Fuel Tank Size

[73Steury]

I'm halfway through a restore of a 73 Steury tri-hull. It's a 17 foot boat with a 135 horse Mercury tower of power inline 6. The guy I bought it from had a 6 gallon fuel tank which he would frequently run out of gas so he would carry a gas can in the boat. Can any one tell me what fuel tank size is a good fit for my application. Thanks.

 

[DALLEN7]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

are you using a permanent tank or a portable tank? Mine is a near 20 gal. under deck permanent tank i have not used it yet but i believe it will be plenty I am running a 135 evenrude. I am in the process of a restore also.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

What are you planning on using it for? we have a 17' with a merc 150, and have a 35 gallon in deck tank, which lasts about a full day and a half of watersport duty's...

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

I have a 115 tower on my 16', they like lots of go juice! I used two 6 gallon tanks last season, but I'm moving to a 12 gallon built in tank. I actually spent today working on a mock-up of the tank, having it custom built ($300 worth!) I would have a bigger one if I could, but the 12 gallons isn't bad for my application. If you are going to spend all day pulling skiers I would go with the biggest one you can.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

I'm halfway through a restore of a 73 Steury tri-hull. It's a 17 foot boat with a 135 horse Mercury tower of power inline 6. The guy I bought it from had a 6 gallon fuel tank which he would frequently run out of gas so he would carry a gas can in the boat. Can any one tell me what fuel tank size is a good fit for my application. Thanks.

You're in New BEdford MA, are you taking it outside into the salt ?
If so I'd want a lot of fuel.
I have 150hp and 60 gals fuel.

 

[73Steury]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

This boat will be used for fishing duties in salt. It's a small tri-hull so I don't anticipate going to far out in the chop. With this garbage gas I'm concerned with keeping too much gas and then going bad even with stabilizer.

 

[73Steury]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

The tank(s) will be removable and above the deck. Was considering 2 tanks 1 on each side of the bilge area.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

they should fit nicely, but make sure you stay away from alcohol based gas, the older Mercs don't like that at all!

 

[Tim Wagner]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

Id put the biggest tank I could fit.
At least 20 gallons.
Refueling sux the big wazoo!!

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

I
Refueling sux the big wazoo!!

Running out of fuel sucks a bigger wazoo!

;-)

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fuel Tank Size

hehehe, I'd rather bring 10 gals home to go sour than get caught 5 gals short, specially in the salt.