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So, which one do you trust your computer or fuel gauge?
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Posts: 569
City/Region: Destin, Florida
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2017
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:07 am    Post subject: So, which one do you trust your computer or fuel gauge? Reply with quote

I'm heading back from Pensacola Beach, FL to Blue Water Bay Marina about 50ish miles and I notice my fuel gauge showing empty. I added enough fuel to make it there and back, I thought. I'm still getting used to the boat.



Fuel gauge shows empty but computer shows 32.9 gallons. The computer has been dead on when filling up so I trusted the computer. I didn't have to call SeaTow so I made the right decision.

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2017 25 Cruiser 200 Yamaha (2017-present)


Last edited by ken35216 on Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:14 am; edited 1 time in total
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Posts: 569
City/Region: Destin, Florida
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2017
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote



Here is the data for the last 260 miles. It shows 89.9 gallons used and that's about 2.89 miles per gallon. Which is about right for the last year. I added 20 gallons before the trip so the remaining fuel should be right BUT the fuel gauge showing empty was still a little disconcerting.
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BillE



Joined: 09 Jun 2016
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City/Region: Nashville
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C-Dory Year: 2004
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: TBD
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken yesterday my Garmin was showing that I was heading East while my compass pointed North, and neither one ever showed NorthEast. I followed the river so it didn't matter but that did bring up some trust issues with my instruments.
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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City/Region: Sequim
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In my case, (a 05 22 Cruiser) my gas guages are the tanks themselves, poly, and able to see the fuel level inside the tank. In your case, if the computer has been right before, I woul tend to follow that. It could be that the fuel guage sensor and fuel pick-up are in the same place on the tank, and maybe not. Also the attitude, (for and aft or side to side tilt) of the boat could affect the guage reading. As you learn to know the boat you will become more comfortable with what it is telling you, and able to make better decisions as you go.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

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BrentB



Joined: 15 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Yamaha fuel meter and trust it and a fuel gauge over the fuel tank sender.
































y




















yI

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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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City/Region: Pensacola
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With a newish boat--I would be checking the connections on the sender and gauge units...suspect if showing empty, with the amount of known fuel. (Or unless someone stole the fuel!!!--always a possibility!
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Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
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JamesTXSD



Joined: 01 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We had a Navman fuel flow meter on our 25 - it was always within a gallon of what it took at the fuel pump. The fuel gauge... not as accurate. Over the years, I knew what we'd average for fuel burn, so I could hit it reasonably close from the hour meter, as well.
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gulfcoast john



Joined: 14 Dec 2012
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Vessel Name: Cat O' Mine
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ken,
disconnect and sand til bright the pink and black wires (and maybe blue) going into your analog fuel gauge and the pink wire on your fuel tank sender. Good call trusting the digital inputs instead.
Next time you're that close to our marina (Sherman Cove aboard NAS Pensacola) give us a holler. However, tonight we're aboard Ft Knox enroute to the Geogian Bay, 30,000 Islands/Trent Severn Waterway Adventure by car.

We asked to see the total bullion gold reserves for ourselves just to make sure it was really here, but They said No.
Maybe a Brat with higher Retired rank will have better luck than us.

Cheers!
John

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2010 Tom Cat 255, Cat O' Mine
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localboy



Joined: 30 Sep 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 9:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The gas gauge on our boat is far from accurate, but it's still something better than guess-timating.
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In the airlines, we had to "dipstick" the tanks if any of the fuel gauges were not working. (But all other gauges had to work. Ie, if the fuel gauge for that tank was out of order, then we had to have an operating totalizer gauge and fuel flow gauge. IOW, two of the three had to work, or the plane was grounded). That being said, like Hardee, my boat has a plastic tank so it's a simple matter of turning around and looking backwards to know my fuel level! Mr. Green In your case, I'd still be a bit nervous with one gauge reading empty while another showed fuel.... unless you could "stick" the tank. Colby Razz
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cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

colbysmith wrote:
In the airlines, we had to "dipstick" the tanks if any of the fuel gauges were not working. (But all other gauges had to work. Ie, if the fuel gauge for that tank was out of order, then we had to have an operating totalizer gauge and fuel flow gauge. IOW, two of the three had to work, or the plane was grounded). That being said, like Hardee, my boat has a plastic tank so it's a simple matter of turning around and looking backwards to know my fuel level! Mr. Green In your case, I'd still be a bit nervous with one gauge reading empty while another showed fuel.... unless you could "stick" the tank. Colby Razz


The maritime industry is also a big fan of simple methods like this. I've been meaning to buy a wood dowel to notch and use for this purpose. My analog gauges work fine, but my honda digital display says full when full and shows empty after about an hour of running on a full tank.

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cmetzenberg



Joined: 04 Jan 2014
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 9:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BillE wrote:
Ken yesterday my Garmin was showing that I was heading East while my compass pointed North, and neither one ever showed NorthEast. I followed the river so it didn't matter but that did bring up some trust issues with my instruments.


how fast were you moving?
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PaulNBriannaLynn



Joined: 26 Oct 2012
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I love those clear tanks. Nothing to fail or misinterpret.
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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City/Region: Sequim
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C-Dory Year: 2005
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Photos: SleepyC
PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

PaulNBriannaLynn wrote:
I love those clear tanks. Nothing to fail or misinterpret.


Amen. Thumbs Up

"Sticking" a tank on a C-Dory would, I would think, be difficult due to the filler opening not directly over the tank and the up curve and vent in the line. Maybe the TomCat has better access to the tanks.

John, sounds like retirement is working out well for you. Travel safe.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon
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ken35216



Joined: 12 Mar 2013
Posts: 569
City/Region: Destin, Florida
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2017
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Lady Onyx
Photos: ken35216
PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gulfcoast john wrote:
Ken,
disconnect and sand til bright the pink and black wires (and maybe blue) going into your analog fuel gauge and the pink wire on your fuel tank sender. Good call trusting the digital inputs instead.
Next time you're that close to our marina (Sherman Cove aboard NAS Pensacola) give us a holler. However, tonight we're aboard Ft Knox enroute to the Geogian Bay, 30,000 Islands/Trent Severn Waterway Adventure by car.

We asked to see the total bullion gold reserves for ourselves just to make sure it was really here, but They said No.
Maybe a Brat with higher Retired rank will have better luck than us.

Cheers!
John


It was a working trip for me or I would have contacted you and Dr Bob. I was working a convention at the Hilton and rather then get a room I took my boat and stayed at Peg Legs/La Fitte Cove Marina. Cool place!!
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