Replacing Gas Tank

[Runco]

I am replacing gas tank (144 gal) in my "85" Sceptre. I want to put a smaller tank in as I don't need that much gas to haul around. I was thinking of a 100 gal tank. My question is do I lose the size from the front of the tank or the rear? I don't want to change the ride or handling tendencies. Some say to lose it up front as it will improve the ride as it will be slightly lighter up front than before. Any imput would be appreciated, the last thing I want to do is wreck the ride.
Thanks, Jack

[Capt Chuck]

Jack

I don't know about the Sceptre model I think most Sceptres are naturaly heavier forward.

But in the Center Console I would lose the weight aft. Mine came with a 100 gal. I added a 135 gal plus 15 gal of water in front of the tank. The boat rides better with the added weight forward

[ocuyler]

I agree with Capt. Chuck. I would lose the weight aft and keep the weight as far forward as posible. You can always trim the bow up. These are stern heavy boats. It's an opportunity. You're deleting 280 pounds in total (when full), the only thing that may change slightly is the waterline. The boat will drain better, too, as the scuppers wiil move up a tad.

I put a new 133 gallon tank in my project 23CC. If I had to do it over, I would do exactly as discussed. Do it...

[Scott]

Like Capt Chuck says the Scepter is a different beast with the cuddy as opposed to a CC.....

keep the weight as far forward as posible. You can always trim the bow up.

Maybe I’m missing something here…but once you’ve “fixed ballast” or weight forward, that dictates your trim angle. To the best of my knowledge you can’t bring the bow up from its natural running angle, now made less/ lower with this added weight ….unless more weight is added aft (which you wouldn’t want to do) or removed forward OR trimming the engine up to a degree where it will not run efficiently and pushes the stern down (I’ve never even tried that when a boat’s on plane so I don’t know how well that would work anyway). With trim tabs you could bring the bow down more but that’s it. There are several reasons NOT to go too bow heavy…And as far as shifting loads, look at how much a wet stringer can affect a boat and cause it to list …and that’s like 10-20 gallons of water …. not nearly as much as a tank full of fuel….. There is a fine balance between just right and too much in my eyes.. Just some food for thought !!!

[ScottM]

Jack,
I would remove the weight from the rear of the tank. The I/O already provides plenty of weight in the stern, so by removing ~280#s from the ass end, you're doing yourself a favor. If the end result gives you a more bow-down angle when underway, you can always trim the outdrive up slightly to get the bow up.

On the contrary, if you removed weight from the front of the tank, you may need to add trim tabs to get the bow down.

[Miles Offshore]

I would center it in the space from where it was removed.This would in my opinion keep the center of gravity pretty much the same. my nickel [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Scott]

I don't want to change the ride or handling tendencies

I would center it in the space from where it was removed.This would in my opinion keep the center of gravity pretty much the same. my nickel [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Bingo !! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Runco]

Its the speed I am worried about! You know the guy with the outboard next to me always wants to race. I am also going with the NOS system that should fix him. I think I am going to go with the centering the tank theory. The weight would be like having one less big guy on board. I don't really notice much difference in ride or performance with one to three people on board. Well time will tell.
I wonder how many albies you can put in a Seacraft in one day?

[Finster]

[ScottM]

Its the speed I am worried about! You know the guy with the outboard next to me always wants to race. I am also going with the NOS system that should fix him.

Don't worry Jack, I won't tell that "guy" anything about your secret plans. He knows you can beat him in a race anyway. It's my boat that you have to worry about! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Albies? Did someone say albies? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]