fuel filling the boat

[dlogvine]

It might sound like a stupid question but i wonder how can i determine how full is my tank during the fuel filling. And also i get fuel splashing from the little nozzle on the transom while the tank is not full, is it the indicator that the tank is full?

 

[tpenfield]

I can speak from my own experience . . . when I get fuel, I usually have a good idea as to how much fuel is in the tank (via the gauge) and therefore know how much I want to get (assuming you know the capacity of the tank). I find that it is not a good idea to fill the tank all the way, because you tend to get fuel 'burping' up the vent line or even back up the fill hose. So the fuel spitting that you are seeing is probably that the tank is near full, and maybe best not to fill it that much.

folks are used to filling tanks due to their automobile experience filling tanks. Marine tanks are different and it is best to know how much fuel is in the tank and plan to stop short of filling it. . . . maybe 3/4 or 7/8 of a tank instead of full.

I never fill my tank, because I am not allowed to carry that much money

 

[dlogvine]

thx ted, im trying to do the same but since Ive got this boat recently and not sure how big is a tank or how accurate the fuel gauge is, im trying to experimentally determine the fuel consumption and relation of the fuel gauge reading to actual fuel level.

 

[Grub54891]

Some boats you have to fill really slow to stop them from burping back, even when not full. The way the hoses run on some don't allow fuel to flow easily.

 

[Silvertip]

If you are filling with the boat on a trailer the bow may be sitting relatively high. If you are filling at a marina the boat may be sitting more level. Either way, the fuel gauge is not a good way to determine fuel consumption. You need to do that by filling in whatever manner you wish. You then cover a "known" distance and by that I mean "accurately" as with a GPS knowing your average speed over that distance. You then fill again at the same location. Only then can you get a good indication of fuel consumption. Note that the gauge is not even required for this. You simply use the fuel used and distance traveled. Also understand that that figure will be accurate only for the speed you ran during the test. The longer the test trip, the more accurate the figures will be.

 

[thumpar]

I have started to go by ear. I can usually tell when it is about full by the sound. It doesn't take long to get used to your boat..

 

[cptrick3]

Next time your fuel gauge says 1/2, stick the tank and you'll get a good idea on how accurate the gauge is.