Permenant tank mock up.

[Mark42]

Cut a piece of cardboard to match the size of an eighteen gallon tank I'm thinking of mounting under the deck. It's measurements are 26" long, 11 3/4" wide and 16" tall. In the first photo below you can see how the tank will stick out into the foot well of the driver and passenger area. Not a real problem, because there is space for your feet, it's just a little cramped if you want both feet straight ahead. And the tank won't be hanging in the air, it will be on plywood that is supported.<br /><br />The second photo shows how much the tank can be moved forward if the front most corners were modified. It returns all the foot space. <br /><br />I had asked in another post about heating these tanks to bend/modify their shape. A few folks responded "yes". So now you see why I asked. Heating and pressing in the two front corners only 1 inch from each side in conjunction with raising the tank 1 inch, will return about 3 inches of foot space.<br /><br />With this setup, the fill will be directly over the front of the tank, about midway between the Bow chock and Mooring Bit on the deck. This is a convenient location (easy reach) when in a gas station for a fill up, which is how I usually fuel it.<br /><br />Without modifying corners:<br />

<br /><br />With modifying corners:<br />

 

[breton26]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

Mark, Those measurements I sent you, do I have more space in the front of mine than you do or is this a different tank. The tank you sent me the dimentions for worked perfectly in my boat.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

Brenton26,<br /><br />Yeah, I think they are different. You measured 34 inches or so and I have 30 or 31. But this is a different size tank: 26L, 11.75W, and 16H. The other tank is 18.5x 14x 18h. Even though the second tank is shorter, it is 3.25 wider, and 2" higher making it a real tight fit at the top. Both of these are 18 gallon tanks. There is a 12 gallon that is a perfect fit, but I'm trying to fit a larger tank.<br /><br />Maybe there are differences between our year boats. I think you mentioned in one post that the floor is plywood? In my 65 it's fiberglass.<br /><br />At any rate, fitting a 18 gallon under the deck is getting to be a PITA!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

18 gallons is a lot of gas. Are you doing camping trips in your boat? Have you tried running the boat with 150 lbs or so tucked up front to see how she'll handle? A friend of mine had a runabout about the size of yours with a six gallon tank up front. It handled fine and the tank up front freed up valuable space but it was only six gallons. I hate to sound like a doubter but I'd guess your going to be nose heavy there. Unless you plan to run it half empty on most occasions, and only filler up when you go on an expedition. Maybe that's what you were thinkin'... I'll shut up..

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

I had my brother in the front passenger seat. He is a big guy, probably over 250 lbs. He really helped cut down on the porpoising, but it still happened a bit. Between the two of us, that was 450 lbs in the front seats. (I have since lost 30 lbs, so I can afford more weight up front!)<br /><br />You're right about it not having to be full all the time. Just want the ability to fill up, and spend the whole day crusing.<br /><br />Gas is cheaper at the marinas, right? Right?

 

[TexomaAv8r]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

When my brother owned my MFG he loaded it very heavy up front with camping gear of all sorts, it handled ok

 

[Mark42]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

I found a Moeller 14 gallon tank that will fit without modification. Just waiting to get a price on it. Could be a lot quicker to install if I don't have to mess around modifying things.

 

[SeaHorse]

Re: Permenant tank mock up.

Get the 19 gallon bow tank. Its only 20" long. I just put one in, nice tank. About $150 w/fuel gage sender.