To offset the increased weight of a larger outboard, has anyone installed a built in tank under the v-berth (who needs that foam anyway!. Thanks - Capt Jim
Built - in fuel tank under v-berth
- Thread starter Capt Jim367
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foam
your mac can sink like a rock without the flotation, and do you really want your gas tank where the boat first hits something?
your mac can sink like a rock without the flotation, and do you really want your gas tank where the boat first hits something?
V berth tank
some have placed a fuel tank in that location. others have placed a water tank in that location. my issue with either, besides the removal of valuable foam flotation, is trailering weight. just remember...6.5# per gallon of fuel or 8.2# per gallon of water. the single axle standard Mac trailer is barely enough for a completely empty Mac, let alone a 250+# outboard and 30 gallons of fuel or water and gear. keep that in mind. especially if it's mainly trailered.
some have placed a fuel tank in that location. others have placed a water tank in that location. my issue with either, besides the removal of valuable foam flotation, is trailering weight. just remember...6.5# per gallon of fuel or 8.2# per gallon of water. the single axle standard Mac trailer is barely enough for a completely empty Mac, let alone a 250+# outboard and 30 gallons of fuel or water and gear. keep that in mind. especially if it's mainly trailered.
Fuel Lines
Other part is running 20-some feet of fuel line back to the engine. That's a lot of potential for leaks from chafing or dry-rot over the years. Ever see what styrofoam does in gasoline?
Other part is running 20-some feet of fuel line back to the engine. That's a lot of potential for leaks from chafing or dry-rot over the years. Ever see what styrofoam does in gasoline?
I think you'd be ok
Most boats this size dont have floation foam anyway, (Catalina 22, 25) if you removed enough for a fuel tank, the boat would probably stay on the surface if holed. I wouldnt worry much about fuel leaks, (if done properly and with good materials) lots of power boats (and sail) have the fuel tanks in the bow and as for being the first thing to make contact in a collision, would that really be the biggest concern? I think you'd have bigger problems. (how fast are you sailing anyway?) The biggest factor with adding more weight to the bow to conteract more weight of a motor on the stern MIGHT be more see-saw action in the waves. Down low and center might be a better place for additional weight.
Most boats this size dont have floation foam anyway, (Catalina 22, 25) if you removed enough for a fuel tank, the boat would probably stay on the surface if holed. I wouldnt worry much about fuel leaks, (if done properly and with good materials) lots of power boats (and sail) have the fuel tanks in the bow and as for being the first thing to make contact in a collision, would that really be the biggest concern? I think you'd have bigger problems. (how fast are you sailing anyway?) The biggest factor with adding more weight to the bow to conteract more weight of a motor on the stern MIGHT be more see-saw action in the waves. Down low and center might be a better place for additional weight.
venting
forgot to mention that a tank inside the cabin would require all the bilge vents /blowers that regular inboards are required, by law, to have, not to mention gas vapor and cooking stove combination...
forgot to mention that a tank inside the cabin would require all the bilge vents /blowers that regular inboards are required, by law, to have, not to mention gas vapor and cooking stove combination...
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