Fuel Tank Question

[brad614]

My new to me 1999 Carver Mariner 350 has two fuel tanks for a total of 246 gallons. After filling them both yesterday and coming from Ft. Lauderdale to Islamorada, one tank is below quarter, the other is still hovering around half. Are these like trucks with dual tanks - when one runs out it automatically switches to the other? Or does each tank run one engine? Our next stop is taking Yacht Channel up the west coast and I don't want to run out of fuel!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel Tank Question

I'm not a big boat owner but I read something along these lines from local charter guys. I think you can rig them many ways, including to stay level. But with fuel problems being a big risk, some like to be able to isolate them.
If they "drain" in series, it affects your weight/trim of the boat. I remember a friend pumping fuel from one to the other one morning during an overnight on his 46.
I would doubt each tank would run one engine, especially since they did not drop evenly.
There's some wisdom to not running them dry since the funky stuff is on the bottom.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel Tank Question

sometimes duel fuel tanks and dual engines have totally separate fuel systems. I would doubt your systems would switch over automatically. You need to look and see what you have. BTW fuel gauges are often inaccuarate.

 

[brad614]

Re: Fuel Tank Question

Turns out that each gas engine draws off of it's own tank. The good news is each of them are burning almost exactly the same amount of fuel.