Gas Tanks

[willisballs]

Is there any benfits to having an on-board/permanent gas tank 18gal. versus just using portables....we have a permanent tank that is rough, would cost a little to repair, so we are debating buying a new one around $100, or should we just use (say 3) portable tanks instead..... thanks a lot...

 

[DJ]

Re: Gas Tanks

Can't beat it (permanent) for convenience. <br /><br />Get yourself a fuel/oil calculator cylinder for mixing the fuel. They are available at most boat stores.

 

[Backlash]

Re: Gas Tanks

It's a matter of convenience. The permanent tank is out of the way and you don't have to keep changing the fuel line. $100 isn't much when compared with buying three portable tanks.<br />Backlash

 

[mulv80]

Re: Gas Tanks

I agree with Backlash, If the permanent tank is easy to replace go ahead and spend the $100. The quality portables are not cheap. I think the only reason most people use the portables besides having a small boat is because to repalce their permanent tank its to much work. just be careful if you have to do any cutting to get the old tank out, a couple of sparks and those gas vapors can ignite.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Gas Tanks

May not be a problem in your area, but sometimes where we are theres no gas near the water, so if we are running a lot or skiing etc. and need more gas its either load the boat on the trailer and haul it to the nearest gas station or carry around a bunch of 5 gallon cans. Sometimes its just easier to haul the portables to the station, throw em in the boat when we get back and go.

 

[JB]

Re: Gas Tanks

Moving to General Outboard.

 

[briannh1234]

Re: Gas Tanks

As ddaigle said, the portable tanks are great when you are on a lake or river without a boat accessible gas station. That is the situation on all the lakes and rivers I boat on so I run portable tanks.<br /><br />The downside, at least with my motor, is that it leads to a situation when you run a tank out of gas. With multiple carb engines, one of the carb's will run out of gas (and oil) before the others. And if you are a WOT when this happens - it can lead to piston problems. I think this is the main reason that my motors only last a season or two.<br /><br />Smart drivers will back off the gas when you start to run out. But I like to let other people drive (while I waterski) and not all of them seem to understand why they have to kill the engine as soon as it run's out.<br /><br />Even with a built in tank this can be a problem. But it will occur less often with a bigger tank. (In your case every 18 gal instead of every 6).<br /><br />I have bought 2 plastic 6 gal tanks (cheap) and have not had any problems with the tanks themselves.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Gas Tanks

I strongly recommend replacing the built in tank. I REALLY wish my CV-16 had a built in tank. I hate carrying around all the portable tanks I have. They're allways a pain in the *** to lift into the boat too. And then you gotta think about space...where are you going to put them? Are they going to get in the way of a cooler or something? Also, with 3 tanks you'll have to keep switching them, and as briannh1234 said, you've got a much higher chance/frequency of running the engine dry.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Gas Tanks

The first boat I had I had two carry on tanks, I hooked them to an electric switch so I could change them on the run, but they were under the back of the transome and I hated taking them out and putting them back in, all the other three boats Ive had have been built in tanks and I like that Idea the best, However, if you ever get a little water in there it can really be a pain to remove and clean the tank. I still vote built in tank.

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Gas Tanks

Is one of the larger portable tanks an option? I have a 12 gal. in my boat that just fits under my splashwellbut takes up less room than 2-6's. IF I have to I can still pull it out to fill it elsewere. Would have an 18 gal if it would fit. Actually the 12 still leaves room for a 3 gal (and maybe even a 6) beside it which I use for my kicker/reserve.

 

[randycc58]

Re: Gas Tanks

there are pro's and con's to perm. tank vs: portable. Number 1 to consider is how often does your boat sit up before you go out again? The reason I ask is, you have to consider the condensation inside the tank, leads to water in your gas. you also have to vent the tank. As temp outside changes it will cause your tank to draw in moisture from outside air, which will turn to water in the gas, especially if its not full all the time. A water fuel seperator can take care of some of it. Although some screens will trap water at the inlet, inside of the tank. I had all these troubles at first. But in the long run It was worth the change for me. I try to keep the tanks mostly full, and go out often.<br />Randycc58

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Gas Tanks

I had a steel 12 gallon that just gave up the ghost and I ordered a 19 gallon poly tank, $127 shipped, that fits in the same space (there is plenty of room). My permanent tank location is port side above the floor next to splashwell. I always carried a 6 gallon portable in the space on the starboard side of the splashwell. Now I can skip carrying that portable unless I really want some serious range, then I can toss it back in. The good thing about running just portables is if you know it will be a short trip, you can run just one portable and save the weight hence getting better economy.<br /><br />I ordered mine from Overtons.com (yes I did check here, didn't have what I needed). The Moeller tanks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, I can bet you can find one to fit and give you more capacity. Good luck....

 

[BillP]

Re: Gas Tanks

It depends on the boat size to me. On a boat that needs a 50 gal tank I'd do permanent. On my 17'ob trailer boat I removed the 35 gal permanent tank and replaced it with portable 6 gal tanks. It's more convenient to me and easier to judge how much reserve fuel is available. Most gas gauges I've had aren't to accurate near the bottom.<br />My 20 pontoon boat has a 30 gal permanent tank and I carry a 3 gal portable tank for reserve. If the tank ever goes bad I'll do portables on it too.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Gas Tanks

Thats a good point about the gas guage. I set mine up so when the guage reads empty, there is still a couple gallons in there, sort of like a reserve. That way I won't stress as much.

 

[agrazela]

Re: Gas Tanks

I keep two 6 gal portables on my boat...this way when tank #1 runs out, I know it is time to hook up tank #2, turn around and head back to port.

 

[cjones4@hvc.rr.com]

Re: Gas Tanks

agrazela <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />I keep two 6 gal portables on my boat...this way when tank #1 runs out, I know it is time to hook up tank #2, turn around and head back to port.

Hope the wind and tide is with you on the return. Better to use the 1/3 rule.<br /><br />1/3 out, 1/3 return, 1/3 reserve

 

[NBE]

Re: Gas Tanks

This is from my post in another section which hasn't had any response yet: I have three 6 gallon tanks, two under a seat and one under the motor at the transom. The boat came with two portables so I bought a third. I want to be able to switch between these tanks without having raise the seat and swap the hose, or in case of the transom tank, swap it out with one of the empty tanks under the seat. I guess I need to have some kind of a fuel tank selector valve, but have not had much success searching for one. LubeDude indicated in his post that he used something similiar to what I need. Probably might be hard to find one that will swap three tanks though. Does anyone have any ideas or info on where to find a tank selector valve or how I can set up to swap these tanks as described above? Thanks! <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Gas Tanks

Brad,<br /><br />This will do it...<br /><br /> web page <br /><br />Or tag the 2 tanks under the seat together and use a 3-way valve to use the other tank.<br /><br /> Like this one

 

[NBE]

Re: Gas Tanks

Thanks Rick! That first link led me to a 4-way valve which is exactly what I need. I could have sworn I checked the iboats site but maybe just missed it. Regardless, I found what I need and am ordering it. Thanks again for the help!

 

[agrazela]

Re: Gas Tanks

Good point about the 1/3 rule:<br /><br />

Hope the wind and tide is with you on the return. Better to use the 1/3 rule.<br /><br />1/3 out, 1/3 return, 1/3 reserve

I should mention that all my boating (so far) is done on San Diego Bay or small local lakes, so the 1/2 and 1/2 rule has done me OK...I should also mention that I do have a third, 1-gallon "emergency reserve" on board.<br /><br />Once I get the guts (and a decent emergency kicker) to go offshore to the kelp beds, I will probably get a third 6-gallon portable.