Propane Tank for 2019 R-29?

[mlanger]

My propane tanks were rusting badly on the bottom. The propane locker is not sealed against splashing water and salt water eats right through them, despite the paint they came with. I was in the habit of scraping off the rust with a wire brush, washing off the dust, drying it completely, and then using spray on auto undercoating and rustproofing to prevent more rust. It helped, but not much. I recently had my tank filled at a marina and was told that the tanks were illegal because of the black paint on the bottom that could be covering damage. 🙄

Anyway, I've decided to get new propane tanks and they are not displayed on the online "Ranger Tugs part catalog." They are a weird, tiny size. I think they might be the 5lb/1.2 gal version here: https://www.fisheriessupply.com/manchester-tank-steel-propane-cylinders-vertical-tc/10054tcth-4

Can someone knowledgeable confirm this?

Also, if anyone has found aluminum or composite tanks that will fit in our tiny lockers, can you provide a link? I know I'll be dealing with rust on another set of steel tanks.

 

[Maggie Anne]

I don't have an answer for the replacement tanks but I've had success in reducing corrosion substantially by using a honeycomb style drainage matt in the propane locker for keeping the bottom of the tank up off the floor. They can be found at Home Depot and elsewhere, and usually come in 12 x 12 squares

 

[watson1987]

Amazon.com

These are exact matches. I couldn't find anything else that would fit, but I did learn that 3 propane tanks do fit if you don't use the extra spot for a jerry can.

Mine are also painted block on the bottom portion, I made sure not to cover up any of the certification stamps, I haven't had a problem yet. What marina was it? I've filled mine at multiple UHaul locations in Seattle, the local gas station by my house, Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor marina's without issues.

 

[Red Raven]

The tanks in your link should work fine. I buy new ones every few years but also paint the bottom and use a ribbed mat to make them last even that long. I never found any aluminum, stainless, or fiberglass ones that will fit. You can buy three or four sets of the steel ones for the cost of other alternatives anyway.

 

[mlanger]

The tanks in your link should work fine. I buy new ones every few years but also paint the bottom and use a ribbed mat to make them last even that long. I never found any aluminum, stainless, or fiberglass ones that will fit. You can buy three or four sets of the steel ones for the cost of other alternatives anyway.

Thanks for this. Although I'd rather have something that would just LAST, you're definitely right about the cost.

 

[mlanger]

Amazon.com

These are exact matches. I couldn't find anything else that would fit, but I did learn that 3 propane tanks do fit if you don't use the extra spot for a jerry can.

Mine are also painted block on the bottom portion, I made sure not to cover up any of the certification stamps, I haven't had a problem yet. What marina was it? I've filled mine at multiple UHaul locations in Seattle, the local gas station by my house, Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor marina's without issues.

That's a little cheaper than what I was looking at, too. Thanks for the link. I never had a problem until the folks at San Juan Sailing & Yachting filled a tank for me. The dockhand who did the job had no problem with it, but one of the staff members did. Fortunately, he didn't have final say. But it got me thinking.

And despite painting it over and over with that undercoating and rustproofing paint, the rust still happens. I'll replace them and use the propane in the existing tanks on my BBQ grill at home before disposing of them at the propane place. I do not want a propane leak.

 

[mlanger]

I don't have an answer for the replacement tanks but I've had success in reducing corrosion substantially by using a honeycomb style drainage matt in the propane locker for keeping the bottom of the tank up off the floor. They can be found at Home Depot and elsewhere, and usually come in 12 x 12 squares

I tried this and could not get the locker to close with the tanks raised even a fraction of an inch. I don't understand why the locker can't be made more watertight to prevent this problem.

 

[Red Raven]

I tried this and could not get the locker to close with the tanks raised even a fraction of an inch. I don't understand why the locker can't be made more watertight to prevent this problem.

Propane is heavier than air and needs to vent out the bottom for safety. This is why the locker is on the swimstep and also why it gets wet. Closing up the vents to make it water tight would be unsafe.

 

[Captmike]

I got tired of cleaning up after the steel tanks and purchased a flat lying aluminum tank 2.4 gal tank. Pricey but solved the problem. Brand name Worthington and i think fisheries and west marine carry them.

 

[mlanger]

Propane is heavier than air and needs to vent out the bottom for safety. This is why the locker is on the swimstep and also why it gets wet. Closing up the vents to make it water tight would be unsafe.

That makes sense. Unfortunately.

 

[mlanger]

I got tired of cleaning up after the steel tanks and purchased a flat lying aluminum tank 2.4 gal tank. Pricey but solved the problem. Brand name Worthington and i think fisheries and west marine carry them.

First, I'm glad it's not just me. Second, I like the idea of two separate tanks because as long as I always keep one topped off, I'll never run out of propane. The gauges aren't very accurate. But an aluminum tank sounds like a good solution.

 

[Captmike]

First, I'm glad it's not just me. Second, I like the idea of two separate tanks because as long as I always keep one topped off, I'll never run out of propane. The gauges aren't very accurate. But an aluminum tank sounds like a good solution.

I would have gone with two small tanks non-steel tanks but could find nothing available that would fit in the locker.

 

[Jcat2010]

Different model tug, same issue. Rubber gasket around the lip of the lid. Ball and socket type latch for the lid. Rubber honeycomb mat under the tanks. Clear poly drain hose on the bottom of the cupholders so they don't drop water all over the tanks. And lastly...paint the bottom support ring on the 5lb propane tanks with Rust-Oleum primer, the liquid kind, that paints on heavy and forms a nice hard waterproof coating. No more problems

 

[William Sanborn]

I use Ferrellgas, but any of the propane supply Company's can help you match up the tank, and if you buy from them might give it to you full.

 

[Toucan]

The gauges on the propane tanks are usually accurate. They usually measure the propane gas pressure, not liquid volume. As long as there is both gas and liquid in a tank, the pressure will depend on the temperature of the propane liquid. When there is no longer any liquid left in the tank, the pressure of the remaining propane gas will drop as it is used up.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic

 

[b&jsrubiconii]

Mlanger:

Just received the insanely expensive aluminum tank from Fisheries Supply and took it to be filled: Gas station was completely flummoxed as to how to fill it (no way to let the pressure out as filled)....No stupid questions, BUT: How do you fill it??

Thanks for anyone who can answer this mystery!!

 

[mlanger]

Mlanger:

Just received the insanely expensive aluminum tank from Fisheries Supply and took it to be filled: Gas station was completely flummoxed as to how to fill it (no way to let the pressure out as filled)....No stupid questions, BUT: How do you fill it??

Thanks for anyone who can answer this mystery!!

I wound up buying the same exact tanks I had. I'm pretty sure they were under $100 each. The first thing I did when I got them home was put several layers of an oil based spray paint on the bottom to try to head off the rust there.

I do not have an answer for your question, however I am surprised that you were able to find a tank that fit in our propane locker. Did you have to reconfigure it?

 

[Cutwater28GG]

i spray my new tanks with rust inhibitor and then coat them with rubber paint. only need to paint up to the halfway point. most of the corrision is from sitting in salt water at the bottom.

 

[mlanger]

i spray my new tanks with rust inhibitor and then coat them with rubber paint. only need to paint up to the halfway point. most of the corrision is from sitting in salt water at the bottom.

I really think this is something everyone should be doing with brand new tanks. Mine were pretty awful; I'm surprised that refill places continued to fill them. But when I put the boat on a charter program, they absolutely would not allow them. It's OK; I was ready for new ones anyway.