New gas tank

[stemar]

Can you please tell me if it's recomended to install a 70 gal gas tank to the front of my 17 feet speedboat. The reason is that there is no enough space at the back of the boat.<br />Thanks

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: New gas tank

That much fuel will definately affect the balance. I would set something in the boat that weighs the same as 70 gallons of fuel, with it centered where the tank would be.<br /><br />I'd then take a test drive and see how she handles.<br /><br />Naturally, strap down whatever you have in your boat, so you don't sink it if it shifts.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: New gas tank

Balance will be the main problem 70x7=490 lb. shift in balance.<br />What size fuel tank do you now have?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: New gas tank

What happened to the 25 gal tank you wanted to add? Did you try that or just want to go to a bigger one now?<br /><br />What brand of boat is it? Like I mentioned before, if it's a Hydrostream or something similar, bow weight will absolutly kill the performance. I would think that much weight in the bow of any 17 footer would have a bad effect on performance. Maybe we can come up with another option if we have more info.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[stemar]

Re: New gas tank

Thank you all for your replies.<br />The model of the boat is laser 17'. This is european model. I have a 75hp Mariner ELPTO.<br />The tank I have now is 25 litre and is at the back of the boat. It's too small. I can not install bigger at the back because there is no enough space. Oopppppssssss Sorry I just realise that it's not 70 gallons!!!! tank, it's a 70 litres tank (about 15 gallons)!!<br />So Does this change your answers now.<br />Thanks and sorry. Americans use gallons, inches, 110 v etc This make hard for us to convert.

 

[captsara]

Re: New gas tank

I HAVE FACED YOUR PROBLEM ONCE OR TWICE. THE THINGS I LOOK AT WHEN POSITIONING GASOLINE FUEL TANK ARE AS FOLLOWS.<br /><br />SHOULD IT BE ABOVE OR BELOW DECK?<br />IT MUST BE HAVE A VENT TO FRESH AIR, CAN NOT SHARE A SPACE WITH A BATTERY OR SWITCHES(ESPECIALY STARTER CILINOID) AND SHOULD HAVE CHOCKS OR BATTONS SCREWED, AND GLUED TO THE DECK SO THE BUGGER CANT SLIDE,A BUNGEE OR SOMETHING OVER THE TOP CANT HURT.<br />IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE IN YOUR COCKPIT, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER ADDING A SHORT BULKHEAD, INBOARD OF YOUR TRANSOM. ELIVATE THE FUEL TANK A BIT SO WHEN THE LIMBER HOLES YOU BUILD INTO YOUR NEW BULKHEAD GET CLOGGED, THE TANK WILL BE LESS LIKELY TO FLOAT AWAY. <br />THATS THE HARD WAY, BUT IT CAN BE A BENCH SEAT, OR SPLASHWELL AND GOOD WET STORAGE. BUILD OFF YOUR TRANSOM AND DON'T MAKE HARD SEEMS ON YOUR FREEBOARD,THE BOAT NEEDS TO FLEX.<br />I DON'T LIKE FUEL TANKS FORWARD. EVEN 15GL, UNLESS IT'S BELOW DECKS, WELL VENTILATED, HAS A DECK FILL, AND A BLOWER, MY HUMBLE OPINION IS...BAD IDEA. PLUS YOU GOT THAT MUCH MORE FUEL LINE TO CRACK, PINCH, OR KICK, NEED I GO ON.<br />IGLOO COOLERS MAKE GREAT STORAGE COMPARTMENTS,CENTERED LONG WAYS, EITHER PARELLEL OR PERPINDICULAR TO THE STERN, GOOD CHOCKS, INSIDE AND OUT, 5200 AND LAG BOLTS IF NEEDED,PLUMB YOUR VENT, AND FUEL LINES AND YOUR DONE. MG

 

[stemar]

Re: New gas tank

Thanks Maui<br />One more think. The tank will be stainless steel because the back side of the boat is too small and at the front there is limited space, thats why I will built the tank with a special dimensions.(there is no such dimensions in plastic tank). The tank is going to be under the fornt deck with seperate ventilation and a filler on the deck. I will make sure that I will tight the tank very hard. Is anything else you guys recomend me to do. <br />Thanks a lot again

 

[captsara]

Re: New gas tank

Sounds like your on it! I would love to do the same thing with my Avon RIB.