fuel tank size?

[lingcod]

dads boat is a 19 1/2' glassply built in 1976. it is a cuddy cabin. he has no idea what size his fuel tank is. he has been told anywhere from 19-29 gallons.has not had the pleasure of draining it dry and filling it up again. any Ideas as to what size the tank is?

lingcod

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: fuel tank size?

If you pull the sender and dip the tank you can easily (assuming it isn't some weird stepped shape) figure what percent it is of full.... then fill it up....

IE... tank is 20" deep and gas level is 4" .... 20% full..... you add 21 gallons to full

21/.8 is 26.25 gallon capacity

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: fuel tank size?

Can you see the tank ??? If so measure it up and do the math. If not then the dip and fill method will be your most accurate. Unless of course someone has the same boat and knows already !!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: fuel tank size?

And why is this important? If the boat has a fuel gauge, run it until the gauge reads 1/2 full sitting at the dock. Then fill the tank. Multiply by 2 the amount of fuel you added to fill the tank.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: fuel tank size?

boat fuel gauges aren't know for there accuracy.but running it to half then filling will get him closer to the 10 gallon spread he's at now. or just run it dry and carry a couple of day tanks, cause nobody like to fill at marina if they can help it

 

[Solittle]

Re: fuel tank size?

Most all tanks will have a data plate close to the tank sending unit. It wil have all the appropriate data including capacity.

Most boat manufacturers do not make their own tanks. They have them made to their spec.

 

[lingcod]

Re: fuel tank size?

"Unless of course someone has the same boat and knows already !!"
this is what I had hoped for. cant get to the entire tank to measure it. also, tank has a "V" in it to form to the hull so dipping it wouldn't get him exact #s. he has talked to several glassply owners on the docks and he is getting the 19-29 gallon range. seems no one knows what size thier tank is.

lingcod

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: fuel tank size?

1. look for the capacity plate by the sending unit or somewhere on the top or back of tank.
2. run the gas down and then drain the tank. take this occasion to inspect the gas that's in it for water and separation, and to clean the tank (spray cans of carb cleaner then dry out with a rag on a stick). To drain the tank, disconnect the fuel line from the motor and run it out the drain plug hole; pump the ball. Put that gas in your car. Trailer to the gas station and refill; add stabilizer.
3. carry a jerry can or two and run it until it's empty. Refill and track your gas. While you are doing this, watch the gas guage. They are notoriously inaccurate (sorry Silvertip). I have one that's full until I have a quarter of a tank, when it drops to 1/2; 1/4 means 2 gallons left (shallow belly tank).
4. find an owner's manual.

 

[ziggy]

Re: fuel tank size?

Most all tanks will have a data plate close to the tank sending unit. It wil have all the appropriate data including capacity.

that's where i'd look first. i could be wrong, but i think that the data plate for a boat fuel tank is not an option, it's a uscg boat building rule for it to have a data plate...