Fuel tank in a Seafari

[Fr. Frank]

Went out to my 20 Seafari to start it on the hose this week, found out that about 42 gallons of mixed fuel had leaked out into my bilge, and thence onto the ground. A weld on the bottom rear edge had cracked.
Should I take the opportunity to modify the cockpit sole in front of the cabin door to accomodate a 70 gallon tank instead of the original size 43 gal?
I HATE getting fiberglas into the skin of my hands, but this poor priest can't afford the $$ to have the glass work done, especially after buying a new fuel tank.
Any Suggestions? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[cSickNick]

Hey Frank,

I thought about increasing the capacity when my time comes. Obviously, my main reason was to increase range. With the new efficient outboards(I have a Suzy DF140), they give me all the range i need.

On an approx 30 mile trip each way, with trolling in between, i burned 25 gals! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

So, if you plan on repowering some day ... i would keep the same capacity tank.

I am assuming yours is an outboard? Also my tank is 47 gal.

That's my opinion [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] .... Nick

"Seafari's Rule!"

[Fr. Frank]

My tank is 43 gal, not 47. I have a 150/200 hp carb Merc. (150 powerhead, intake and ignition off a 200) I don't know just how much hp I really have, but I am 2-4 mph faster than my friends 20 Master Angler which has a FastStrike 150 Evinrude, even though I have a heavier boat. I do know that at about 35 mph, (4200-4500 rpm), I burn about 9-10 gph. My max rpm with a 14.25"x16.5"P Powertech prop is 6150 rpm's, at 43-44 knots (49-51 mph)
For me to go to the Florida Middle Grounds 75-85 nautical miles off the west coast of Florida requires me to carry extra fuel on the deck, as it's a 94 mile run from Crystal River, one way. 188 nautical miles, divided by 10 gph, equals 38 gallons of fuel, leaving no fuel for fishing and maneuvering and very little fuel reserve. (I like an hour reserve at cruise)
I figure I need about 70 gallons. I usually take 2 filled portable 12 gallon tanks when I run out to the Middle grounds.
My friends think I'm nuts to head 80 miles out to sea in a 20 footer. I say, its a SeaCraft. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[cSickNick]

Frank,

I started thinking again after having my 3.5 year old daughter on the boat. I spent half the day trying to keep her from falling into the "square hole".

Actually, most trips, myself or other crew end up in the "square hole" also.

I am thinking a square piece of starboard to lay in flush with the deck floor. Or course the cabin door would not open. Make a custom 2 piece door that can be "pinned" as one or two piece as needed??

I would use the space under for storage, you could use for extra poly reserve tank? My "square hole" measures 20" x 20" x 10"(easy guys [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).

For fuel = 4000 sq/in divided by 231 cu/in/gal = 17 gal?
Total would only be 60 gals if my cal is correct.

Just a thought.

By the way you are more nuts than me! Of course i got caught 35 miles offshore at Wildcat in 4-6 ft crap only allowed me to run at 10 miles per hour = 3.5 hours of prayer! [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

- Nick

[Fr. Frank]

Yeah, I know. I've never had a problem going out to the Middle grounds, but I've called off 5 times as many trips as I've made.
When I was young and stupid, (17) I once spent the whole night offshore of Palm Beach in a 25' Mako w/ twin 105 Chryslers waiting to shoot the inlet in daylight because of sea that built from 3-5' to 7-10'. After I talked with the Coast Guard at Lake Worth Inlet, & heard the Inlet was breaking 12-18', [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] I decided to sit offshore for 6 more hours.
I resolved that night never again to go fishing without checking the weather forecast. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]