Embarassing newbie question - fueling...

[Gary C]

Just traded my Catalina 22' for a Catalina 30'. Here is where I'm a bit confused...My diesel fuel tank is located under the aft berth, without any fuel-guages installed. When I go to fuel up, how will I know when my tank is full (which I can't see, since I'm not in the cabin monitoring the fuel tank). It would seem tedious going from the cabin to the dock back to the cabin then to the dock, etc.... just to see how much fuel I've put in. Is this what needs to be done, or can I just fuel up til I see fuel in the inlet?Have I confused everyone?? Has anyone tried the acu-gages?Thanks for your help!Gary

 

[Mike Turner]

Fuel Vent

Gary -We have something of the same problem on our '81 C30 as our guage sticks. Here's a temporary fix: on the stern of the boat there'll be a small vent. I don't know the year of your C30 but on ours the vent is high on the stern on the starboard side. When fueling you can watch the vent and the instant you see fuel coming out of it, stop. It's best if you have someone hold a rag under the vent to catch the overflow or better yet fabricate a small receptical out of an empty quart oil can and a couple of suction cups to put under it. DON'T let the overflow get into the water or you'll have a slick that can be damaging to the environment (the Coast Guard can issue you a pretty hefty fine for this). The vent will continue to drain fuel once you stop pumping, and you may not be completely full -- the vent may have filled due to air pressure buildup in the tank (that's what it's designed for). Pump slowly.Haven't tried Accuguage but the float type guages are inexpensive and relatively easy to install.Mike TurnerS/V Amity

 

[BW]

Why Embarassed?

I would certainly not be embarassed to ask any question on this site. This is what the site is for. I have an 88 C30. There is a fuel gage in the cockpit. I did not realize that Catalina made models without it.At any rate...I usually pump until the pump kicks off and have never had a problem. Do your fuel pumps not have this feature? Also, you can hear the sound of the fuel when getting close to the top and can slow the flow rate.I have not had any experience with any of the accugages. Hope this helps.

 

[Tom Soko]

Educated Guess?

If you have the Universal M25 diesel, you can make a guess as to how much fuel to put in the tank by looking at the hour meter. If you keep track of the fuel (along with oil changes, maint, etc.) in a notebook, you will find that the M25 will burn about 1/2 gal/hr of overall use. It burns slightly more at continuous cruising speeds, but with starting, stopping, idling, I have found my average to be .50 to .55 gal/hr over the past 9 years of ownership. All of the other posts also make perfect sense. Good Luck.Tom.

 

[Gary C]

Thanks!

Thanks for all of your responses! It's nice to have a forum where questions can be answered.Gary