New C Dory owner here, fuel tank issue

[thataway]

It may also depend on what type of fuel water separator/filter you have. If it is a Sierra or Merc etc type, with no drain, then you need enough room to get a fairly good sized filter off.

If it is a Racor, with the clear plastic drain, you need to get a container under the drain to remove water/fuel. On my current boat the Racor is in the Stb. Lazarette. The disadvantage to this , is that in my boat the electrical bus bar, VSR, etc is in this same compartment.. It is ventilated, but there is always the possibility of fuel leak. We inspect the filter and open this lazarette before we start the engine each time, so that danger is minimal.

In my first 22--1992 vintage, the battery was in this lazarette. In the current boat, the batteries are between the fuel tanks.

 

[Sunbeam]

Okay, here is more on the filter/separator:

First, a photo of the unit the boat came with (I've since removed it and filled the holes in the transom). It was mounted to the inside of the transom between the fuel tanks. A couple of things I didn't like about it were that, one, it was larger than necessary, and two, it didn't have two ports on each side, so in order to get both fuel hoses to come off in the same direction an elbow/fitting arrangement was needed. Not tidy.



I decided to get a new unit. It's physically quite a bit smaller (yet still suitable), and it also has two ports on each side, so if both hoses come/go from the same direction there is no need for a fitting/elbow to bring the second one around.


Clothes-pin for scale:

The other side:



I think I'd like that center area between the fuel tanks "open," so I can just toss things in there without worrying about them contacting the filter. I could make a guard, but I think instead I'll probably put the new unit elsewhere.
Sunbeam :hot

 

[Emurph8]

Thanks for the pics and quick reply. Mine is similar to your new one, its has 4 ports and the plastic bowl but the metal filter is much bigger on mine. Does yours fit above your tank? Do you have to push it further aft to clear the tank? Is it hard to drain the fuel,from the bowl if its that close to the tank? Have you installed your tanks yet? I'm going to order the fiberglass angle and weld man foot loops. Wondering if that worked out for you?
Thanks

 

[Sunbeam]

I haven't mounted my filter or tanks yet - although I have mocked up countless arrangements :wink:

There seems to be plenty of room for the new filter above the starboard tank. It felt like it "fell into place" the easiest on the "side wall" that's common with the side of the motorwell (where my fuel-tank selector switch's backside is), in terms of fuel-line routing/etc. That would also keep it forward where it could be more easily reached.

Considerations are access for draining the bowl, and for changing the filter - and for some sort of catch pan beneath while you are working, since fuel can drip. It's possible you might need to access it underway.

Since I think I'm going to go with the hard panels "hiding" the tanks, I don't believe I'll put mine there, although I did consider it for awhile when I was thinking of a Sunbrella tank-hiding panel. I'm leaning toward basically the same spot but on the outside, in the motorwell. If I put it there I'll make a little "hat" for it out of Sunbrella - sort of like the winch covers you see on sailboats.

 

[bschell]

Sunbeam,Sunbeam,Sunbeam pick me up, this is Hunky Dory?

You mentioned that you replaced your translucent fuel tanks, is there something I need to know? I have the same setup and I do not need any problems while 40 miles out putting fish in the boat. Why did you replace your tanks?

Thanks, waiting for you reply

 

[Sunbeam]

You mentioned that you replaced your translucent fuel tanks, is there something I need to know? I have the same setup and I do not need any problems while 40 miles out putting fish in the boat. Why did you replace your tanks?

I didn't have one specific reason for replacing them -- it was more a number of factors added together:

1) I had read one or two posts wherein people with early 2000's tanks had problems with cracking (although I don't even know if they were the same brand as mine, and mine didn't show evidence of cracking once I got them out where I could see them.

2) Cleaning the tanks (fuel had been sitting in them for nearly ten years, unused), which I figured would be more easily accomplished if they were removed.

3) Replacing the hoses/clamps (which probably also meant removal).

4) Upgrading the tank cleat/hold-down system (which was screwed straight into the core - not good at all!), and figured might as well size the new cleats for the newer tanks.

5) Adding trim tabs, which would be easier with the tanks removed.

6) I wanted to install the solid cover panels that run up under the lip of the splashwell, for which shallower (fore-and-aft dimension) tanks are needed.

Because of all of the above, and because at the time I (temporarily) had good access to new tanks (didn't have to pay shipping), I decided to just go back in with new (but still translucent) tanks.

There were some disadvantages though:

1) Cost

2) 4 gallons less capacity

3) Less space between the tanks, for stowage (i.e. the area where the bilge sump is).

Sunbeam :hot

 

[Sunbeam]

Here is the fuel vent we switched to from West Marine, the switch did not require much to swap out.

That's a nice looking vent, and I wanted to switch to those for the fuel-tank vents on my 22 cruiser, BUT...

There is a minimum required height clearance as measured inside the boat from the center of the vent hole in the fiberglass. If I remember correctly it is 1-1/2". I found that there was not enough clearance on my 22 cruiser -- the hole/vent were placed high up, and there is not enough clearance to the underside of the gunwale.

I just wanted to come back to this thread to note that I believe I've found a solution to this problem. Here is a link to the details:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?p=232649#232649

 

[jimicliff]

I need some adult help on installing port & starboard tanks, I need model numbers of tanks and measurments for mounting brackets to hold the tanks. This is out of my skill level but my marina who I trust is willing to take on the project as long as I play along. My hull is an 04

 

[wolfman]

I don't like to screw into the deck so I have wooden furring strips glassed to the deck which eliminates the need to strap it down