Auxiliary fuel tanks above deck

KC8QVO

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2012
Messages
247
I am looking around at some fuel tank options. I asked the question a couple days ago somewhere else about changing out the stock fuel tank in certain model boats and the answer I got was essentially what they come with is all you can do. The reasoning was the baffles, separators, screens, etc affect the fuel system and it won't be easy to change the tank and dial everything back in. I don't know enough to know any different, so I'll go along with it until I find out otherwise.

So my question is about above-deck tanks. Instead of stocking up on 5 gallon jerry cans, how hard would it be to get a bigger tank and plumb it in to the main tank below deck with a port and valve in the line? It seems to me this would be a real easy set up - when the main tank gets low just open the valve and fill the main tank back up from the auxiliary tank. I see there are tanks of all sizes and shapes available.
 

crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: Auxiliary fuel tanks above deck

Make and model of boat? A friend just took out a 200 gallon tank and had a 150 fabricated. Many old aluminum tanks have rusted to the point pin holes began to leak and they were replaced. Sadly, it often means cutting the floor to get the old out and new in. All in all, it will save space and be much safer to replace the tank than have a fuel tank above deck. Also, the weight transfer could easily effect stability and handling. Not a good idea in my opinion.
 

pckeen

Commander
Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Messages
2,067
Re: Auxiliary fuel tanks above deck

Sounds like you got a bad answer.

There are lots of options for fuel tanks, and lots of different sizes and shapes. Just take a look at the iboats fuel tanks section.

The difficulty is getting it out. Take a look at the restoration section on this.
 
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