I ran all my fuel out to transport my 40.5 and when I filled the tank it only took 34 gallons. What gives? It is supposed to hold 40. I assumed the tank gauge was off when it indicated empty cause the dealer had to bend the float to keep in from hanging up on the side of the tank.( It never read below half.) I was very lucky on some of my crossings to Catalina Island and my trip to Mexico that I didn't run out of fuel. I try to always keep a full tank.
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Published fuel capacity...A common problem
You are not alone. I was VERY surprised last year to measure my H34 fuel tank capacity at 20 gals when the published specs said 25/26 gals. I measured the tank dimennsions to confirm this. I posted a similar question to yours (I think it was in the "Ask an Owner" Forum) and got responses from several owners saying that their various Hunters had fuel tanks that were significantly smaller than advertised. Like you I had been guessing fuel reserve based on the published tank capacity. The H34 has no fuel gauge, and so I was guestimating fuel at 0.5 gal/hour consumption. It could have been tricky! Derek
You are not alone. I was VERY surprised last year to measure my H34 fuel tank capacity at 20 gals when the published specs said 25/26 gals. I measured the tank dimennsions to confirm this. I posted a similar question to yours (I think it was in the "Ask an Owner" Forum) and got responses from several owners saying that their various Hunters had fuel tanks that were significantly smaller than advertised. Like you I had been guessing fuel reserve based on the published tank capacity. The H34 has no fuel gauge, and so I was guestimating fuel at 0.5 gal/hour consumption. It could have been tricky! Derek
how did you run it all out
Actually the tank holds closer to 40 Gals. It's usable capacity is a bit less because the pick up tube does not contact the bottom of the tank but is .5 to 1" off the tank floor. If you have an aluminum tank it should be closer to 40 gals than a roto cast tank which has a thicker wall section but the same external diminsions as the al. The pick-up tube is off the floor to prevent it from sucking up water, algae, slime, and dirt. Maye it would be more accurate to state usable capacity rather than the actual diminsions. JB
Actually the tank holds closer to 40 Gals. It's usable capacity is a bit less because the pick up tube does not contact the bottom of the tank but is .5 to 1" off the tank floor. If you have an aluminum tank it should be closer to 40 gals than a roto cast tank which has a thicker wall section but the same external diminsions as the al. The pick-up tube is off the floor to prevent it from sucking up water, algae, slime, and dirt. Maye it would be more accurate to state usable capacity rather than the actual diminsions. JB
fuel capacity
Several years ago I ran out of fuel in my 40.5. Upon filling the tank, it took approximatey 35 gallons. Its my understanding that the pick up line will not reach the last three or four gallons in the bottom of the tank. Assuming this to be true, my tank is close to the stated capacity. My boat is a 1994 model.
Several years ago I ran out of fuel in my 40.5. Upon filling the tank, it took approximatey 35 gallons. Its my understanding that the pick up line will not reach the last three or four gallons in the bottom of the tank. Assuming this to be true, my tank is close to the stated capacity. My boat is a 1994 model.
Usuaaly clog before running it empty
You very seldom hear of sailors running clean out of fule because the filter usually clogs up with crud from the bottom of the tank before it can. Is it possible this is what happened when your engine quit, and in fact your tank was not empty?
You very seldom hear of sailors running clean out of fule because the filter usually clogs up with crud from the bottom of the tank before it can. Is it possible this is what happened when your engine quit, and in fact your tank was not empty?
fuel capacity
This incident occurred when the boat was approximately 9 months old and therefore the fuel tank was relatively clean. I sailed into the fuel dock, filled up the tank, bled the system and the engine immediately fired up. I had no problems thereafter.
This incident occurred when the boat was approximately 9 months old and therefore the fuel tank was relatively clean. I sailed into the fuel dock, filled up the tank, bled the system and the engine immediately fired up. I had no problems thereafter.
Answers to ?s
I emptied the tank by running the engine to put a final charge on the batteries since I had no power at the yard slip (Didn't want my batteries to sit too long on low charge) I knew the tank was low but not that low. JB is right I should have a few gallons under the pickup. I knew it was "empty" because no fuel got to the first fuel filter when I checked it. There was some sentments in it but not too bad. I bled the system and it started right up. Thanks everyone for your comments. I will plan on 35 gallons available. Thinking about a second tank.
I emptied the tank by running the engine to put a final charge on the batteries since I had no power at the yard slip (Didn't want my batteries to sit too long on low charge) I knew the tank was low but not that low. JB is right I should have a few gallons under the pickup. I knew it was "empty" because no fuel got to the first fuel filter when I checked it. There was some sentments in it but not too bad. I bled the system and it started right up. Thanks everyone for your comments. I will plan on 35 gallons available. Thinking about a second tank.
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