Re LPG cylinders, any pros/cons aluminum vs fiberglass/synthetic materials?

[P1PEL1NE]

I like corrosion-free stuff, and fiberglass is about as corrosion-free as it comes. Defender has 17lb tanks that will hold 4.7 lbs of gas, I believe. Aluminum would be my second choice. Am I wrong?

[Sailmonkey]

We've got two 10# fiberglass cylinders. I think they're great!! I do keep them out of the sun, even though they're suppose to UV stable.

[Cotemar]

Fiberglass Propane tanks are the way to go on a boat. View the contents and how full the tank is through the tank. Light weight and corrosion free.
Whats not to like about Fiberglass Propane tanks

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Fiberglass Propane tanks are the way to go on a boat. View the contents and how full the tank is throught the tank. Light weight and corrosion free.
Whats not to like about Fiberglass Propane tanks

Well, for cruisers, one thing to not like is that in some countries they will not fill them.

But I certainly agree that they seem well suited to marine usage, and perhaps in time more folks will come to accept them.

Cheers,

Jim

[Tingum]

You do not say how large your boat is or how you use it. If you are a serious cruiser you will want at least two 20 lb non corrosive cylinders.

[SVNeko]

There was an earlier thread on here where mild steel fittings were used on some composite ones, I think.

[Kettlewell]

One disadvantage of both aluminum and fiberglass tanks is they are expensive, and there are some places where they might be theft magnets. For example, in Cartagena the only way to get a fill when I was there was to have someone come to Club Nautico and take the tank away for a day and then return with it filled. All the cruisers would pile their tanks on the dock, leave them there, and hopefully they would return the next day. Also, keep in mind that the dimensions are different, so one or the other might not fit in a particular tank locker. I've had aluminum tanks for years with no major issues, but I think if I had it to do over again I might just go for steel ones, keep them well painted, and replace when necessary. I used to go this way, and with a modicum of care it is possible to get a decade or more out of steel tanks.

[SimonV]

I just had my aluminum 9# tanks re fitted with a non Californian valve, it was getting to the stage no one would fill them as it took forever. Anyhow $34 each new valve and gas and both were re-stamped for another 10 years. As for the composite tanks the shop owner stated there had been a number of issues with some, something to do with the valve seats, and they needed to be pressure tested every 3 to 5 years and at 10 are to be scraped. Has anyone else heard this as I would have liked to have one 22# one.

[valhalla360]

If you are cruising in the states, I suggest the old standard BBQ tank.

Too few places actually fill anymore. Also if you swap them out every month or two, rust isn't much of an issue.

[Cheechako]

The fiberglass one I bought was not expensive at all, $59 for a 10#. Something about it just makes my gut churn though. Usually my gut is right... but I guess there have been no issues. On my boats I always had aluminum ones and liked them alot.

[Kettlewell]

The fiberglass one I bought was not expensive at all, $59 for a 10#.

That's a great price. The cheapest fiberglass 10# ones I've seen have been about $90.

The fiberglass ones are the way to go if you are considering a propane outboard.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

That's a great price. The cheapest fiberglass 10# ones I've seen have been about $90.

Maybe my statement was a little mis-leading.... Ace Hardware, Cape Canaveral/Cocoa, FL. Sale. I guess you have to look for a sale.... I think it was an attempt to "introduce " the fiberglass ones to the market probably.... hopefully people can still get them like that on a sale deal occassionally. $79+ might be a more common price I suppose.

Later: A quik check online shows 20# as low as $81 and 10# $77. Not sure if one should buy the cheapest or not!

[SimonV]

The best price I could find here in Oz was $210 for the 22lb/10kg which is the only size available at this time here. It has the same diameter as my 9lb/4kg aluminum, but double the height.