One Fuel Tank or Two?

[drivadesl]

I've got a 14' Starcraft Patriot, this is basically an open V style, with factory floor in which I've added pedestal seats. THis week I bought a 1975 Evinrude 15hp to use on the smaller lakes. Maybe some day I will upgrade that to a 30hp, add a console, and inboard fuel tanks.. For now I want to get portable fuel tank for it and was wondering is it better to go with a single 6 gallon mounted along the center line at the transom, or maybe two smaller tanks, mounted on the port and starboard sides of the transom. Thought maybe would get better balance, that way. OF course as one emptys than there goes the balance. Suppose I could then shift the full one to the center.... Or does it even matter.

Second question is how much fuel to carry is 6 enough? Looking for any opinions on this and balancing the load on smaller boats like this one. Thanks!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: One Fuel Tank or Two?

On a 14' aluminum boat I'd recommend putting the fuel tank in the bow. You'll need the weight!!!

 

[steelespike]

Re: One Fuel Tank or Two?

The 15 will use about 1.5 gph(gallons per hour) at wot(wide open throttle) so thats about 4 hours on a 6 gal. tank.I would think that would be plenty.
If your worried about balance for to aft is likely more problem than port/starboard.
If the tank is at the stern it will likely slow hole shot and tend to be light in the bow.
As wglass suggests if alone the tank is better in the bow.
One plus with 2 smaller tanks when one empties you can take it for a refill and you still have the other with gas in it. With the 6 gal. when you get down to a 1/2 or 1/4 you need to fill and have to drag a 1/2 empty 6 gal. home or to the gas stsation.Of course if you use the marina
for gas its probably a moot point.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: One Fuel Tank or Two?

my bet with this size boat he''ll be dragging the whole thing home every trip.... gas up on the way to the lake.... don't fill the tank all the way to the top so that you can shake it a bit to mix in the oil...

I say a single 6 in the front would be the way to go

 

[truckermatt]

Re: One Fuel Tank or Two?

I had a 15.5 foot fiberglass (picture below) with a 85hp johnson and i kept three 6 gallon portable tanks .. so i depends on how far you go I only used 2 at the most (skiing and tubing all day.)

 

[drivadesl]

Re: One Fuel Tank or Two?

Didn't know a bow tank existed till now!:redface: Learn sumptin new every day! Thats an interesting idea, my initial thought that with the anchor storage up front plus a bow trolling motor, plus all the other junk like towels and coolers that seem to accumulate, thatg the bow might be a little crowded. Also need to consider holding it down, don't want the tank flying towards me the first time I gun it.

Still I might go that route its worth trying out since I really like the idea of balancing the weight forward since the aft has me . I'm going on a camp weekend in July so will be testing out the fuel capacity, figure I'll carry 6gals on the boat, and bring another 6 in a can, that should get me through three days of boating I would think. DOn't plan on going WOT much though may try pulling a kid on a tube a little bit. Second thought maybe I;ll bring 12 extra just in case. Thanks for the replies, I'm going to think about this a little. Maybe go 6 on the bow, and three in the aft.....