Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

[wyoben]

Is it unsafe to install a bow fuel tank in an enclosed cuddy type boat, just wondering....

 

[Franki]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

no.. not unless you take precautions..<br /><br />For one thing. the tank needs to vent outside the cabin.. so you'll have to do some creative mounting of the breather..<br /><br />I plan on putting a bow tank in my halfcabin.. and I will be sealing that section completely seperate to the inside of the cabin.. and venting it the same.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

If, for no other reason than ballance, look for saddle tanks to put on each side in the aft end of the boat. It will be safer, it will make the boat ride better, get better fuel economy (getting that weight off the bow will reduce drag dramatically), it will steer better, and most important you will be using that fuel pump to pull the fuel a shorter distance - shorter fuel line - which is going to be a lot easier on the diaphram in it.<br /><br />Thom

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

Im with Thom. The worst possible place to add weight, 99.999% of the time, is in the bow. have a bunch of people ride in the nose to see what effect it has first.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

Multiple fuel tanks present issues that a single fuel tank does not have. I would avoid multiple tanks if at all possible. If the weight of the additional tank is going to be significant, the best/safest place to add it is almost always going to be center and low.<br /><br />If you’re tossing in a little 20-gal or so, it probably doesn’t matter much.<br /><br />How big a tank are you putting in? How big is the boat?

 

[airman]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

As long as it is properly installed and vented overboard, it should be safe. As far as weight goes, I know my boat loves weight forward. It won't even plane if I've got a few people sitting in the back until I get them to move forward.

 

[Franki]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

I'm with Airman on this one..<br /><br />I have a spot right in the very nose of the boat where there is a big area of totally wasted space.. and my boat is already to rear heavy... so an auxillary bow tank would be just the answer.. in my case if I can get a 10 gallon up there I'd be happy.. I already have to trim my motor right in to level out the boat.. so once I have moved all the heavy fixtures as far forward as possible, I'm hoping to be able to trim the motor back out to vertical again.. (I'm wasting valuable forward motion to push the nose down at present).<br /><br />Also, I'd guess that, long fuel line or not.. there wouldn't be much load on the fuel pump as it'd almost always be a gravity feed from the nose of the boat... on planing hulls at least.<br /><br />However if i had a boat that already had nice weight distribution.. or worse was nose heavy.. I'd not persue the bow tank idea.. in my case its a simple case of wanting to even out the weight fore and aft..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki

 

[wyoben]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

Thanks guys, I have a 21 ft v hull type boat here is some pics <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...6430&item=2448916710&sspagename=STRK:MEBWN:IT <br /><br />I have not had it in the water yet, nothing but ice here this time of year. I got it about gutted replacing the stringers and floor, it already has a 40 gal aluminum tank in the center under the floor which seems to be in good condition externaly, have not drained it yet. The boat has a big cubby in the bow, thought maybe I should put one of those bow tanks in there while I'm at it. That way I would not have to pay marina (if there is one) gas prices. I could fuel on the trailer. I guess I'll wait to see how she rides. I sent the prop off to get repaired, it was 15 1/5 with 19 pitch, I had them repitch it to 17 as we are up in altitude here and I want to be able to troll with it, do you think this was a good decision?

 

[airman]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

Congratulations! I hope it looks as good up close as in the pics. I hope the 470 works well for you. I'm quite happy with mine but there are others who don't like it so much. I've got a 19.5 Glassply cuddy, about 4000# on the trailer and I swing a 21" stainless prop. With a light load I can reach 4400+ rpm at sea level, 4200rpm at 3000'. BTW get a real alternator for that engine. The stator system is terrible. Also, consider the weight penalty of an extra 200# of fuel. I sure feel the difference when running with a full tank! I've got 50gal and that's good for almost 200 miles. Jerry cans are cheap range extenders, too.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bow Tank in Cuddy Cabin?

Ben,<br />Are you planning a Trans-Atlantic Crossing ?????<br />40 gallons of gas, <br />Should be able to feed that 470 for Atleast a couple of Days....<br />Be Very Careful adding Weight that far Forward......