Question about 12 gallon fuel tanks

[Jeff]

Hi all, I have a question for those of you with 12 gallon fuel tanks. When I bought my M way back in 2006 my local Suzuki dealer could only get ahold of 7.5 gallon tanks. I put those in & they have served me well for years. Mainly I sail more than I motor, however when the kids were small I pulled them on tubes & 15 gallons just didn’t last long. Plus there are times particularly when on the Beer Cruise in Pensacola when I’m on the boat for 5 days & hate having to look for fuel. Mainly I sail there as well but there are times when I really use the motor a lot, running from storms for instance or racing to catch the fleet when I’ve slept too late & have fallen behind. So having 24 gallons appeals to me. Anyway, my local West Marine recently reopened so I was buying new batteries when to my surprise I saw the old original low profile 12 gallon Moeller tanks in stock. I bought two. Now to my question. See my attached pics. The Moeller tanks leave me the same foot room in cockpit floor but they fill in the curved cut out in the seats that cover the tanks. To those that have these tanks do you find that you miss the curved space when moving around the pedestal? Also from a cleanliness appearance I like the way my old tanks can’t really be seen. It just looks nicer in my opinion than the red peeking out in that curved cut out. One thing I do like about the new tanks is that the fuel line port rotates 360 degrees so it makes my valves easier to attach and access. (Years ago I had my motor dealer cut holes in the locker big enough for fuel lines & T’d the tanks together with separate open shut valves so the fuel line was not always underfoot, plus I can run on one or both tanks simultaneously). So what are your thoughts? It’s my vanity but is the loss of the curved cut out space & the ugly red showing worth it for longer motoring range? Thanks in advance for your input.

[Herschel]

Well, I am no stranger to the concept of "be careful what you pray for, you might get it" and the adjustment that comes from actually getting it. First, I suggest that that "ugly red" won't look so ugly when you actually get to enjoy the extended cruising range. It might even become "pretty"! Secondly, I think nearly all of our mods carry the consequence of having made a change. Case in point: I was unhappy with the soft, thin foam rubber in the OEM V-berth, so I went to an upholsterer and had thicker V-berth cushions made. They are nice, firmer, and offer better sleeping support. BUT, they don't allow me to fit my feet under the anchor locker area as easily. So, now I am planning a berth extender to give me a little more sleeping area. Trade offs often generate new issues. I think that is just a part of progress. Hope this helps you to stop "seeing red" quite so strongly.

[Tomfoolery]

I'm a 'form follows function' kind of guy, so I'd go with the larger tanks. The red will become invisible after a while, like anything when you've looked at it for long enough, but the extra range is there to use forever.

I think after a while the balance between perceived aesthetics versus function will be tilted the other way enough that you would recoil in horror at the thought of losing that extra 9 gallons of liquid luxury. Heck, that extra capacity is 3/4 of my total capacity. Yowzah!

[Russ]

I've never given it any thought about seeing them as my 12gal tanks have always been there and they don't get in the way.

You could buy (or even make) covers for them. BWY has these Sunbrella locker covers.
http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2501-1x0.htm


I'm curious about how your fuel lines are routed. You say you have holes cut in the lockers. I assume (and hope) they don't travel into the cabin in any way. That would be dangerous.
My dealer was BWY and they installed quick disconnect to the fuel line and it simply routes straight back. I can switch it easily.

[Jeff]

All, thanks for the input. Herschel, yes you are right all mods have trade offs & I may have had a little buyer’s remorse. They weren’t cheap LOL. I’ll just have to get used to the red. Hope your berth extender mod works well for you.

Tomfoolery you’re right I think I will really enjoy the extra range. One of my goals is to someday soon sail/motor my boat from my home port on the Tennessee River to the gulf coast via the Tenn Tombigbee waterway. There are some really long stretches of that with no fuel. So the extra will be a big help.

Russ, thanks for the info about the 12 gal tanks not being in the way. That’s reassuring. Plus thanks for the link to the locker covers. I had seen those a long time ago but had totally forgotten. Also regarding my fuel lines, yes they do run inside the cabin under the rear berth in the rear bilge area is where my T is located. Then line to the motor goes out the boot. I prefer this because I never have to switch the line simply open or close a valve on the tanks or leave both valves open & there is no danger of someone tripping over it when boarding from the swim ladder. I do greatly appreciate your safety concerns, but I am comfortable with the risk level. The lines are protected, there is nothing for them to chafe on & they are protected from UV. All threads on the T are sealed with gasoline safe thread sealer & it has worked well with no leaks for many years. I will tell you I asked an older gentleman at my marina his advice before I did that mod, because I did consider the risk. He said “come here & look at my boat”. His Catalina 27 had an Atomic 4 gas engine right inside the cabin on the port side, before that he had a Morgan 34 with the same gas engine inside the cabin area. Also many modern cabin powerboats have the same design, a gas engine with access right from inside the cabin & fuel lines inside. I think I just hijacked my own thread LOL, but just wanted to let you know that I do appreciate your concern & let you know I addressed those same concerns myself.

[Brian]

I like having storage in the cockpit so I would probably keep a 12 gallon tank on one side, and a smaller tank on the other so that you can store misc items like a helm cover and a small drink cooler. I have one 12 gallon tank and four six gallon tanks. The 12 gallon tank has been in my shed for a couple of years now. I usually have three of the six gallon tanks on board. If I need an extra tank I have two of them in my shed. I like the smaller tanks because when one becomes empty I take it with me and fill it up with ethanol free gasoline at the gas station. I paid $1.86 per gallon last weekend as opposed to $4 - $5 per gallon for ethanol at a marina. We usually go through about 6 gallons of gas per week since we use the boat a lot. If I were to take open ocean trips like boat does I would spring for the big expensive steel tanks from BW Yachts. You can always switch the portable tanks around to suit your needs.

[Jeff]

“ I like having storage in the cockpit so I would probably keep a 12 gallon tank on one side, and a smaller tank on the other so that you can store misc items ”

Brian, that’s a very valid point! Darn it! You just reminded me that the fuel locker next to my smaller tanks is where I store the extra propane canisters for my Magma grill & Coleman camping stove. I definitely don’t store or use propane below. Hmm maybe I will keep one of my 7.5 gallon tanks & use just one 12 gallon. Decisions decisions.

[Russ]

I do greatly appreciate your safety concerns, but I am comfortable with the risk level. The lines are protected, there is nothing for them to chafe on & they are protected from UV. All threads on the T are sealed with gasoline safe thread sealer & it has worked well with no leaks for many years.

You are probably okay. Sounds like a small amount of fuel line travels inside. Keeping them tight will be a plus. Fuel tanks below decks are a serious concern. Blowers required etc. according to code.

Just keep an eye on them and I bet you will be okay.

One of the great safety features of the mac is the ability to isolate fuel to the cockpit.

Keep us posted on your opinions of the 12gal tanks. I really don't notice them. I do appreciate the extra range.

[dlandersson]

I do this, I have 6 tanks total (two are spare), but for the last 10 years I've only had two mounted in my X, the left side is used for misc. item storage.

I like having storage in the cockpit so I would probably keep a 12 gallon tank on one side, and a smaller tank on the other so that you can store misc items like a helm cover and a small drink cooler.

[Catigale]

Make sure they don’t contact the FG as it will wear a hole in the tank which will then stink.

24 gallons is a lot of gas and another 150 pounds of weight, too.

I believe most places no longer consider a 12cgallon tank portable so hold downs and other stuff might become mandatory

[Jeff]

I believe most places no longer consider a 12cgallon tank portable so hold downs and other stuff might become mandatory

Yes I think hold downs if not mandatory should be, when I'm heeling in heavy air I don't want my fuel tanks moving. So I actually have hold downs bolted to the fuel locker floor, on my smaller tanks, you can see the straps laying out in my 3rd pic. That's another thing I love about the new tanks, the strap grooves are in the exact same place as my smaller tanks so I can use the old strap holders just may need to buy slightly wider straps for the heavier tanks.

[NiceAft]

When I bought my 2005 ( I am the original purchaser), I ordered it with two 12 gallon tanks. They each have a tie down. Until you mentioned it, I thought the exposed part of each tank was normal. 15 years, and it does not bother me, or any passengers.

As to the propane tanks, I have a pouch made by Magma that fastens to the mast crutch. Up high, and out of the way. The pouch holds 3 cans. There is a zipper opening on one side.

[Jim B Mack]

I've never given it any thought about seeing them as my 12gal tanks have always been there and they don't get in the way.

You could buy (or even make) covers for them. BWY has these Sunbrella locker covers.
http://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/2501-1x0.htm


I'm curious about how your fuel lines are routed. You say you have holes cut in the lockers. I assume (and hope) they don't travel into the cabin in any way. That would be dangerous.
My dealer was BWY and they installed quick disconnect to the fuel line and it simply routes straight back. I can switch it easily.

Russ what kind of tanks are they? Moeller or Scepter? Any chance of a picture in the locker and their dimensions.
I'm on the hunt for 12 Gal tanks.
Jim

[Russ]

Not sure what brand. I believe Moeller is what BWY was installing back in 2008. The boat is back in storage until I can get a chance to bring her up to the lake and launch. I'll try next time I'm out there.

[Stardust26M]

Jeff, I'm getting ready to rig a 2013 26M that's never been in the water, so I was looking for gas line ideas.
I built an experimental aircraft, tanks in each wing. Fuel lines run into the cockpit to the fuel selector valve then through the firewall to the engine.
There are multiple failure points, yet it's rarely if ever an issue.
So, having fuel lines running through the cabin with no fittings is a much lower risk than having fuel lines in the cockpit.
I'm going to order the 17 gallon tank from BWY and keep the other side open for extra fuel, maybe the engine battery.

Jake