Fuel tank capacity for TC255??

Gene Morris · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject: Fuel tank capacity for TC255??

What is the fuel capacity of your Tom Cat? I noticed that the older literature on the TC stated 150 gal fuel cap.. The C-Dory web states 130gal. And I believe that mine is 130. Are the earlier hulls different?

Gene Morris

Brock · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject:

I have hull #16. 130 gallons.

Brock

Alok · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject:

Earlier hulls had 130 gallons capacity; this was subsequently increased to 150 gallons. I do not know exactly when the change was made, but I do know that Bob Austin has hull #39 with a fuel capacity of 150 gallons- so it must have been between #17 and #39.

Dreamer · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:16 am Post subject:

Hull #26, 150 gallons.

drjohn71a · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

Hull #75 ... one side took 62.5 gal, the other took 63 gal.... so a bit less than 130 total.

John

Brock · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

Wait a minute. I have always assumed that my tanks (hull #16) were 65 gallons each, based on the early literature and info provided by the dealer. Today I was replacing my fuel vents (the old vents inhaled water in heavy rain) and I noticed a white sticker on top of both tanks. Using a small mirror I was able to read clearly "capacity 75 gallons." I have never actually filled the tanks all the way (didn't want to take out a second mortgage) so I had just assumed they were 65 gallons each. Does a "75 gallon" tank only take on 65 gallons? Or do I really have 150 gallon capacity. I'm assuming it is more likely the latter. Some day I'll bite the bullet and fill them all the way.

Brock

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:33 pm Post subject:

I do not have a TC but remember a post about Thataway having fuel expand out of the vents and damaging the graphics. Make sure to leave plenty of room for expansion.

drjohn71a · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:45 am Post subject:

Jeff,

The fill, vent, and effluent lines have all been proportionately repositioned, so less chance of the overfill from expansion, but still there if overdone. Diesel seems to have alot more expansion problems than gasoline, though.

John

thataway · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:10 pm Post subject:

The first boats had 130 gallons, then 150 (Mine definately has 150, and I put in about 73 to 74 gallons per tank). I ran the boat 30 miles and still had an expansion problem on hot days. The initial fill was with the boat on the trailer. It is only the port side which overflows thru the vent line--I suspect that when the vent tube was welded in place, it was put further into the the tank, than being right at the surface. The fill and vent are both in the back of the tank--the vent should be in the front of the tank.

Later boats--and I don't know exactly when, boats only have 130 gallons.

So early and boats toward the end of 2006 have 130, the early part of 2006 have 150 gallons--my hull is #39 and was started about May 1, finished about June 1.

Gene Morris · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:25 am Post subject:

I receive a call from the factory yesterday. As That-A-Way states the first TC's were 130 gal then they switched to 150 gal capacity. This is great another 40 km range for only $75.00. Thanks for all the response the factory still shows 130 gal capacity on the web site.

Thanks again
Gene

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:31 am Post subject:

Gene,

Are you sure they have not changed it back to 130 gal? My boat was delivered empty (they say) and I put about 63 gal to full on each side.

John

Ron on Meander · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

Wow, I guess global warming has caused the Port of Edmonds and Friday Harbour to convert to Imperial now? JJ

Initial fill was at Edmonds.

John

Gene Morris · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:07 pm Post subject:

DrJohn;

My boat completed construction in Oct 2006. The factory guy said he is sure that all TCs built at that date or later would have 150 gal capacity. The only time that I filled the tanks I thought they were 65s. I will run my starboard tank near dry then fill, so that I would have confirmation of capacity.

Gene

drjohn71a · Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Gene,

I don't have my TomCat here and ready for the water yet, so can't experiment with that. The guy at the marina in Edmonds said C-Dory delivers their boats with empty tanks - I don't know if that is the case for certain. As mentioned, they filled with about 63 gallons apiece.

As such, they're either 130 total or about 10 gallons was in each tank at delivery... Interesting question.

As someone has mentioned, it is a bit dicey to run the tanks empty and then totally fill them, unless you're going on a long cruise or something.

I'll be waiting to see what you find out.

I am wondering where that sticker was that showed the total capacity. Do you think a guy coudl look at that without having to take the deck apart?

John