I would like to add a gasoline fuel tank under the helm seat. Has anyone done this and how with what tank?
Install gas tank under helm seat
- Thread starter Jay Smith
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We use two portable tanks
We happen to have Honda brand portable gas tanks. A six gallon and three gallon tank wedge perfectly into the space under the helm seat so that there is no side-to-side shifting when the boat heels. There are several advantages to the portables. We have an "emergency" three gallon reserve tank, we can take the tanks out for refilling (easier in our case than going to a dock for fuel), and it is easy to drain the portables into the tow vehicle at year-end. I know this isn't what you were after, but thought it might be worth considering. Good luck with your project.
We happen to have Honda brand portable gas tanks. A six gallon and three gallon tank wedge perfectly into the space under the helm seat so that there is no side-to-side shifting when the boat heels. There are several advantages to the portables. We have an "emergency" three gallon reserve tank, we can take the tanks out for refilling (easier in our case than going to a dock for fuel), and it is easy to drain the portables into the tow vehicle at year-end. I know this isn't what you were after, but thought it might be worth considering. Good luck with your project.
Same here
We use the exact same arrangement - a six gallon generic tank from West Marine with the 3 gallon tank that came with the outboard, giving us many hours of running time. They fit beautifully together. I particularly like it because it gives me the option this winter to fiberglas in some shelf rests above them and store some spare hardware.
We use the exact same arrangement - a six gallon generic tank from West Marine with the 3 gallon tank that came with the outboard, giving us many hours of running time. They fit beautifully together. I particularly like it because it gives me the option this winter to fiberglas in some shelf rests above them and store some spare hardware.
Kinda like this....
A pic of my old approach. We've since added a 9gal along with the 3gal and have 1gal reserve too, all under the seat. I tend to err on the side of caution since we do more extended runs than most. A run to the keys still has me carrying two addl 5s' to get me home incase I hit the mother of all doldrums.
The orig 6&3 are the best/simplest arrangement for most.
Michael
A pic of my old approach. We've since added a 9gal along with the 3gal and have 1gal reserve too, all under the seat. I tend to err on the side of caution since we do more extended runs than most. A run to the keys still has me carrying two addl 5s' to get me home incase I hit the mother of all doldrums.
The orig 6&3 are the best/simplest arrangement for most.
Michael
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I installed a 12 gallon
permanent tank under the seat in my 98 260. I got the tank at Defender, I don't remember which model. It fits snugly in the space and I installed the filler in the round area under the seat lid on the port rear side. I believe that this is where Hunter puts the filler on its optional inboard diesel models. I also installed a fuel guage with a push button next to it. Like George, a false floor above the tank will still give you plenty of storage room there. I keep my 3rd anchor and rode there as well as up to 5 1lb. propane bottles there along with some misc. stuff. The filler hose is pretty much a straight shot which makes it easy to siphon out fuel for winter storage.
permanent tank under the seat in my 98 260. I got the tank at Defender, I don't remember which model. It fits snugly in the space and I installed the filler in the round area under the seat lid on the port rear side. I believe that this is where Hunter puts the filler on its optional inboard diesel models. I also installed a fuel guage with a push button next to it. Like George, a false floor above the tank will still give you plenty of storage room there. I keep my 3rd anchor and rode there as well as up to 5 1lb. propane bottles there along with some misc. stuff. The filler hose is pretty much a straight shot which makes it easy to siphon out fuel for winter storage.
BEWARE! Propane is heavier than air
Reudi, I've read it's a REAL bad idea to store propane anywhere it can't "drain" overboard. Since it's heavier than air, it can collect in the bilge & ignite from any spark. Gasoline, on the other hand, will "float out" when it evaporates.
If anyone can refute this suggestion, please do so, but I think I am recalling the info correctly.
On our 23.5, I store my little green bottles in the stbd cockpit locker where the gasoline tank is. Figure I might as well keep all the explosives in one place! It doesn't drain out, but at least it's not down below.
Reudi, I've read it's a REAL bad idea to store propane anywhere it can't "drain" overboard. Since it's heavier than air, it can collect in the bilge & ignite from any spark. Gasoline, on the other hand, will "float out" when it evaporates.
If anyone can refute this suggestion, please do so, but I think I am recalling the info correctly.
On our 23.5, I store my little green bottles in the stbd cockpit locker where the gasoline tank is. Figure I might as well keep all the explosives in one place! It doesn't drain out, but at least it's not down below.
Thats why I store it there
along with the gasoline. It is outside the boat wide open to the transom.
along with the gasoline. It is outside the boat wide open to the transom.
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