Islander fuel tank question

[trucktramp]

I have a 1975 Islander that has two fuel tanks mounted on both sides of the boat at the cabin bulkhead. The previous owner told me that he had never used the port side (smaller) tank so it should be flushed out before use. Do the two tanks (port and starboard) connect and then draw from a single fuel line? This way the fuel would equalize out on both sides and keep the boat from listing. If not, then do you have to change over to a different tank and where is the switch for that?

 

[Kainon]

Re: Islander fuel tank question

Welcome !!! Fellow Islander !!

I also had the 2 fuel tanks, mine were dual 18's steel and as they sat a while had some rust droplets form inside that caused major problems.

I went with a 40g belly tank, you can check out my site.

So yes, the tanks should lead to a single valve, which then goes to the fuel inlet on the fuel pump. You should also either have 2 fuel gauges or 2 gauge with a switch.

I had a manual fuel valve that I would draw from the right/starboard side first, then the port, and would have to watch the fuel level and change over when needed, this is one of the reasons I went with a single tank, I guess you could have 1 line draw from both, but you would still want individual shut offs incase of a problem.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Islander fuel tank question

I also have duel 16 or 18 gallong tanks, I forgot the exact size. Mine are mounted starboard and port, above the floor. I have a manual fuel switch valve, 2 gauges, then past the fuel valve I have a spin on fuel filter.
I cleaned both mine when I got the boat and they both had water in them, alum tanks so I resealed the gaskets at the top and reused the tanks. I figured the water might have been coming in through the vent because the vents where pointed down/forward (2 holes per vent). I pluged on of the two holes and kept the open hole pointed down so water spray would not go into the fuel vent line. So far 5 years later no trouble yet. I have run hundreds of gallons of fuel through both tanks.
I rotate between tanks and at the end of the season treat and fill.