Fuel Tank Capacity

[rickuk3]

I will be fitting a new under deck fuel tank or tanks to the Sea Harrier and I am trying to decide on the total capacity I should go for. Sugestions appreciated on what you feel the max & min capacity for a 6.4M rib with something like a 150hp opti on the back should be?
Richard

[Searider]

I have a 160 litre tank in my Scorpion.

Generally big enough but could have done with a bit more capacity when going the the Scillies from Falmouth.

60 miles each way with a 30 mile blast on the middle day would have only left me with about 10 litres on return to Falmouth - so had to buy some there.

On the other hand I like to keep the tank full ish to reduce the potential for condensation and it does seem a waste to carry all that weight around!

How far you need to go between fill-ups will determine how much you need to carry.

Regards

[Hightower]

Depends on the range you want to cover. If you're going to potter around the Solent all your life then 100 litres would be fine, for a Channel crossing I would be happier with 200 litres. I would guess that 150 would be a good compromise.

I'm having a 200 litre one fitted to the Vipermax. Someone did say (Pete 7 I think) that I would be running heavy all the time though, as you'll keep topping it up everytime you plonk her in the water.

I guess he could be right!

[rickuk3]

My initial thoughts were to fit 2 independant tanks of between 100-125 ltr each. For pottering around just fill 1 but for long distance trips fill both, is this a good or bad idea?
Richard

[Nos4r2]

Personally I wouldn't unless I could make them removable to flush and drain them. (condensation problems etc from empty tanks.)

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by rickuk3

My initial thoughts were to fit 2 independant tanks of between 100-125 ltr each. For pottering around just fill 1 but for long distance trips fill both, is this a good or bad idea?
Richard

I recon that would be a bad one as a fitted tank option as one of the tanks might well be empty for a longish period of time and might well present moisture/water problems.

If you did want to persue a two tank option then a main built in tank with a portable tank might be the answer.

[Tim M]

Surly as long as you have some decent filters and water seperators condensation shouldn't be too much of a problem?

[Hightower]

One advantage of two built in tanks is that if you had one fitted forward and the other midships then you could alter ballast for predicted conditions and load carrying.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Surly as long as you have some decent filters and water seperators condensation shouldn't be too much of a problem?

That's a very good point. I'm just paranoid about sucking the crap that sits in the bottom of tanks into the carbs. God knows where some of it comes from.

[Hightower]

When I cleaned my Tank out in Kohaku I found no "crap" at all, probably the only time it had ever been inspected since installation.