2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

[bag007]

I there.... I didnt know where to post this realtivey mundane question.
So I hope I have it in the right section.

Ok .... I have a16ft skiff and 25hp yamaha.... at the moment I have two 6 gallon tanks.... I have seen the 12 gallon tanks and though I may gain some space in the back if I got a 12 gallon. Is there any advantages dissadvantages from going with one 12gallon tank....
Thanks for your help...
TONY

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

If you always buy your fuel at a marina or gas station and don't have to remove the tanks to fill them, go with the single tank. If you have to remove them to fill them, you will not be able to lift a 12 gallon tank full of fuel into the boat. 12 gallons is 12 gallons. It boils down to what you have to contend with at fill up time.

 

[bag007]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Thanks silvertip thats one thing I hadnt thought of.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I faced the same thing...and had a prob with 2, 6-gallon tanks being too heavy in the stern. Bought a nine-gallon tank and mounted it up front with longer fuel line, and keep a 6 as a spare in the stern. Boat planes faster, and no problem lifting the 9 gallon if I need to.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I also faced this question. I currently have 3, 6gallon tanks in the stern. I need all the fuel because I take my boat on long trips up the coast.

My plan is to buy 2, 9gallon low profile tanks that will fit under the splash well in the back. This should save some space and a 9 gallon tank full weighs about 60lbs.

Check out westmarine.com they have a whole assortment of tanks in different shapes and sizes. You should be able to find some that will fit your boat and save some space.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Six is about all I care to lift anymore. Too many 50 lb bags of feed and 75 lb hay bales have made me a lightweight. Plus I always liked the idea of having a full tank to get home on after a day of fishing. Saltwater security blanket if you get my meaning.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Consider the weight distribution of where your tank or tanks will be before making a final decision. 2 tanks is always handy in case one of them becomes contaminated for any reason.
Just my thoughts though.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I'd stick w/ 2 tanks on an motor that small. Some days you will take just one. Easier to get rid of old gas before it goes bad. Back-up for valve failure (as well as contamination). Move them around to adjust trim. All the gas in the stern might be too much weight. Easy to know when you have used half your gas and need to go back home.
But if one tank is low and you are getting ready to cross some dangerous water, switch your tanks first. You might not want to stop in the middle of choppy water or a big channel.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

2 6 gallon, when you run out on the first tank, it is time to turn around.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I would keep the pair of 6 gallon tanks for exactly the reason that TD mentioned. Having a second tank can also give you some backup, in the event of a leak.

There is also no reason why you can't install a valve to switch from one tank to the other, just because the tanks are portable. All you have to do is to put quick disconnects on the fuel lines, at each tank. You can then run the rest of the lines as you would if you had two, permanently mounted tanks. That includes putting a fuel/water separator in the system, as well.



???

 

[jasonbailey]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I used to carry 3 six gallon tanks. I switched to two 12 gallon tanks. The one downside is fueling. Instead of just tanking the tanks to the gas station, the whole rig has to go now. I have not noticed too much of a difference in handling, or speed. The two tanks seem to take up less room, plus they look a bit better than the old.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

id stick with 2, 6 gallons unless your a big boy like me and the 12 doesnt really bother you.mind you im getting older and 6 gallons doesnt really look that bad any more.i have a 17 foot boat now so i rarely ever take out the portable 12 anymore ,i just fill up every time i go out no matter what.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I'd stick with the two 6 gallon tanks mesself.

I have a 19.x foot cuddy cabin fer Puget Sound that I had ta pull the aluminum belly tank out of, (as it has a hole in it), n' I'm reluctantly gonna stick with incornvenient 6 gallon tanks fer the followin' reason:

If the area that you live in is forcin' ya to put corn in yer tank like the Soviet State where I reside has done, (so the fat Corporate farmers in the cornbelt where the presidential primaries are kicked off can get tax payer subsudies), designed ta increase the prices in the food chain, (which it did: BTW), and ruin as many marine engines as possible, (which it has done: BTW). (With alcohol that Central Corntrol forces into all gasoline based fuel), designed ta break down fuel system parts ta detonate yer engine n' generate new 4 poke outboard engine sales and or rebuilds on existin' engines. Ya can make sure to use the whole six gallons at a time, n' dump out the water saturated and or seperated corn squeezin's in the 6 gallons ya don't use.

BTW: ya don't actually think burnin' alcohol in yer engine is good fer the envoronment do ya???? Hint: it makes yer fuel burn up quicker as it is much less efficient then petrolium based fuel, (generatin' more polution n' co2 n' such). It also make all engines run worse and require greater maintenence, (ya think a rough runnin' engine runs cleaner do ya)????

If you have cornsumed sooooooo much kool aid that ya think tax payer subsidized corn in yer tank is a good thing I have a bridge fer sale. It floats.

Ain't Central Corntrol sweeeeeeeet?????? NOT!

Me overpriced $.02. JR

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Another factor - I keep my boat in the water 7-8 months of the year and the marinas around here are generally 30 to 50 cents higher per gallon, so I use the portables to get my fuel on shore and tote them to the boat.

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I ran 4 6 gallon tanks and switched to 2 12s. Ended up switching back to 4 6s again. "Portable" 12s are a pain.

-E

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Isn't it a law or at least common sense that portable tanks need to be filled on the dock not in the boat.
And of course permanent tanks need to be properly vented and filled from a deck mounted fill pipe. I know I couldn't lift close to 100 lbs uncluding the tank in and possibly out of a boat.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Isn't it a law or at least common sense that portable tanks need to be filled on the dock not in the boat.
And of course permanent tanks need to be properly vented and filled from a deck mounted fill pipe. I know I couldn't lift close to 100 lbs uncluding the tank in and possibly out of a boat.

good question ,i fill mine at the gas station before i go out to the lake and no i dont take it out of the boat to do it.i dont find the tank (12 gallons )really all that heavy, more ackward then anything.

 

[bag007]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

I guess the two 6 tanks will stay. I have recently suffered from bad yscky gas from alocal gas station... soo... lesson learned.....
TONY

 

[gss036]

Re: 2.. 6 gallon fuel tanks or one 12 gallon

Check this out from sea sense, dual 6 gal tanks and they have the hose connections also.
http://www.seasense.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=258

http://seasense.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=40
look at the bottom of the page. I would think IBoats would carrying them by now.