Increased fuel capacity for Beneteau 40CC

[jobberone]

We are looking at a '97 40CC and I don't like the 50 gal 'new' fuel tank capacity. Just me and the Admiral so we don't want to get too big to handle one handed or even two.

Is there a way to reasonably increase the fuel capacity of this boat safely, economically and without compromising say fresh water capacity?

Or should we just get a bigger boat?

Thanks

M

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I infer from your question you have no offshore sailing experience.

Why would you want to increase tank capacity as opposed to the typical alternatives?

 

[Rob2435]

At 1 gallon per hour, that's 50 hours at 7 knots appox 400 miles. I only have a 25 gallon tank and have never been that far away from a fuel stop, though, I only do coastal. Jerry cans?

 

[jobberone]

Right now the plan is to do the Carribean slowly working down to Panama then Costa Rica. So it will be possible to not need anything more and that's not too small for a 40 anyway.

The fresh water tanks hold 150 in three separate tanks. I'm not certain yet where they are located. Not sure if COG is a problem and/or just no space for it anyway.

 

[jobberone]

I infer from your question you have no offshore sailing experience.

Why would you want to increase tank capacity as opposed to the typical alternatives?

My sailing experience is limited. Most of my offshore experience is power.

What are the 'typical' alternatives besides portable containers?

 

[dparilla]

First remember to go sailing (takes no fuel to do that.) You could take 4 jerry cans for an extra 20 gallons if you really feel the need to. As for modifications you would have to take a close look at storage and tankage space to see if you could mount a second tank. You would then run a pump to refill your main tank.

On most production sailboats, it is nearly impossible to carry "enough" fuel to motor the whole way. Plan your route using a conservative sail estimate and you will arrive in high style. Two years back, I made the run from Norfolk to Long Island and used 5 gallons of diesel on the way (through Hell Gate mainly.) We averaged 5 knots and ran at no more than 50% throttle for a burn rate of about .5 gallons per hour.

 

[Ron20324]

The only time you can have "too much fuel" is when there's a fire. There are fuel bladders, like the water and holding tank ones, and they get secured to the deck usually. I've seen them in the back pages of some sailing magazines, or maybe google. If I see an ad, I'll come back and post it.

 

[sailaway78]

I can't imagine

I cannot imagine needing more than 50 gallons in a sailboat that size. The diesel is basically used for dead calm and docking.

 

[alexco38]

Bring a couple of jerry can with diesel.
I have yet to motor 50 hours straight.

 

[sailaway78]

In the past 10 years

The hardest I can remember running the diesel at one time, was about 10 hours. Got caught offshore in a pretty bad storm, and closest harbor was dead upwind.

 

[seadaddler]

Jerry Cans

Most of us just carry extra Jerry Cans on deck.
Nick

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nick, have you ever had to use them? If so, what were the circumstances?

 

[seadaddler]

All the time

Very first time was from Montauk,NY to Florida almost all off shore
for 9 days and since i have 6 of them when ever I go cruising for 3 weeks
I use 4 of them and 2 -5 gallon water jugs also and jerry jug for ouboard gas.
Nick

 

[Stu Jackson]

Jerry cans of fuel

Thanks, Nick, makes sense.

 

[Picflight]

I think that a sailboat has the sail power and should be able sail everywhere. A 40' boat should really move in calm winds too, sail it everywhere and when absolutely needed you have the auxiliary power.

Use the sails, sail it everywhere!

 

[sailaway78]

I regularly

I regularly am out and about for two to four weeks at a time, offshore as much as possible. As a normal rule I carry 10 gallons on deck. I have always had it, but never needed it.

 

[jobberone]

Thanks all. I understand under most situations you aren't going to use 50 gal of fuel in a passage with a small boat. I also agree with one there's no such thing as having too much fuel. It sounds as if a bladder or just cans is the more practical way if I feel I need more fuel. I just don't like to add more clutter on deck. I'm looking at another couple of boats with about 75 gals which I like. Obviously a lot more goes into deciding on a boat than fuel capacity.

 

[Ron20324]

I believe the bladder is flat-out, meant to be tied down, say, on the cabin top.

 

[jobberone]

I believe the bladder is flat-out, meant to be tied down, say, on the cabin top.

This sounds more interesting to me. Thanks.

We just need to get a boat and start sailing again. The Admiral is a better sailor and me a navigator. It'll be fun if we get the right boat we can one hand, is safe, and sails well enough for our purposes. And has AC.

 

[Bob 04 H260]

We just did a cruise in the Bahamas this winter. I don't think we saw any sailboats without jerry jugs of fuel and water on the deck. It seems island hopping motorsailing is done more than half the time in order to make an anchorage before dark. It is not uncommon for marinas to run out of fuel, and the more remote you go the fewer and smaller the marinas are.
We have a 38 gal fuel tank and the most we ever needed was 13 gallons but still felt better with a few jugs of diesel on the deck.

just my limited experience, Bob