Tanks: Water vs Fuel for a 37' O'Day CC

[billybob]

I am currently repowering a 37' O'day center cockpit. I am cleaning up the engine compartment and laying it out as best I can to make it easier to maintain the Yanmar that is going in. I bought the boat with no engine or fuel tank. The battery tray was also gutted out.

My issue is that if I mount the gas tank in a small space adjacent to the engine (starboard side 16" x 42" shelf), the tank will make it difficult to access the starboard side of the engine.

On this model O'day it has two water holding tanks that are on the port and starboard sides inside the engine compartment. They are butted up against the side of the hull. They hold 75 gallons each and are tied together, so they drain simultaneously.

What I am thinking of doing is removing the starboard tank and replacing it with a 50 gallon diesel fuel tank. This gives me more space and flexibility on what to use the new shelf for. Right now it would seem that 75 gallons would be sufficient water capacity for coastal use.

My only reservations are that I may throw the balance of the boat off as I burn off fuel and or that I might regret losing the 75 gallon capacity.

Would appreciate any feedback regarding this issue.

Thanks

 

[RAD]

I have the little sister 32 and I believe the engine room is the same or very similar and I replaced all tankage on the shelf so it goes like this....port side 23 gallon waste,25 gallon water right behind the waste and starboard side 24 gallon fuel, now I could have gotten a larger fuel tank but for the inland cruising that I do but I felt 24 was just enough. (I burn .75 gal per hr with a 30 hp westerbeke)
I have just enough room right behind that fuel tank for a 5 gallon diesel container which is used for spare fuel and just in case I have a bad tank of fuel I could slip the fuel supply hose right into the portable.
And I can just squeeze into the starboard lazarett to access the starboard side of my engine as a matter of fact I stand on the corner of the fuel tank as I'm descending
also my battery's are between the shelf and the engine on both sides
I'll take some pic's for you to get an idea and look at the link for tank options

http://www.tank-depot.com/

 

[Régis]

The engine room of 37 is so wide and longer than the 32. On my 37 is my fuel tank on the starboard side under the trunk and do not make difficulties to access the side of the starboard engine. I also have my two water tanks, one to starboard and the other to port. My battery pack is in a compartment under the stairs between the fridge and two sinks .. I like to take this great reserve of water which is useful in large vessels. I would rather have fuel reserve on deck to have reserve of water. I think I have the best of two worlds. Bye Régis

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