Fuel Tank Options & Hello

[Cujo665]

Hello all,
New site member
New owner of a 1979 O'day 23
Learned to sail with my father on an O'day 22 when I was young. Have been out of boats for around 35 years. I've forgotten most of the technical sailboat terms, but still remember the basics.

Would like to get a larger fuel tank than the small one that is currently in there. I'm thinking a six should fit if it's a taller model rather than larger surface area. Has anybody already done the measuring and fitting to see the largest make/model that will fit in there?

 

[Cujo665]

Found the old threads from 2008. Looks like only the Duratank and Tempo 6 will fit, unless there's a better option in the last 8 years.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

Hello Cujo, welcome back to the world of sailing. We're a lot alike. I sailed as a kid and got back into it about 6 years ago. A gap of about 30 years. I'm still lacking in sailing terminology but able to get by.

I can't help you with your question. All I can say is I was able to stuff a 6 gallon tank into the fuel locker of my O 240. It fits like a tight glove.

 

[Sunbird22358]

I believe the fuel tank lockers on the O'DAY sailboats were all designed around the dimensions of the OMC (now Bombardier) 6-gallon remote tank (metal) of the time. The 6-gallon DURO-TANK from Bombardier is a very good tank, not inexpensive, but much better setup than the typical plastic tanks from various aftermarket suppliers. I think the old Mercury outboard metal tanks fit as well. With the switch to 4-stroke outboards in the lower horsepower range, the outboard makers all changed to smaller tanks since they all claim that the new 4-strokes burn less fuel and with the unfortunate addition of Ethanol to most gas, it is recommended that fuel be used before it "goes bad". That said, I use a 3-gallon tank (Bombardier-Duro-Tank) on my DS II with a 4hp outboard and since I do not use my outboard all that much, most of the 2.5 to 3 gallons that I put in the tank in May, is still there when I haul out in October. Using STAR-TRON fuel additive (I might use slightly more than called for?) I have never had a problem with the gas going "bad" over the sailing season.
It is too bad that the aftermarket tank makers do not standardize their 6-gallon tanks based on the typical fuel tank locker on sailboats (The lockers are pretty close to a "standard" size even on different brands of sailboats, like the O'DAYs, most seem to have based their fuel tank lockers on the OMC and Mercury 6-gallon tanks.).