What is the fuel level?

[BlindCat]

Hey out there,

I just got a 88 Beneteau First 285, and there is no fuel gauge.
How can you tell how much fuel you have?
Sure could use a bit of advice on this one.
Manual has very limited info on anything.

Thanks
Blind Cat

 

[mac1840]

The good news, it sips diesel. I had the same boat for years and bought a dowl to stick the depth of the tank. I cut small notches in the dowl to easily determine the level of fuel in the tank. If you open the access panel in the head, you'll find the stainless tank and the fuel shut off valve. Since the tank , fill line and deck plate are aligned, you can measure the distances from the inside the access panel to determine where you put your marks. I notched it in 1/4 full increments. Probably more accurate than the tank guage I have on my current boat.

Hope that helps. Great boat, enjoy!

Mac

 

[BlindCat]

The good news, it sips diesel. I had the same boat for years and bought a dowl to stick the depth of the tank. I cut small notches in the dowl to easily determine the level of fuel in the tank. If you open the access panel in the head, you'll find the stainless tank and the fuel shut off valve. Since the tank , fill line and deck plate are aligned, you can measure the distances from the inside the access panel to determine where you put your marks. I notched it in 1/4 full increments. Probably more accurate than the tank guage I have on my current boat.

Hope that helps. Great boat, enjoy!

Mac

Mac,
Thanks for the education.
I'll make a measure stick and see what I have left.

Thanks
BlindCat

 

[SoSound]

I use basically the exact same method. A dowel marked off in 1/4 tank increments. Fuel consumption is about 1/2 Gal per hour.

 

[BlindCat]

Soound and Mac,

Great idea, I made a stick just as you had described, did the measures, it works great. At least now I have an idea of where the level is.
Thanks a lot for the heads up

BlindCat