Tartan 30 question

[Tartan 30]

Hello,
I'm new to this site, so I hope I'm posting this in the right place.
Does anyone have a fuel tank dipstick with graduated markings for a Tartan 30?
I have just purchased a T 30 with no dipstick or fuel gauge. I can make one easy enough, but would be guesstimating the graduated markings because the tank is wedge-shaped and half the stick would not equal half a tank.
But if someone has one that I could replicate, I would greatly appreciate being able to layout the graduations accurately.
Thank you,
Gary

 

[jssailem]

Is your fuel tank under the starboard Settee?
Can you see the tank sides? Is it see through or translucent plastic?
If so why not mark the sides of the tank for level. It should give you relevant information regarding approximate volume of fuel available.
Even with gauges and dipsticks the best way to know the amount of fuel is to keep a log. How much to fill the tank. The number of hours of motor usage. The gallons used per hour. The estimated hours and fuel volume left. The fuel reserve.

Then you do not need to depend on a gauge or dip stick.

 

[jviss]

I know someone with a Tartan 30, I will ask her.

 

[Tartan 30]

Jssailem and jviss,
Thanks for your replies.
The boat has a monel tank sealed off by paneling and a counter top.
So getting a visual isn't possible.
I agree that keeping a log is good practice and will be doing exactly that. But I wouldn't mind having a dip stick available as a backup. It is also likely that my son and daughter will be using the boat from time to time and might be better off with a dip stick.

 

[jssailem]

my son and daughter will be using the boat from time to time and might be better off with a dip stick.

This is likely a true statement. And I understand. I hope you can help them learn the value of logging fuel use for management.
Do you know the tank capacity? While an accurate dip stick developed by the tank manufacturer would be nice, your development of a nearly accurate stick is just as relevant and reliable. While some folk want to buy fuel when the tank is near empty it is better in my opinion to buy fuel for the boat when the tank is approximately 3/4 empty. In such a case the details of tank volume on the dip stick becomes less critical.

Again this is my opinion based on my experiences. My focus is more on the big picture and the issues critical to getting out and sailing.

Best of luck.

 

[Meriachee]

Would this be a suitable candidate for a tank monitor? I have a SCAD Solo on the waste tank, I know that Miss Peggy put up a link to a cheaper version, here someplace.

 

[jviss]

Buy fuel at 1/2 a tank! That's what I try to do. Or, whenever leaving my home port for more than one night, I water-up, fuel-up, and pump-out before leaving.

 

[DougM]

Start with a full tank. Run a few hours, put a mark on the dipstick at that fuel level, then refill.
That will give you a start toward making your custom dipstick and an estimate of gallons per hour. Next time, run a few more hours before refilling and mark the dipstick at that point! etc.

 

[jviss]

@T3 , what's the reported total capacity of the tank?

Also, look here:
http://www.tartan30.org/about_the_t30.html

 

[svchickadee]

Empty the tank. Add 5 gallons, mark the dipstick. Repeat until tank is full.

 

[rgranger]

Empty the tank. Add 5 gallons, mark the dipstick. Repeat until tank is full.

Yep. That is what I was going to suggest. Pump out the tank, then fill it back up a few gallons at a time. Mark the stick at appropriate intervals.

 

[Tartan 30]

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.
I will probably do just what SV, dougm and others recommend – just fill the empty tank in increments and mark the stick accordingly.
I have to say, this is a great site. It's nice to be able to toss out a question and have so many knowledgable people ready to respond.