Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

[fishingdan]

My new project boat has two 28 gallon fuel cells, but one engine. What is the advantage of this? If one gets bad fuel, the other probably will as well since one is usually filling them at the same time from the same pump.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

If 1 gets you To the fishing grounds,....<br />The other will take you Home,.......<br /><br />I Wouldn't Own a single tanked hull,...........<br /><br />I run on 1 tank til Empty,+ Switch Then,.......<br />That way I know it's Time to Gas Up...........<br /><br />The hull I'm restoring now, had a Single 50gal. tank,.....<br />I Hope to end up with 2, 30s.........Or Bigger................

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

Hey Dan, bounce this thought around. Your point is right if you fill up both tanks at the same time and pump. But if you fill each tank at two different locations and then switch which tank you use each trip out you won't ever be running on the same fuel source. Just make sure when you switch tanks to always do it before the primary use tank you're using is empty just in case the second tank fuel is bad you can still go back to the reserve left in the first tank.

 

[flashback]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

lots of good thoughts here.. in addition, depending on the design of the boat, it may use two tanks to help balance the weight of the fuel so as to keep the boat trim..

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

I wish I could fit two tanks in my little boat. I can't even get one tank underneath my spashwell very easily. With only one tank, if you misjudge where the halfway point is, you may find those paddles useful on the way back. I usually carry a second tank in the passenger compartment just in case.<br /><br />On larger boats like your new one Dan, the second tank can extend your travelling distance two-fold. Depending on where you boat, filling up may be a huge issue and time consuming event. More fuel = more fun on the water.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

The right fuel use is---- 1/3 out ---------2/3 back -----due to high winds and strong current. I KNOW this is close on windy days. Don't always count on luck. She does not play nice.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

Originally posted by flashback:<br /> lots of good thoughts here.. in addition, depending on the design of the boat, it may use two tanks to help balance the weight of the fuel so as to keep the boat trim..

That is right. You need that sometimes to help with the chinwalk.<br />My Gambler has to have the passenger side livewell full if it's just me, empty if I have anyone with me.<br />Same way with split fuel tanks.

 

[QC]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

Originally posted by SBN:<br /> My Gambler has to have the passenger side livewell full if it's just me, empty if I have anyone with me.<br />Same way with split fuel tanks.

This is the reason I believe that adjustable trim tabs should be standard on every V-hull boat. I understand the benefits of SmartTabs, but they can't help you with this.<br /><br />Personally I like a four-way tank valve with twin tank installs. Port, Starboard, Both or Off. My boat still only pulls from one tank when on the "both" setting, I think the current issue is the anit-syphon valves causing less resistance from one side. Hoses are the same length.<br /><br />Yes, I understand the fuel isolation benefits. I prefer my boat to be balanced even with the trim tabs. Feels safer to me when she doesn't favor a turn either direction . . .

 

[TimMattson]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

Motors usually burn 10% of their Hp output PER HOUR.....100 hp should consume roughly up to 10 GPH at WOT, 1-3 gph at idle depending on motor type.<br /> 56 Gallons weighs 300+ lbs... so I guess you have at least a 150 hp if not an Inboard or?<br /> Tim M<br /> ps I carry 40G for my 70hp and fill it only when needed for ballast or longer trips.I keep a small 3 gallon reserve that can get me home or be handed to another boat so they can get themselves off the beach or back to the dock.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Why dual fuel tanks with a single engine?

if your concerned with bad gas than a good set of fuel filters with reuseable replacement filters is cheep insurance,,check your o rings on your gas cap and only buy gas from one station ,,one that services a lot of boats,,bad gas gets around fast and a station wont do well with a rep of bad gas