Good Buy on Worthington Propane Tank

[robertsapp]

Just FYI for everyone that has those hard to source 4.25 lb Worthington propane tanks on their boats - Lowes.com has them for $49.95. I've ordered a spare since I always seem to have to take the one on the boat home to sand and paint the bottom rim to keep it from turning into Swiss cheese!

 

[gfrazzle]

Propane Tank

Good tip. They are available on eBay but a lot higher price with shipping.

If you slice a piece of tubing/ hose and cover the bottom rim ( or even use duct tape), corrosion will be significantly reduced.

 

[robertsapp]

Re: Propane Tank

I needed one immediately when we bought our boat so I called Hunter parts. They charged $120 plus $13 shipping. This one is free shipping since I picked it up at my local Lowes. I'll pick up some vinyl tubing and see if I can make something that will work, thanks.

 

[Beechjetdriver]

Thanks for the tip! I also bought my spare tank from Hunter; very expensive. Lowes is definitely the way to go when it's time for a replacement.

 

[West Virginia Sailing Nut]

Wait a minute....

I just picked up one of the Lowes tank and it is a 4.5 not 4.25, it is about an inch taller then the stock tank and so will not work in the propane locker, I am going to build an external rack for it anyway as I am not much of a fan of having the tank inside my boat. Just wanted to toss that out before everyone gets excited.

 

[robertsapp]

I just picked up one of the Lowes tank and it is a 4.5 not 4.25, it is about an inch taller then the stock tank and so will not work in the propane locker, I am going to build an external rack for it anyway as I am not much of a fan of having the tank inside my boat. Just wanted to toss that out before everyone gets excited.

Did you drive down to Lowe's and buy one, or did you order one from Lowe's web site? The ones sold on the website aren't normally carried in stock at the stores, and they're the 4.25 lb tanks.

 

[robertsapp]

This is the one

that you can order online. As you can see, it's the right one, and measures less than 12" tall.

 

[Steve Dion]

Are the tanks from Lowe's steel or aluminum? What about Hunter?

I suspect that the reason the tank from Hunter was so expensive is that it is alum.

 

[Rich Stidger]

My two cents.....

Regarding steel vs aluminum, both tanks are certified for twelve years. If the steel tank is less or equal to half the price of an aluminum, it is an acceptable value to buy the steel. If the steel lasts longer than six years then you are ahead of the game. I suspect that if you wash the steel tank and give it a coat of paint every couple of years, it will last all of twelve years.

Yes, aluminum is nice, but I don't see the value in double the price or more.

BTW, the fiberglass tanks that you can see through?.... Because they are not made of METAL, they are only certified for FIVE years. Then you either have to get them re-certified or toss them and buy another one. If you really need to see into them then they are the only choice, but otherwise you could spend your money somewhat wiser, IMHO.

 

[robertsapp]

Both the same

The one from Hunter and the one from Lowes are both the same Worthington steel tank. The one I bought from Hunter has enough rust on the lower rim after six months that I've removed it from my boat to refurb. That's why I went shopping, and found the one at Lowes. At which point I thought "hmm, I can send Hunter another $120 for a second tank, or I can order the one from Lowes for $49. What shall I do?"

 

[robertsapp]

Picture of tank in locker

The one on the upper right is the $120 one from Hunter, the one on the lower left is the $49 one I ordered from Lowes.com. Took about two weeks for it to come in though.