Replacing Both Fuel Tanks w/a Single Tank?

afglobemaster

Hey guys. I have some pin-hole leaks on one of the tanks on the CC Venture I just purchased, and the other one is probably pretty close to leaking (known before purchase). My mechanic friend suggested having a single large tank fabricated, to replace the two factory tanks. The single tank would be elevated to allow water drainage to the bilge area and also built lower profile to create storage space above the tank. The tank would obviously have to be removed to gain access to the bilge area.

Looking for pro/cons/opinions on doing this. Is there some specific reason why CD manufactures all boats with dual tanks?

Thanks

Joe

journey on · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 10:04 pm Post subject:

Well, the C-dory 25 has a single 100 gal. tank. Fits under the cockpit floor, with a few plastic strips to hold it up. It's impressive when you fill it up at todays prices. I'll bet the 26' Venture has a single tank also, though there's no guarantees there.

If you do put in a single tank, remember to put in baffles so you don't get surge. And the 25 has 2 fill & vent ports, both starboard and port.

Boris

ssobol · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:45 pm Post subject:

An advantage to separate tanks is that you can source the fuel in each tank from different places. This can limit the impact of getting a load of bad gas or having the fuel get contaminated or stale. You do have to stop twice for a full fuel load though.

My CD22 has two tanks and I tend to use all the fuel in one tank and switch to the other. Since we don't usually go out for more than 2-3 days at time. We don't usually use more than one tank of gas per outing. So it kind of works out that I'm only putting gas in one tank at a time.

Also, if one tank leaks out, you only lose half your fuel (if both have fuel in them).

AK Angler · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 3:33 am Post subject:

The bilge pump resides in the space between the tanks, does it not? I would think that one would need to keep that safety item accessible...

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 12:20 pm Post subject:

Many of the new C Dory 22s have the factory pump just inside of the cabin door, since that is the low point when the boat is in the water. I agree that it is nice to have a pump aft, so when the boat is on a plane, that you can pump out any water which comes into the cockpit. But it would be easy to put a fiberglass bulkhead in front of the tank and a bilge pump there.

Some of the earlier C Dory 22 had a large single tank aft. It was over 50 gallons--and there may have been several configurations. As I recollect one boat I looked at have over 75 gallons in the single aluminum tank.

neblig · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2014 1:06 pm Post subject:

Consider plastic or fiberglass tanks as replacement. Even with flow meters/gages/engine consumption tracking/NMEA2000 stuff, there is no better comfort than being able to eyeball your fuel level. Aluminum doesn't offer that.
Enjoy the boat.
Rob