new fuel tank-how big?

[rthomas]

the boat is a 1988 '22 marlin mariah w/5.7a-1 and weighs about 3550 lbs, the factory tank is 75 gal. and may need to be replaced. would i be foolish to replace it with a smaller tank? the one im looking at is 55 gal. thanks -russ

 

[fixb52s]

Re: new fuel tank-how big?

Can you get a 75 gallon replacement with the proper dimensions? I would not go lower, since more fuel is better while on the water.

I had to get one built for my boat since it is not something I could not get off the shelf. (my luck with this boat...) Mine was $300 (21 gallon) made to order from Sunrise marine tanks.​

 

[12vMan]

Re: new fuel tank-how big?

Bigger is usually better in the case of the fuel tank, and belly tanks are better because they center the weight of the fuel, rather than saddle tanks on the sides where you have to switch back & forth to keep the weight even.

I would stay with the 75 gal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new fuel tank-how big?

it really depends on how much fuel you use on an outing, and still have reserve. my deckboat has a 60 gallon tank, and has only been totally full, twice in it's life.

 

[rthomas]

Re: new fuel tank-how big?

i havent had this boat in the water yet so its hard to guess how much it wants to burn, with the boat in my sig i usualy use 20 gal. for a long day on the water, i could guess that in the same setting this boat might use 30 gal. if i need to replace the tank i dont want to spend a bunch on a tank thats way bigger than i need, if i divide capacity into thirds (two thirds for use one for emergency) the 55 gal sounds like a good size, but too much usualy isnt a bad thing