Hey guys, has anyone had an aux fuel tank installed on there 226/228 seafarer. Was thinking of having one added or maybe have an on deck tank with some type of quick connect to the motor. The latter being the cheaper way but maybe not the safest. Any info is greatly appreciated. Tight lines everyone the seasons is days away.
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Aux fuel tank.
- Thread starter NDORADO
- Start date
gradyfish22
GreatGrady Captain
Are you planning to sue it to run offshore, assuming due to your local your looking to maybe run the mudhole and further points? An in deck tank is best, but as mentioned will cost more, and will have the biggest effect on ride due to location, it also is more maintenace since you need to now run that fuel and keep it fresh, and not let it sit to long, especially empty unless you want water to build inside the tank. I'm sure Grady could send you their aux tank and place it right in, or you could have a custom one made for probably around the same price and maybe squeeze in a few more gal. An on deck tank will cost a little less and quick disconnects make it easy to use, problem is storing them after you run them dry. Always run a bladder tank first, for starters you do this to obtain your best performance, the location and weight of a bladder tank will hurt you, but some aux tanks do as well since they are so far fwd on smaller boats. You could roll and store the bladder tank forward on the walkaround but I could highly recommend getting a cover for it to keep salt spray off it during the ride in. I know a buddy who runs a 29 welcraft and he has a 100gal bladder tank, quick disconnects make it super easy to attach, easy to switch on when needed and low maintenace since the tank is stored at home off the boat away from harsh conditions when not used, also keeps the boat lighter for typical use and was much cheaper initial cost. Down side to a bladder tank is life span is typically not as long as a permanent tank under the deck, but that is assuming the deck is sealed well and corrosion is not eating away at that tank as well.
If you plan to use the boat a lot and see need for the extra fuel and will see it as something you will use for maybe 8-10 years, maybe the in deck tank is the way to go. If your looking at maybe 2-3 trips a season and don't know how long you will hold onto the boat before you might upgrade in size, the bladder would surely be cheaper and suit your needs.
Also consider where you will store the tank after it is used and if this hinders how you plan to use it. You might be able to have a nice storage compartment built where the aux tank would do in deck and have a drop in bid and put it there, and then put in buckets and cleaning supplies when your not running further distances and carrying the extra tank.
If you plan to use the boat a lot and see need for the extra fuel and will see it as something you will use for maybe 8-10 years, maybe the in deck tank is the way to go. If your looking at maybe 2-3 trips a season and don't know how long you will hold onto the boat before you might upgrade in size, the bladder would surely be cheaper and suit your needs.
Also consider where you will store the tank after it is used and if this hinders how you plan to use it. You might be able to have a nice storage compartment built where the aux tank would do in deck and have a drop in bid and put it there, and then put in buckets and cleaning supplies when your not running further distances and carrying the extra tank.
BobP
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BobP
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Hey guys thanks for the replies. i figure with about 25-30 gallons i should be o.k. Just purchased a house in Tuckerton beach, nj so i will be using the boat alot more. I will be doing some offshoe\re fishing on those good days. I've done the mudhole for shark about 40 miles from sandy hook, no trolling though and have returned with 1/2 tank left. (92 original gallons). I think the 20-30 gallon hard fuel tank with quick disconnect would work and enable me some trolling for bluefin and mahi. If i could go less it would mean less mweight also but im not sure.
gradyfish22
GreatGrady Captain
Personally I'd opt against a hard tank on deck, and I'm not sure it meets regulations for safety. You would need a bladder tank to safely do it right, they cost more but are safer, and can be rolled and stored after, the hard tank will take up way too much space. I would highly advise against storing it in the cabin, that means fumes in there and if you have curtains up around the helm they will be stuck in there and you will be breathing them in. On the bow, a tank that size would be too large to see well and would not be my top choice, plus lugging it forward and back after a run and then moving it out of the pit to open up room to troll is going to be a pita, and leaving a hard tank in the cockpit takes up valuable space you cannot afford to loose when bluewater fishing. Personally I think using a hard tank on deck would be a mistake, it takes up too much space and would be in the way. If your talking a tank on deck I would only recommend and consider a soft bladder tank.
As a side note, not sure what engine your running, but I run 45+ miles to the mud hole and troll all day and burn under 100 gal typically while running twin F225's, you should be able to safely run 45 miles and troll all day on your size tank if your running the right prop and running at a cruise speed on the way in and out, if you'd feel safer, go with a soft bladder tank with quick disconnect, gives you the added fuel you want and stores out of the way and rolled up when empty giving you a much more open boat that you can work a lot easier. When fishing offshore you want as little in your way as possible, a hard tank would be in the way no matter where it would be.
As a side note, not sure what engine your running, but I run 45+ miles to the mud hole and troll all day and burn under 100 gal typically while running twin F225's, you should be able to safely run 45 miles and troll all day on your size tank if your running the right prop and running at a cruise speed on the way in and out, if you'd feel safer, go with a soft bladder tank with quick disconnect, gives you the added fuel you want and stores out of the way and rolled up when empty giving you a much more open boat that you can work a lot easier. When fishing offshore you want as little in your way as possible, a hard tank would be in the way no matter where it would be.
BobP
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As an altenative to GGfish22, you can use the walkaround on one side or both (unless you need to get to the bow), to line up 6 gal portable poly tanks, did it for many years on my 204C. I tied off the last in the string to the gunnel cleat to keep them all from sliding to aft.
Still have those five tanks I bought for 12 bucks each.
As soon as you use up the 25 - 30 gals in ship's tank, you transfer the portable fuel to the ship's tank. Use a wide bore funnel, it goes right down, one, two, three. Takes some practice in moderate seas, I didn't spill any overboard.
Put the empty portable poly tanks back in the walkaround.
Or you can get an above deck larger single poly tank. Don't know if it will fit in the walkaround, out of the way. If you need both sides of the walkaround to fish , then you are stuck with something large in the cockpit taking up space which may not be acceptable. The portable tanks can go in the cockpit too, and you may be able to split them up and place them more conveniently.
The most costly option is the fixed aux tank.
Another case of economics, unless of no consideration, then solution is easy.
Still have those five tanks I bought for 12 bucks each.
As soon as you use up the 25 - 30 gals in ship's tank, you transfer the portable fuel to the ship's tank. Use a wide bore funnel, it goes right down, one, two, three. Takes some practice in moderate seas, I didn't spill any overboard.
Put the empty portable poly tanks back in the walkaround.
Or you can get an above deck larger single poly tank. Don't know if it will fit in the walkaround, out of the way. If you need both sides of the walkaround to fish , then you are stuck with something large in the cockpit taking up space which may not be acceptable. The portable tanks can go in the cockpit too, and you may be able to split them up and place them more conveniently.
The most costly option is the fixed aux tank.
Another case of economics, unless of no consideration, then solution is easy.