How full is my tank?

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Capt Dale

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Jul 20, 2011
4
Hunter 27 Havre de Grace, MD
Just recently purchased an '84 Hunter 27. Last boat was a Catalina 22. Always had a soft spot for the Cherubini Hunters. Found this one and bought it. Question...How do I tell how much fuel is in the diesel tank? Yard I purchased it fron said they "topped it off". The boat has a 2 cyl Westerbeke engine. How do I know what my fuel level is??

Thanks,

Dale
 
MrUnix

MrUnix

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Mar 24, 2010
626
Hunter 23 Gainesville, FL
low-tech solution

Had the same problem with our H27.. wound up getting a wood dowel, about 1/2 inch in diameter and a couple feet long. I marked it in 1/8 increments using the top of the tank as the 'full' mark. To check the level; drop the dowel in the tank, pull it out and read it like you would your cars oil dipstick. Not very high-tech, but worked for us :)

I also remember a buddy of mine who had a fuel gauge built into the cap like you see on some of the 6 and 12 gallon outboard tanks. I don't think it was OEM, but that was quite a while ago and the details have long since gone fuzzy.

Cheers,
Brad
 
rardiH36

rardiH36

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Jun 21, 2007
2,117
Hunter Cherubini 36_80-82 Sausalito / San Francisco Bay
Different boat than mine (so you should probably wait until other 27 owners weigh in), but I had the same problem when I bought mine several years ago. The surveyor even included in his report "no fuel guage". However, a few weeks later I did notice that a dial gauge is on top of the tank. For my boat, there is a inspection port which needs to be removed in order to see the gauge; and I need a flashlight to illuminate the otherwise dark area.

If you don't have a gauge like mine, sounding the tank could give you an estimate. Presuming that you can see/reach your fuel tank, measure the distance from bottom to top. Tie a small weight on to a very strong cord. The weight should be rounded not "sqaure" so it doesn't become stuck on something. I've used a socket from a wrench set -- or a fishing weight. Feed it into you fueling tube slowly until the weight hits the bottom of the tank. Withdraw the cord/weight and measure how many inches of the cord is wet.

Have fun with you new boat.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
I wonder if you just haven't located the gauge. I thought the H27 did have a fuel gauge. My 1979 H37C has the same setup as Rard's H36. Amazingly it still works and is accurate.
 
M

Mike 1

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Sep 19, 2010
62
Hunter h27 Sandusky,Ohio
My 82 H27 has a dial gauge located under the nav. station. near the battery meter. Not sure if it is original though.
 
cbsailor

cbsailor

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Jul 8, 2004
155
Hunter 33.5 Portsmouth VA
My previous boat was an 81 H27. The gauge was located on top of the tank. To see it you had to open the starboard locker, bend over way down inside, locate and open the access panel on the interior bulkhead and shine a flash light inside. The unit was a mechanical type about 1" in diameter and was pretty accurate. Hope you can find one on your tank.
 
J

J Hunter

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Jun 10, 2004
135
Hunter 30_74-83 Shelburne
My '76 30 has the gage on top of the tank too. Empty half the cockpit locker and hang your head straight down in with a flashlight. Look for a plastic dome about an inch an a half high and 2 inches in dia. sticking out of the top center of the tank.
 
Manny

Manny

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Oct 5, 2006
983
Hunter 82? 37 Cutter Wherever the wind takes me
My 1980 27' has a gauge on the tank also, and it appears to be original. But my tank is in the starboard lazarrette, not under the cockpit, so it is simple to see the fuel level.

M
 
C

Capt Dale

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Jul 20, 2011
4
Hunter 27 Havre de Grace, MD
Hey everyone. THANKS fior the input. My wife and I are going down to the boat EARLY Saturday morning to continue our cleaning. Boy do I love this boat! Will nose around in the cockpit lockers for a gauge. THANKS again for the pointers. If anyone ever gets up in the havre de Grace, MD area, would love to meet up with you. A cold one is on me!

Thanks again,

Dale
 
cbsailor

cbsailor

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Jul 8, 2004
155
Hunter 33.5 Portsmouth VA
Even with a tank mounted fuel gauge, my H27 had one annoying problem and I would advise a little caution when filling up your tank. I’m not sure how or where your fuel fill is located on the 84, but on my 81, the fuel fill was located on the starboard cockpit coaming near the aft section. Being located so much higher than the tank and the tank vent, it was easy to overfill and push fuel out the vent on the stern. Maybe Hunter corrected this on you model. Hope you enjoy the H27 as much as we did.
 
M

MLampner

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Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
cbsailor said:
Even with a tank mounted fuel gauge, my H27 had one annoying problem and I would advise a little caution when filling up your tank. I’m not sure how or where your fuel fill is located on the 84, but on my 81, the fuel fill was located on the starboard cockpit coaming near the aft section. Being located so much higher than the tank and the tank vent, it was easy to overfill and push fuel out the vent on the stern. Maybe Hunter corrected this on you model. Hope you enjoy the H27 as much as we did.
Click to expand
I have experienced the same issue with over fill for the same reasons.

In my case the easiest way to check the gauge on my 30 was the inspection hatch built into the 1/4 berth. Armed with a flashlight and a mirror you can see it from there and it beats clearing out the lazarette.

Will look for you in Harve de Grace and a similar offer stands in Middle River.
 
Jimboyyy

Jimboyyy

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Nov 14, 2006
93
Hunter 27 Lake Lanier, GA
on my 83

Fuel guage is under Nav Station.

In regards to over filling...yea I have done that before...keep some liquid dish detergent on board and drop into water to break up any fuel @ surface.

as a rule I only add 4 gallons of diesel when the tank measures 1/2 on the guage. i do try to completely top off in winter.

i too made the same move from a c-22 to an H27. Enjoy!
 
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