Gunnel fuel tanks in a 18ft SC?

[Flatline]

Anyone ever hear about someone doing this. I have 50 gallons below deck. I want to add to ten gallon gravity feed tanks in the gunnels. My engine is thirsy, but only has 275 hours on it so I cant justify buying a four stroke.

[gbf03]

I have seen it on a 20 ma seacraft. He had raised the deck and glassed over the tank, so he put what looked like a 20-30 gal plastic tanks under each gunnel. It didnt really appeal to me because he bolted them thru the outside of the boat.

[Mark]

bolted through the outside of the boat?! please tell me this guy was a commercial fisherman or something!

[Flatline]

Dont plan on doing it half a**. They will be made out of aluminum and they will half to conform the curves in the gunnel. They will have baffels to keep the fuel from sloshing around. Im still working on how I want them mounted.

[Capt Chuck]

Flatline

Where are you going and many miles do you plan on cruising that your 50 gal tank can't get you there and back without finding a marina? You live in Apopka Fl [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] Instead of going through all that expense and trouble of mounting etc. On the days that you plan on those extra miles just carry a couple of Plastic Jerry jugs up in the bow locker. You boat will run better also [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Flatline]

I like to run out of Port Canaveral and fish the 27 fathom curve. That run is 30-35 miles out and the same back in. That does not include scouting. You also know Fl weather. I keep an eye on it but it can change in an instant. So if I have to out run, go around, or go through a storm its that much more fuel. So 50 gal is pushing it on a 70+ mile trip. 60 would be good and at 70 I would have no worries. I know the gas cans are better, but I dont like having those things above deck espc in FLA hot summers where you have to vent them.

[Capt Chuck]

I guess your motor really is a hog! Using that much fuel to push a 18' [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] I can run my carbed 250hp pushing a 23'at 4200-4600rpms and run 100 miles on 70 gals.
Good Luck my friend [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Flatline]

Its a 93 V6 150 Rude. I also have extra weight to push via two external livewells mounted on the transom. Each is about 25 gal each. They are plumed to pick up water while running and are self flushing. Even if they are not full they create a lot of drag. Yes I have trim tabs too. I can run the 70+ miles on 50 gal, but does not leave anything but fumes for saftey margin.

[Dave Hirshberg]

On that size boat I'd be carefull attaching any weight to the gunnels. Just read the post about the 20 for scrap this week. It can happen in an instant. I did a lot of long distance running in a 25 mako and we bought a rectangular Tempo Auxillary fuel tank that would stand uprightand center on the deck. We put a short peice of fuel fill hose with an inexpensive cap on the one end and a vent hose looped with a vent on the other. Then a fuel line to a switchable T at the motor. We would run it till empty then switch the T and Secure the empty tank out of the way while fishing. It was ugly going out but it gave us 100 extra gallons when fishing tourneys far out and much easier and safer then Jerry jugs and funnels. And if we weren't going out far we left it at home and used the belly tank.
Just a thought.

[lost2a6]

When I had my 20ft Sceptre, I was able to make the tank a good bit longer, which took it from 48 gal to 65 gal. I'm guessing that you should be able to do the same, if the tank is in good shape then a good fab guy could just add on to it. I know that this doesn't answer your question but it could be an option. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Personally I just like to keep things simple. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]