My boat project

So want to take her out Tuna fishing in a few weeks. Here is my problem. She holds 65 gallons of fuel. It is 3 to 4 (20 MPH at 3000 RPM) hours out to the fishing grounds 6 to 8 hours trolling around at 8 knots 1500 RPM, and 3 to 4 hours back. I dont think 65 gallons is enough gas to get the job done. If not an additional 30 gallons of gas may need to be added to make it work. Then how to do it safely. I am not going to use a plastic can in 8 foot waves 60 miles of the coast to fill her up.
 
motogizmo said:
So want to take her out Tuna fishing in a few weeks. Here is my problem. She holds 65 gallons of fuel. It is 3 to 4 (20 MPH at 3000 RPM) hours out to the fishing grounds 6 to 8 hours trolling around at 8 knots 1500 RPM, and 3 to 4 hours back. I dont think 65 gallons is enough gas to get the job done. If not an additional 30 gallons of gas may need to be added to make it work. Then how to do it safely. I am not going to use a plastic can in 8 foot waves 60 miles of the coast to fill her up.
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Add a fuel tank (or two) depending on space available with a selector valve in the existing fuel line. There are plenty of standard tanks out there, the big question is where you can fit the extra fuel. Closest to the boats center of gravity would be best to minimize handling changes. Under the floor either side of the existing tank? I have also seen tall narrow tanks that would fit tight against either side of the hull. 65 gallons is not much at all, I'd double that heading out that far, rough conditions will have you using alot more fuel heading out and back. :huh:
 
With the rule of thumb being 1/3 out 1/3 in and 1/3 in reserve for emergencies I totally agree with KC_Sundancer regarding the amount of fuel you should consider carrying.

I did not see large tanks on the BOE Marine site so I hope it's OK to post this link.

http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/FUELTANKOKASTICBELOWDECK.htm


With a port and starboard saddle tank and if possible, a bow tank you could almost double your fuel capacity.

How you feed them to the engine is up to you. Based on your pix, you are a pretty talented person and the project would probably take you 10 minutes where it would take me 10 weeks!



 
Just did a quick internet check with Moeller marine and found narrow port/starboard tanks at 24 gallons each (54 x 8 x 18 tall) #FT2495 - just thinking :smt017
 
The spot between the v birth would work well for temporary use. Low center of gravity. It would balance out the Ice and tuna in the stern!!!!!!! I figure the right tank could get me 35 gallons. I could run a fuel line along the top of the belly tank with a quick connect for time when 65 gallons is enough. 110 gallons Hummmm I will have to get her out and figure out what that is going to give me for range. I have fuel flow with setable alarms to help me out, and help with the safety aspect.
 
For 25 to 50 bucks you could have a permanent 3-way valve to switch between tanks. That's how my brother-in-law has his two side tanks plumbed.
No worry about fuel spillage or air in the line with the quick disconnect.
 
Good point. I may have one around here. If I use and above deck tank it will come out when we are just camping, or cruising.
 
Maybe it's just me, but the idea of a vented fuel tank sitting in a cabin scares the living sh!t out of me. My initial thought on the saddle tanks was a setup that would allow them to feed the main tank (kind of like a day tank) and sit empty when not needed.
 
dpmulvey said:
Maybe it's just me, but the idea of a vented fuel tank sitting in a cabin scares the living sh!t out of me. My initial thought on the saddle tanks was a setup that would allow them to feed the main tank (kind of like a day tank) and sit empty when not needed.
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Yeh good point - I'd be really worried with a portable tank vent in the cabin too, they need to be overboard.
 
motogizmo said:
Good stuff, Ill keep that all in mind. I grew up on diesel boats. I love diesel!
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Me too - loving diesel over gas that is. I wish mine could be swapped out at a reasonable cost.
 
Maybe I didn't 100% follow, but was the balancer loose on the rebuilt engine that Joe had installed?
Travis..
 
Travis,

The balancer rubber was rotten from the old engine. It was removed from the old engine and moved to the new engine, and the problems moved with it. Ever time I tried to check the timing the marks were in a diffident place. I thought that it was the crank that had been undersized by the balancer, but it was the other way around. The race performance part that I used is a tolerance fit, not an interference fit like in most auto apps. I used the expanding sealer to make sure that there was zero movement. working well now.
 
We spent all day fishing at point defiance, and browns point. Boat ran great. Temp stayed right at 140 all day. She ran a little rough at first, but I soon found a little water in the distributor cap. Quick dry out with a paper towel. and she was running lake a champ, and idling like a kitten. We must have cough 100 dog fish, and a limit of bottom fish. Sad to say rock fish is closed and we had to send them all back to the deep.

10 hours of fishing and the gas gauge moved less than a 1/8 of a tank. Almost cost more to launch and for bait, than we spent on fuel.
 
motogizmo said:
We spent all day fishing at point defiance, and browns point. Boat ran great. Temp stayed right at 140 all day. She ran a little rough at first, but I soon found a little water in the distributor cap. Quick dry out with a paper towel. and she was running lake a champ, and idling like a kitten. We must have cough 100 dog fish, and a limit of bottom fish. Sad to say rock fish is closed and we had to send them all back to the deep.

10 hours of fishing and the gas gauge moved less than a 1/8 of a tank. Almost cost more to launch and for bait, than we spent on fuel.
Click to expand...


Where are the pics of the catch?!?!?!?!
 
Ill let you know how many gallons we used after next fill up. Heading up to the peninsula to fish next weekend. Ill post picks of the fish.
 
I I have been having trouble with the bow eye catching on the bow roller and the boat will not come off the trailer. I made a mod today that should cure that once and for all.
IMAG0767.jpg

IMAG0768.jpg
 
We spent the weekend fishing with the SRV. Had a good time and picked up 3 keeper silvers. Noticed that the drive growls a little when turning to the port side. I think the U-joint crosses are bad. I have a new drive that has never been run that I could put on, but that is dropping another 2500 into the boat. I guess I will have to decide when I have it off and can look at it.

bad news is that I killed my 30 year old Evinrude 6 horse kicker motor. It had about a 2 thousand hours on it and never gave me any problem. It spun a main bearing. Ill have to pick up a Honda 4 stroke to replace it. bummer.

I did get a chance to try out the new Bimini cockpit cover. It was great. Ill post a pick in the next day or to.

The wife a daughter have asked that I put the SRV back on the market. They don't like the noise from the engine, and the flybridge. They want an inboard diesel, hard top. There may be a new owner posting before long. If that happens you all have been great, and this boat will serve its new owner well. Any recommendation on a searay model that is 24 to 28 foot, Fishing/diving, trailer-able, and inboard with no flybridge? I know tall order.
 
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