replacement fuel tanks

Jake B · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:23 am Post subject: replacement fuel tanks

so my boat has the 18 gallon tanks. and for this year I will make due with them as theres a lot of other stuff ahead of these on the list. but I am going to be wanting bigger/ more fuel capacity will newer dory fuel tanks swap out or what have others replaced with? i would like to get 60 gallons if not more. I already have 2 portable tanks that add 10 gallons total between the two current tanks. looking for more capacity. thanks

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:52 am Post subject:

Where are you trying to go to? After a certain point that much gas/weight is going to affect your performance. Have you looked into roll up bag tanks??

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 3:34 am Post subject:

There are two Moeller brand plastic tanks available that are ~23 gallons each and were/are used in new C-Dory 22 Cruisers. I see that you want more than 46 gallons, but these do fit into the usual location beneath the splashwell. I found the tank information in the (fantastic) archives here, and then made some phone calls to inquire as to availability, because I'm considering replacing my tanks.

The part numbers are as follows:

Moeller FT 2339 = starboard tank
Moeller FT 2340 = port tank

I spoke with Moeller and they confirmed that these are current part numbers and that they own the rights to make the tanks. They said that the way to order them is to go through a Moeller dealer (as opposed to ordering directly from Moeller). There seem to be quite a few dealers, including large places such as Fisheries Supply. I got the impression that they are a non-custom tank but that they don't typically have them just lying around but rather make them as necessary. I also spoke with the folks at Triton and they will sell them directly as parts.

I haven't yet decided whether to get new tanks at all (I have the 20-gallon "white" plastic tanks), but if I do I would choose these Moeller tanks for an "easy" installation. (Saddle tanks seem like they might be a good option but would be more involved as they'd need to be designed and fabricated, etc.)

I have sketches of the tanks (also found here in the archives) which I'll see if I can add here - since I can't remember whose album I found them in. I believe they would fit in any 1987 or newer 22, but of course you'd want to make sure.

Sunbeam Hot

Here are the drawings:

thataway · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 12:51 pm Post subject:

Some of the boats have had semi custom aluminum tanks, which fill all of the area under the splash well. I believe that with this large single tank, or perhaps tanks which butt against each other, will give you that 60 gallons.

Another option is under gunnel tanks. This has the advantage of putting weight further forward, and two more tanks, which can or can not be used as you need to carry more fuel. The disadvantage is cost, and weight higher in the boat--perhaps some space taken up.

Also a single tank in the middle can increase your capacity, but probably not from 36 to 60 gallons.

Also slow down to 4 knots and get MPG down...with the longer range. When we are cruising long distances and need longer range, we often down down to very low hull speed.

Jake B · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 1:11 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the above info with that I should be able to make something work. And the reason for the more fuel is for going offshore tuna fishing with the 1/3 rule my current set up leaves me short on fuel.

berryst · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject:

The problem as I see it with big tanks as I see it is that you have to use the fuel or it gets old. Sometimes with big tanks this is an issue especially when putting her away for winter. Yes, there is additives and there is fuel management. I try to use the oldest fuel first.
What I have done is added four 6 gallon tanks. These are placed immediately forward of the existing tanks. They are ratcheted into place and are secure. The Ice chest is placed on top of the four tanks and held in place with a ratcheting strap. Its far from perfect and honestly I would like to have a custom tanks but I can't justify the expense.
I figure 48 gallon capacity is enough...that's a range of 288 miles or so.
For most cruising I just don't need em and they live in the garage.
Chris

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:53 pm Post subject:

If its for tuna then I think the roll up tanks would be great. set it on the floor and use it first for the run out. then roll it up and put it way, on the roof. Now you have the cockpit free to fish.

texasair · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 6:45 pm Post subject:

I have just installed a pair of 35 gallon custom aluminum tanks for 70 gallon capacity. Don't see a big effect on performance. Recently finished a 350 mile trip fully loaded and everything went well. Boat planes out and we can get the nose down when we want to.

Don't have trim tabs, Do have a perma-trim and transom wedges.

They extend sightly into the cockpit. We put no slip on and use it as a step.
Photos # 29 and 32 in album

Tanks cut and formed at a fab shop, welded by local welder, fittings from Aircraft Spruce supply. If I remember, I have about 750 in the pair.

Jake B · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject:

I will look into the roll down tanks. Have not heard about them before. Thanks for the info!

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:48 pm Post subject:

http://www.rusinflex.com/boat.html

Just one source

KickerDRB · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:13 am Post subject:

I have the stock 18's they do not come close to giving us a good three day weekend range. To up capacity I use two 15 gallon totes/drums that have a vented cap and pick up tube. I connect them to the other side of the racor with quick connects and a line with a squeeze bulb. They take up some room in the cockpit but when empty fit in the dink or on the swim step, or get tied on the arch. They are portable, can be used to balance the boat and can stay home if not needed.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

Just to correct a data point so some future searcher is not left wondering:

I thought I had the stock 20-gallon tanks, and I was measuring to make sure a set of new, 23-gallon tanks would fit. I was pleased to see I would have a few more inches of open space between the tanks. Then I was pleased to see I would have plenty of clearance on top for the port lazarette through-hull. Then I noticed slightly smaller measurement in another dimension... Hmm, how is this possible? Bigger tanks that are smaller?

I finally noticed there was a paper label on the top of both of my current (stock) tanks.... 25 gallons each. Duh! The manufacturer name was a bit hard to read but it was something like "Wavland" in Burlington, WA. So, just for the record, those tanks were used in at least one 2002 22-footer.

Sunbeam

Adeline · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject:

Just to muddy up the waters a bit more...

Examine the "Revisions" in Sunbeam's images...

3 - "Reduce height 1.00"

Does that change account for the 2 gallon reduction in capacity from 25 to 23 ?

It seems that these tanks varied in dimensions/capacity/fittings over time.

Were there "ISSUES" with the 25s that spurred the change to 23 ?

I examined my tanks.

Starboard - FT2536 - 25 gallons - Mfg Date - 11/11/04

Port - FT2537 - 25 Gallons - Mfg Date - 11/16/04

Mine are still awaiting installation.

I never got around to the big Alaska trip I'd dreamed of.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:45 pm Post subject:

In reading older posts on fuel tanks, I noticed quite a few references to problems with 25-gallon tanks. What I don't know was which manufacturer(s)' tanks were being referred to.

For example, there was apparently a time when C-Dory switched from 25-gallon tanks to 23-gallon tanks because of quality control problems with the 25-gallon tank builder. To me that suggests a change of tank company, not just a change of specs with the same company, but I don't know for sure. Some C-Brats got (or found out they could only get) 23-gallon tanks when they were expecting 25-ers, and that was the reasoning given.

In another thread I read where a Brat had problems with 25-gallon tanks leaking, and it turned out to be metal fittings that were "permanently" (i.e. by the tank maker) installed in the tank but had apparently been over-torqued and so had cracked, and then if I remember correctly there was some acknowledgement that other similar problems had inspired a change in manufacturer.

I'm not sure why the 1" reduction or if that reduced 25 gallons to 23, but some of the other changes noted looked like relatively common ones (they evolve, a different fitting placement or size becomes more desirable to match something downstream, etc.). I did get the feeling that at least one of the moves from 25 to 23 was due to a change in manufacturer, so it's interesting to see that you have Moeller 25-gallon tanks (who make the 23-er now). I wonder if your tank matches all the dimensions listed save for being 1" taller?

icewater · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 2:41 am Post subject: Moeller saddle tanks

I just added the 2 Moeller 24 gal saddle tanks to my Classic. Haven't used them yet- and not a perfect fit. I had to build a base for them out of 1X4 ripped on an angle to make the base fit against the sides. However, once I got the base fiberglassed, set up very nice. Gives me lots of fuel and frees up the cockpit.