fuel tank

bobnlesafloat · Jan 26, 2011

Can't answer directly, but would suggest that if you can't find one then Tek-Tanks could probably make you a plastic one at a reasonable price. The shortage of secondhand ones will probably be exacerbated by the fact that most owners ditched them in favour of a gravity fed tank in the cockpit locker (like your own and ours) years ago. Fuel systems fed by pumps from bilge tanks are far more susceptible to problems than gravity systems; have you thought of going half-way: Increase your overall capacity by installing a keel tank, but retain the existing gravity tank and pump fuel up into it from the keel tank? That said, we've done lots of long passages and get by quite happily with a six-gallon tank and the balance in cans; if the seas are calm, then topping-up is easy, if they're not, then you've got wind so don't need to top-up the fuel.

Vega1447 · Jan 26, 2011

Not an answer but a question.
My Vega also has fuel tank in port cockpit locker.

Presumably some previous owner moved it from bilge when fuel pump failed??

Or is there any other likely reason?

John

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

groundhogyh · Jan 26, 2011

Its dirty and yucky down there. and fuel doesnt weigh that much.
gh

j.hunter9999 · Jan 26, 2011

John and Doug -

I would also go with Tek-Tanks or some other manufacturer if you can't find a replacement. If you have one made, you might consider just resting it on the bottom of the bilge. When I pulled mine out a couple years ago in favor of 6 gallon port tank, it was resting on some kind of platform.

I was on a bit longer passage (comparatively longer, because we're on the great lakes) and had to motor for about 4 hours when a crew member took ill and needed medical attention. A leaky stuffing box caused the bilge to fill up around the tank, half way up the batteries (which have since been moved to the starboard locker). It worried me enough to where I decided that I never wanted to lack visibility into water accumulation in the bilge again. Now I keep 100 ft of 1/4 inch hi-test chain in the bilge (to augment the 100ft + 150ft nylon I have in the fociscle (sp?)).

Its hard to say for sure why someone would pull the tank out. Most likely reason is the gravity feed issue. However, could be personal preference, a problem with the tank, or a desire to engage in yet another dirty boat project.

Best of luck,

Jack
Bella - V2620

vegatern · Jan 26, 2011

Doug
The previous owner removed my keel tank and replaced it with a tank in the port cockpit locker, but I still have the original tank and it just takes up room in the shop. If you would pay shipping from California you may have it. I had thought of putting it back in the keel and using it to carry additional fuel, and then hand pumping fuel to the locker tank. I think I like looking into the bilge and seeing the bottom though.
The Tern is a series 2, number 1519 and built in 1972. At least I think it was built in `72. Different series have different bilge configurations and this may not work for you. The tank is in good shape and has the top stainless cover. I think it holds about 8 gallons.
Craig Tern 1519

tim_klynn · Jan 27, 2011

I think some people (Bob) removed their tanks to be able to have a cool place to store lots of beer.

wemccourt · Jan 27, 2011

You gotta have priorities! Ha ha!

Bill McCourt
Reston, VA

pelagicasd · Jan 27, 2011

I tried putting a series 2 tank in a series 1 Vega. It wouldn't fit. The tank was to wide to fit in the series 1 bilge. As an aside the series 2 bilge is also deeper. Walt

To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
From: vegatern@...
Date: Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:56:47 +0000
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: fuel tank

Doug

The previous owner removed my keel tank and replaced it with a tank in the port cockpit locker, but I still have the original tank and it just takes up room in the shop. If you would pay shipping from California you may have it. I had thought of putting it back in the keel and using it to carry additional fuel, and then hand pumping fuel to the locker tank. I think I like looking into the bilge and seeing the bottom though.

The Tern is a series 2, number 1519 and built in 1972. At least I think it was built in `72. Different series have different bilge configurations and this may not work for you. The tank is in good shape and has the top stainless cover. I think it holds about 8 gallons.

Craig Tern 1519

vegatern · Jan 27, 2011

Doug
See message #16686 to see if this may work for you.

Craig

dougpol1 · Jan 27, 2011

I have to go down to my boat the weekend after this coming week one.
I'll take my tape measure down and measure the compartment in the keel.
I guess when the boats were designed they considered the tank might be
empty or full and accounted for it in ballast weight?? I can't help
thinking that there is maybe 150 lbs of boyancy in the keel and 100 lbs
of fuel up high. Then on the other side of the cockpit I have 3
batteries that Likly weigh 90 lbs. Insofar as the amount of water that
might get in the keel I don't care much it only subtracts from the
boyancy that is trying to lift the boat out of the water. If I were
racing I might consider adding 20 gals of water for beating to windward
and pump it over when running down wind.?? That might make her stiffer
going to wind. I will replace the batteries with Gel Cell and I can
get two of them in the battery box in the keel so that will lower 60 of
the 90lbs. My batteries are 2 years old so I am likely to get a year or
two out of them. The German Prevailer batteries are good for at least 8
years and likely more, the longer life more than pays for them. If water
gets to the top of them it wont hurt them at all. Between moving stuff
down low and eliminating boyancy down deep in the boat I figure she will
be several hundred pounds more stable. The volvo engine is likely 200lbs
heavier than a new engine and that weight is down low and that is one
reason I am reluctant to replace the engine. If I were to replace it I
would probably put a 20 horse engine in to keep the weight about the
same. Now the extra stiffness could be a problem as that is more load on
the rig as she will be much stiffer. As she is with all that weight up
high I may be less likely to break a shroud or maybe the mast. I have to
think about all that. Doug

brockhaus77 · Feb 1, 2011

I may be mistaken, but I believe most (all?) series 1 Vegas came originally with the (Petrol!) fuel tank in the starboard locker - that's where mine is (I'm pretty sure it ALWAYS was there). Only later did Albin move the fuel tank into the bilge.
As for the weight, I understand the general preference for weight down below, but we're talking definitely less than 100 lbs here (even if you have 8 gallon capacity as I do) - compare that with you sitting on one bench or the other in the cockpit!
I personally like the way it is - both because of the "KISS" principle (gravity feed) and because I have easy access to the tank, filters, etc., will notice (and can fix) any leaks quickly, and have a clear view of the bilge. To me, it seems a case of "not worth the effort to mess with it".

- Sebastian (VegaLyra 1060)