Hunter 31 Fuel Tank

[Joe Dickson]

I recently purchased an '84 Hunter 31. Has anyone found a retrofit guage for the fuel tank? If not, has anyone got a 'workaround' for determining the fuel level?

 

[Steve Dion]

HOW has your answer.

Joe:The HOW site has the Accugage in the store. I am in the process of installing the system on my H'31. I have the gage mounted and the wires run. Just need to install the contact strips and hook up the power. If you only want a diesel unit they have that. If you want to do multiple tanks they have one for 4 tanks.I personally cannot tell you how well they work yet, but other have reported excellent results.

 

[Tim Leighton]

WHY BOTHER?

Joe, et. al: Steve has always been the "guru" for H31 questions around here and I'm sure his install of the tank gauge is going to work like a fine swiss watch....and probably cost a pretty penny. I'm CHEAP (or as I say...frugal!) and simply keep a (fairly) accurate engine log. The 2GMF burns just a bit over 1/3 gal. of fuel per hr. I err on the conservative side and us 1/2 gal/hr when computing fuel use. With the standard 16 gal tank that came w/ the boat, that obviously equates to around 32 hours of motoring before you even get close to the sludge at the bottom of the tank. I've never run out of fuel (OK, once, but that was a different story!!!....) and never had to put a hole in my tank, run wires, etc. Obviously your choice. Steve's is more accurate and certainly sexier (can we say that here?), but as long as my math is accurate (OOPS!), my system works fine. Good luck!Tim (S/V "TIDE") Chesapeake Bay

 

[Don]

Use a stud finder

If you can get down into the starboard lazerette, a cheap stud finder works like a dream. That's what I did and it gave me the necessary level of comfort. (That was, of course, before I got fat this winter. But I also sold my 31, so I don't have to loose it now.)I agree that Steve's setup will be equivalent to a Boeing Aircraft rig. But ask Steve anything about the 31 and he can probably help to give you a benchmark.

 

[Jim]

Flashlight

Shine a good flashlight on the side of the tank and you can see the fuel level right threw the plastic tank, especially easy when it is dark.