How much fuel do you guys head out with?

[CaptainYARRR]

I normally run about half a tank. I decided to see how much fuel she could hold and I filled her up. I was convinced I left the drain plug out when I left the dock it felt so heavy. It makes sense since fuel is very heavy, but it was extremely noticeable. I have a EFI V8 pushing my 22' Monterey, so lack of torque isn't an issue.

I think half of a tank is the way to go for me.

What's your guys' thoughts?

 

[mphy98]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I always head out full, just in case. We fish up in Canada so we never know where we might end up ont the lake. It is 60 miles long so I want as much fuel as possible.

 

[Thad]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I always top off the tank. Just an old habit I suppose.
My boat holds 50 gal of fuel and I avg. 19 gal of useage a day.
You know the fuel is there for sure. I loose 5-6 mph with a full tank, but have never felt it so heavy that I was worried.
Now, I get another couple, their kids, and all of that extra gear in her, I change my prop out to a lower pitch to compensate.
That may be what you are feeling. For instance, I run a 25p with just my family and gear. Depending on who else will be going I will drop to a 23p or a 21p to push the weight.
Hope that helps ya out a little.

 

[Thad]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I always top off the tank. Just an old habit I suppose.
My boat holds 50 gal of fuel and I avg. 19 gal of useage a day.
You know the fuel is there for sure. I loose 5-6 mph with a full tank, but have never felt it so heavy that I was worried.
Now, I get another couple, their kids, and all of that extra gear in her, I change my prop out to a lower pitch to compensate.
That may be what you are feeling. For instance, I run a 25p with just my family and gear. Depending on who else will be going I will drop to a 23p or a 21p to push the weight.
Also, my fuel useage goes up a lot, so I need that full tank.
Hope that helps ya out a little.

 

[BamaAlum97]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I rarely will head out with less than half a tank. I typically go ahead and fill up on my way out. The lake I boat at isn't really that big, I just prefer to be more safe than sorry...

 

[Nandy]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

95 percent of the time I go full tanks. In days where i know all we are going to do is swim I could then go with half a tank, but never less than that.

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

Seems like it depends on where you boat. Most of my boating is done on the Ohio River. . .so I almost always top off the tank. I could spend the day puttering around in my local pool, or zip through a lock or two and head downtown, change rivers, visit other states. Nice to have the option!

 

[AZSenza]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

Full Tank, better to have it and not need it that not have it and need it!!!Kind of like something else I always have...

 

[dingbat]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I normally leave the aux tank empty but refill the main tank (92 gallons) when it gets down to half a tank.

If heading offshore fishing or fishing a 2-3 day tournament I?ll fill the auxiliary tank (47 gallons) as well. The extra 1100 lbs slows me down a bit but I?ll have fuel if I need it.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

when we go to the Chesapeake bay i always top off the 100 gallon fuel tank

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

Usually about 3/4 - no sense in pushing around all the extra weight..

 

[skargo]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I boat the Chesapeake so I fill up every time. I have a 60 gallon tank.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

How much fuel do you guys head out with?

Ayuh,... I keep both my tanks Full,... Year 'round.... No Condensation that way...

 

[redone4x4]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I have a 33 gal tank,and I top it off on the way to the lake every time. I like knowing that fuel is not an issue. 1/3 there, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve. I usually have waaay more reserve than that though. Sometimes we go out for 2 days at a time, in which case a full tank is perfect, still have half a tank left usually.

 

[n2ostroker]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

It's amazing how much you can go through i a day or 2 playing around. I fill up on the road on the way. That way I don't run out and use crappy overpriced old marina fuel. If running around I'll burn 15-20 gal/day. I don't like being towed...

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

Full tanks, which equates to more than four hours range at a constant cruise speed. In everyday use, which doesn't involve constant cruising during the entire outing, my range is considerably more than that.

 

[dave11]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

When it gets doown to 1/2, I fill it up.

 

[109jb]

Re: How much fuel do you guys head out with?

I generally never run below 1/4. I don;t really have a set amount that I start with, I just judge what I will be doing and how much I need. I may lose a few knots in speed, and have a little slower time to plane, but my outboard powered boat is near the max HP so it isn't a big deal as I have plenty of performance.