Fuel Tank Location

[Showtimes2]

I am rebuilding a 1974 SeaRay SRV190. It is 18ft and has a 351w with M&W twin turbos. I am deleting one battery, and 20ft of heavy cable, and moving the other battery to the rear on the port side. Should I put the new tank in the bow where the old one was or put it below the deck where the ski locker was while it is torn out? It is 32 gallons so if I keep that size it will be just over 200lbs full. I am concerned with balance and getting on plane. It may pull a skier occasionally but I mainly want to see how fast this thing will go! I will be adding power steering and tabs of some kind. I am open to suggestions, thanks!

 

[rykersdad1]

Re: Fuel Tank Location

An 18' boat with a 351w and twin turbos? Holy Crap that thing is going to fly. i would thing some weight in the front could be useful. i am no expert but i have seen a few overpowered jon boats without any weight in the front and they "hopped" across the water. Obviously that is comparing apples and oranges but its just my minor bit of knowledge. good luck on that and be safe.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Fuel Tank Location

Too much weight too far forward causes porpoising too. The excess weight driving the bow down into the water & the hull's buoyancy pushing it back up, often so much so that the outdrive's trim won't level it out to a smooth plane....

Did you ever find the outdrive to mate up to the 351W beast? An Alpha1, like Bond-O suggested?

All while working the outdrive/transom & connection to the motor w the constant stress of loading & unloading as the bow porpoises...

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Fuel Tank Location

I am looking at moving my tank from the bow to the belly. Most drag boat guys move the tank as far back as possible as it helps get up on plan as fast as possible but then they have a ton of horsepower and looks like you will too. A bow tank helps with the ride especially in rougher water. If you put it below deck I would mount it midship for weight balance and best of both worlds.

 

[Showtimes2]

Re: Fuel Tank Location

I'm looking for a donor boat with a 1.50 alpha and power steering since I am converting. I found someone with an identical boat and engine/turbos and he said that the torque steer was pretty bad. A couple of people have told me that I should raise the x dimension since I am starting with a new transom. Hmmm more to think about. And if I put the tank under the deck it will be fairly centered in the boat and much lower since the original tank was on a platform just under the cap.