open again on January 5th. No one answers the phone even during the normal work day, just the old message.

Does anyone know if they are still in business or if someone else bought the business? If they are not, does anyone know of a maker of replacement tanks for the Hunter 40.5, either aluminum or some other diesel compatible material (I know aluminum is a problem if water/microbes get in the tank, etc). Is there some poly or plastic that is good for this application?

I am not sure if the tank will need replace and I'll be pulling it out in a few days or a week or two. Then I'll cut an inspection hole, clean it out, and go from there. I'm just lining up alternate paths if I have to replace the tank.

Thanks in advance.

Best material for a diesel tank is 5000 series aluminum. If you cannot find someone near your home, and you have an accurate drawing...
contact http://coastlinemarinetanks.com/
They are experts and built a great new custom-shape diesel tank for our boat.
Good chance to have proper clean-out ports added and a new fuel gauge sender, too.

(I have no connection with them, personal or financial, BTW.)

Loren

Crazy Dave Condon · Feb 3, 2015

Peggy Hall;

It was great seeing you in Annapolis having lunch with Jim and Joan. Good to hear you quite smoking girl.

Solstice · Feb 4, 2015

smokey73 said:
It turns out Ezell is still in business and has the drawings for my tank. They were unaware their answering machine still had the old message from the Christmas holiday break. I have a quote from them that seems very reasonable. I am getting a couple other quotes too since I've already started the process.

I have purchased a replacement tank from these guys and they were great to work with. They supply tanks for Catalina and at the time I decided to go right to the source instead of going through Catalina. It was cheaper and faster.
I also have a friend who is in the process of replacing his tank with a larger one than OEM. He is working with them on the dimensions and they will make one to his spec. I have no affiliation with them, but highly recommend...