Fuel Tanks?

[captdave311]

Greetings,<br /><br />I purchased my first boat last fall...well, here it is, spring time in the rockies (which invariably means 80 degree days in April) and my attention is turning back to the boat! There are several items that need to be addressed before I'm out playing on the water, probably the first and foremost is a fuel tank! <br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't have direct access to the boat (it's being stored about 130 miles away, but hey, it's free!), so I can't tell you specifics on the motor. However, I have included a link in this post to a few pics (click here). If the motor model is critical to the answer, I can dig up the information (you just need to request it)!<br /><br />Basically, do I need to be looking for a specific style of fuel tank (does 2 stroke vs. 4 stroke matter)? <br /><br />Any help my fellow mariners can provide would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tommays]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

how much space do you have ? i allways did Ok with two 6 gallon portable tanks <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Hi Dave<br /><br />No difference in 2-stroke 4-stroke tanks I would assume you are talking about portable ones. Walmart has the portable 6 gallon jobs that work fine. Get a new fuel line, fittings and primer bulb while you're at it to avoid problems down the road. I hope this is what you're looking for, as the question is not real specific...<br /><br />BTW-Nice Boat!!

 

[captdave311]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Tommays & Rick,<br /><br />Thanks for the quick feedback! I think I will take your advice and head to the local Walmart. I'm thinking dual portable 6 gallon tanks should work just fine (I'm not sure of the dimensions where the tank(s) should be stashed)! <br /><br />Rick, you answered my question and then some (thanks for the advice on the new parts). Also, thanks for the compliment! I picked the boat up from craigslist.org for $300 (it was pretty easy to convince the wife at that price)! After a little sleuthing, I found a guy who has the 1972 Chrysler boat catalog (whereby I found out it's a Chrysler Courrier 154...see Here).<br /><br />Do either of you guys recommend any particular place (online or in store) for buying accessories/parts (i.e. fuel lines, primer bulbs, etc...)?<br />Thanks again for the help!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Really, I'm a believer that you should buy at least the primer bulb form the dealer. They are about $8.00 there and are worth every penny. Too many problems with the Tempo(Generic)ones. Other than that, iboats here sells all kinds of parts and they are reputable people. Fast delivery, too....<br /><br />I think you did good on the boat..... BTW- I'll be right outside of Denver Friday. Going to see the kids....Hope the weather holds

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Funny - the catalogue pics don't show a fuel filler - but you can't see portable tanks there either. Those portable tanks vent into the atmosphere - if you're putting 'em into a closed compartment fumes will accumulate. Coast guard has ventilation guidelines for boat builders that you might want to consider - see p. 30 of this document.<br /><br />The tanks come without the fitting ($2 or $3) - sold separately because it's engine-specific.<br /><br />did you say $300? day-um!

 

[captdave311]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Jtex,<br /><br />I wasn't even thinking about the possibility of vapors building up (and where I envisioned placing the tanks, vapors would've indeed built up)! When I have some time, I'll browse through the USCG document, however, do you have any quick solutions to the problem of vapor build up in a semi-enclosed place?

 

[tommays]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

if they look at your pictures they will see you have an open 17 ft outboard trihull with no place to build up fumes <br /><br />i had a sportcraft just like it and the only place to keep the tanks was in the stern 1 port and 1 starbord<br /><br />tommays

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Minimize the amount of space for fumes - if the tank(s) don't fill it completely maybe put some stuff in there with 'em. I wouldn't put 'em in the same compartment with the battery. Make sure fumes can't get to a potential source of spark like a battery or bilge pump or fuse box. Best if there's no wiring running through there. All unlikely to cause a problem, but it'd sure turn an inconvenience into a real emergency. Warn any smokers on board to stay away from that area.<br /><br />Make sure you got a couple fire extinguishers handy, just in case - probably a legal requirement anyway.<br /><br />Setting 'em out on the deck is mostly just an inconvenience to passengers and an eyesore - but it would be a workable solution.<br /><br />Unless you're really taking it easy on the throttle, six gallons probably won't get you through the day - twelve probably will - unless you're really going hard. I bet your consumption at full throttle is more than double the 3/4 throttle.

 

[captdave311]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

thanks guys for the feedback! I think the next step is to stop asking questions and start buying fuel tanks (and accessories)! The place I plan on putting the tanks is not completely enclosed (and is indeed with the battery), so it sounds like my risk for vapor build up is low. That being said, I will make sure to heed your guys' advice in getting them set up! <br /><br />I've done some preliminary research on the motor (which I think is a Evinrude Starflite 50hp)...there's a post in one section of iboats where someone says that particular motor will burn 12gph (which I assume is full throttle)...yikes! I guess time will tell...<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

I believe you will get better milage than that. My toon only burns 6 Gallons an hour with a 70HP Rude on the back. Once again, don't put a fuel tank in where the battery is unless it's completely open area, like the deck of the boat. Not a good combo when enclosed at all....

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

I agree about the GPH: I don't think your Evvy 50 will burn 12 - more like 5-6. I don't think you'll even burn 12 at wide open throttle (WOT). I had an Evinrude 70 which my rule of thumb was 1 tank per hour, at cruise. <br /><br />That looks like a HECK of a lot of fun per dollar at $300 if it runs! Did you get the trailer at that price? Looks like a blast.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Re: where to put the 6 gallon fuel tanks - if I'm not mistaken, there's a "compartment" back at the transom - covered on top by the splash well, but no doors, so it's really just an open, but covered space? I believe that is where the tanks are intended to go and my personal opinion is that vapors won't build up in an open space like that. If you don't put the tanks there - wouldn't they literally be under the feet of the rear passengers? I could be all wrong on this, but I believe the boat is designed to put the tanks back there.

 

[captdave311]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Rick & D-<br /><br /><br />Thanks for the encouraging words (doing the math in my head...gallons/hour multiplied by the prediction of $3/gallon this summer)! Glad to hear some of you are experiencing (and reporting) better number than what I found here. <br /><br />I'm hopeful that the $300 will last me a few years! The price included the trailer as well (it's a tilt trailer). I figure even if I get the boat in the water and she sinks, I'll have had a hell of a time and a good story (plus maybe even a little resale value in the trailer)! <br /><br />The splash well is exactly where I'd like to place the tanks. Without remembering how much space is back there, I'm hoping there's enough room for 2 tanks on one side and the battery on the other (I do know the battery is currently located in this well). I will make sure that I don't wind up blowing myself up this summer!

 

[captdave311]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

Also, for grins, here's a link to the Chrysler's entire 1972 catalog. It's good for killin' some time!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Fuel Tanks?

had similar boat. gas tank on each side of the motor well and battery in the center, with bilge pumpw/float switch behind battery. worked great. keep you battery connections clean and tight. you will have no problems. that's a great old motor. TLC, and regular maint. and it will serve for a long time. i'm still running a 1955 15hp rude. by the way welcome to iboats. if it has not been run in a long time, do the search "awakening a sleeping outboard". after thought, besure to use telfon tape on the gas line fitting for your new tanks, cuts down on air leaks in the fuel system.