Adding auxilliary Fuel Tank to 280DA

[Presentation]

I guess this means you didn't add one. We're taking an ICW trip and there's at least one crossing where 100 miles won't quite get it done but 130 will.

Are you referring to Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs Florida? That is 168 miles but you can hug the cost.

The 280 Sundancer is a very good boat for many uses. Long range cruising is not one of them.

I suggest you look at a long range cruiser. A "Mainship" brand is at the more economical side of brands that can go longer ranges between fuelling. With the proper model you will be just a bit larger and have much more range. Look at a Mainship Pilot 31 or similar used model.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Another option I was contemplating for an aux tank was...
Removing the 30 gal water tank. Then installing a fuel tank in its place.
Then buying a small water tank 6 Gal? That would fit somewhere else, Like under the V berth.

 

[Nehalennia]

I've run with the 5 gallon tanks on the back for a long run to Princess Louisa, from the nearest fuel dock(75+miles round trip) on my 230OV. You can see them here.

I had a 100 mile range on that boat but this run is notorious for wind kicking up and making it potentially a fuel burner, so we insured our trip with some extra fuel.

 

[bport]

Todd, what a great picture. Don't sell the boat.

Jim

 

[tobnpr]

When you said "under the bunk" I thought you meant it had been placed in a storage compartment underneath the berth.

I was only clarifying that a fuel tank(s) must be separated from the cabin area by a solid, vapor-tight bulkhead. CFR 183.402:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/33cfr183.410.pdf

 

[Presentation]

Todd, what a great picture. Don't sell the boat.

Jim

Too late. Todd already sold THAT boat.

 

[Nehalennia]

Todd, what a great picture. Don't sell the boat.

Jim

Thanks. Yes Doug's correct that boat was Nehalennia II, my old 230OV. It was a great boat. Just to calm everyone down, and again I appreciate the support. We don't think we'll be selling, just some pent up frustration at work that has me a little rattled.
Anyway, this shot was a great trip but in some parts of B.C. (Canada), you're far far away from fuel stops.

 

[roger275]

We just finished our 1200 mile ICW trip from Galveston to Stuart Florida. To extend range of the 280DA I removed the fold up bench seat from the transom and used the space for 2 Mueller 26 gallon above deck tanks. I drilled a hole in port side, near the battery switches, to access bilge and mounted a ball valve with a fuel line that tees into the port solenoid valve where it connects to the main tank. I open the ball valve, squeeze the above deck fuel line bulb and gas siphons into main tank. It worked fine and we would have run out of gas several times without them. The 2 Mueller tanks are about same size as the bench seat and will slide into forward cockpit when I need to open the bilge. With a 1x12 board across the tanks I was able to strap the OB for the dinghy to top of them. This left deck room for our 2 bikes between the tanks and the aft facing seat. We plan to resume trip from Stuart and go north in the spring.

 

[Presentation]

We just finished our 1200 mile ICW trip from Galveston to Stuart Florida. To extend range of the 280DA I removed the fold up bench seat from the transom and used the space for 2 Mueller 26 gallon above deck tanks. I drilled a hole in port side, near the battery switches, to access bilge and mounted a ball valve with a fuel line that tees into the port solenoid valve where it connects to the main tank. I open the ball valve, squeeze the above deck fuel line bulb and gas siphons into main tank. It worked fine and we would have run out of gas several times without them. The 2 Mueller tanks are about same size as the bench seat and will slide into forward cockpit when I need to open the bilge. With a 1x12 board across the tanks I was able to strap the OB for the dinghy to top of them. This left deck room for our 2 bikes between the tanks and the aft facing seat. We plan to resume trip from Stuart and go north in the spring.

Thank you for the update.

Can you please share some photos?

 

[redmoncpa]

I have a 290 and had the same question. I figure my range is about 150 miles on the 125 gallon tank. Any idea on the cost of a retro-fit aux. tank done professionally and correctly? Also, how much fuel savings do you estimate between 7-10 knots versus planing speed at about 18-20 knots?

 

[jason78]

I have a 290 and had the same question. I figure my range is about 150 miles on the 125 gallon tank. Any idea on the cost of a retro-fit aux. tank done professionally and correctly? Also, how much fuel savings do you estimate between 7-10 knots versus planing speed at about 18-20 knots?

Not too long ago, someone posted a 280DA Boat Trader listing that had an extra 100gal fuel tank installed taking up almost all the aft cabin. There was discussion about it in the thread. So I guess it could be done depending on how much money and space you want to sacrafice. Don't have a clue how they did it or what it cost but surely it was not cheap. If you find that thread, maybe you can track down the owner and ask.

What size tank would you want to add?

 

[Air O'Nautical]

We just finished our 1200 mile ICW trip from Galveston to Stuart Florida. To extend range of the 280DA I removed the fold up bench seat from the transom and used the space for 2 Mueller 26 gallon above deck tanks. I drilled a hole in port side, near the battery switches, to access bilge and mounted a ball valve with a fuel line that tees into the port solenoid valve where it connects to the main tank. I open the ball valve, squeeze the above deck fuel line bulb and gas siphons into main tank. It worked fine and we would have run out of gas several times without them. The 2 Mueller tanks are about same size as the bench seat and will slide into forward cockpit when I need to open the bilge. With a 1x12 board across the tanks I was able to strap the OB for the dinghy to top of them. This left deck room for our 2 bikes between the tanks and the aft facing seat. We plan to resume trip from Stuart and go north in the spring.

Good for you!!!
I like the can do attitude.
You are doing what most boaters only ever talk about.
Bet it was a fun trip.

 

[floriduramax1]

We just finished our 1200 mile ICW trip from Galveston to Stuart Florida. To extend range of the 280DA I removed the fold up bench seat from the transom and used the space for 2 Mueller 26 gallon above deck tanks. I drilled a hole in port side, near the battery switches, to access bilge and mounted a ball valve with a fuel line that tees into the port solenoid valve where it connects to the main tank. I open the ball valve, squeeze the above deck fuel line bulb and gas siphons into main tank. It worked fine and we would have run out of gas several times without them. The 2 Mueller tanks are about same size as the bench seat and will slide into forward cockpit when I need to open the bilge. With a 1x12 board across the tanks I was able to strap the OB for the dinghy to top of them. This left deck room for our 2 bikes between the tanks and the aft facing seat. We plan to resume trip from Stuart and go north in the spring.

I would love to see pics of these in place as well.

 

[kevin27]

I have used the new ventless 5 gal cans with no problem at all. The new cans do suck to use compaired to the old ones with the yellow vent, but if kept covered with a white towel out of the sun they are very safe. I would never put them in a non-open area such as cabin or eng room. I understand your situation as I have there too. Just be very carefull. If you do install an aux tank make shure you have it grounded to the main take also. You don't want a static buildup to start a fire during fuel transfer.