Conference vicki::boats

    While I do not know the exact rules about adding tanks I would say
    that besides safty you must think about the trim of the boat and
    how it will ride when that new tank is filled. If you have tabs
    you can probably compensate for it but if not you may be running
    bow down. I suppose you would only fill this tank when you really
    will need it, since 80 gallons should handle most day trips. If
    you really only need in once in long while, then carry a couple
    of jugs...many a boat has run to the canyons with 4 or more of these
    to top off the tanks on the way home...
    
    Bruce

    
    	I know some manufacturers actually put tanks in the bow. A
    former member of this notesfile, Dan Sullivan, had a 19' Larson
    with the onboard tank mounted up front. It also helped the boat
    to plane when pulling skiers.

    Rick

    Best check with the Coast Guard for specifics of a bow mounted tank.
    
    A couple of considerations are:
    
    Any addition or modification of your fuel system deserves careful
    planning for a secure mount (don't want it bashing about....the
    bow generally has far greater motion and shock loading than a position
    close to the boat center of gravity), full ventilation (remember
    the gasoline fumes are heaver than air and will settle in a vee
    berth area....likely means having only spark proof electricals such
    as switches and motors/blowers), static protection grounds and
    if you are considering permanent fuel lines, the routing and protection
    of the line pose additional thought.
    
    It's rather far fetched, but I would wonder about added risk during
    a bow-on collison especially without added structural support around
    the tank.
    
    Just be careful!
    Jerry
    

   RE: 
 >> I have no room under the deck but need more fuel and thought
 >> I would put a tank under the V-bunk is this ok by coast guard rules?
 

I don't know whether the Coasties would approve of this or not, but
common sense dictates that it should be a no-no.  You are looking to
store gasoline in the passenger compartment of a 27' boat, which I
ass-u-me will at times be ocupied by people. People who may light
up a butt, switch on a light, turn on a stove, etc.

I believe that the previous replies which mention boats that have tanks
under the bow are talking about open boats, with below decks areas that
are used strictly for storage of life jackets etc..  This is a totally
different situation from a 27' cruiser.  In an enclosed boat, gasoline
fumes can accumulate from a leaky or improperly vented tank, worn or
cracked fuel lines, spilled fuel from overfilling or sloshing.  This
can cause an explosion and fire that you will not be likely to forget,
if you manage to survive.

A few years ago some guy made an ocean crossing an 18' or 20' outboard
powered boat, with the boat being almost a floating fuel tank.  One of
his biggest fears during the entire voyage was the threat of fire.

In your case the convenience of extra fuel may not be worth the risk
if the only place to store it is in the cabin.  Have you checked with
Silverton to see what their recomendations are?  Maybe they know of
a safer place for your extra fuel.

Just my $.02 worth.

Rick W.

    Thanks for the help, maybe the best bet is to LIVE with what I have
    and not take any chances.
    
    Thanks 
    Tom

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SITBUL::FYFE                                         36 lines  15-MAY-1991 15:11
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    I have a 1973 Glastron 16.5 run-about with a closed bow. It has a
    70hp outboard on the back.
    
    I currently carry between 2 and 3 6-gallon fuel tanks in the aft 
    compartment (depending on the days activities).
    
    What I need is a sanity check.
    
    I would like to put a fuel tank in the bow, perhaps 15 gals.,under the 
    deck. There is ample room to do this. I have seen other boats of
    similar construction and configuration with the fuel tanks in the
    front so I know it can be done. The question is should I do it?
    
    Reasons:
    
    There is a lot of weight in the back of the boat with the battery and
    fuel and no storage available for anything else in the back. What I
    want to do is remove the weight and gain some useful storage.
    
    What I would like to do is mount a back bench seat which would fold
    up for access to the aft compartment and storage. The two front folding
    seats might even get replaced with swivel seats. 
    
    All of this would make use of the unused space under the deck, move a
    significant amount of weight forward, gain more usable and easier
    accessed  storage space, make more room inside the boat for 
    people(read: comfort), and give me a summer project to keep me out 
    of trouble :-)
    
    Expenses will be minimal (under $300) or the job will not be done
    (I'm cheap).
    
    Comments, suggestions, ideas?
    
    Doug.

    I tried this with my 16 foot Lyman (with closed bow) which I use on the
    coast of Maine.  Actually I was installing a propane tank for the stove
    but the concept is similar. After a considerable amount of time and
    work, I tried out the configuration. It took about three minutes to
    realize that it was a TERRIBLE idea! The bow was much too heavy and the
    boat would not handle in, what I consider to be, a safe manner. Since
    it's a rather small boat and it's used in sometimes quite choppy
    waters, the lightness of the bow is very important to stay above the
    waves. So I put the tank in the stern along with the battery and four
    6-gallon tanks which is a lot of weight but the boat handles MUCH
    better.  BTW it has a 50 Yamaha with newly-added but untried Doel fins.
    
    Ben Day

    
    I'M not sure I agree with the previos response. Gasoline weighs about
    6#/gal, so that makes abut 100# added weight (I assume you will use an
    aluminum tank), equivalent to about 15 Gal of water that would have to
    be dispalced by the hull sinking lower. I used to carry
    anchosr,jackets, tools, spare parts, plus a spare full gas can under
    the bow of my old 17' Thompson and really never saw much difference in
    handling or abilty to handle some heavy seas.
    
    It really depends on the design of the Hull. IF you have a narrow bow
    and not much flare, the bow will drop much more than a boat like my old
    thompson which was pretty beamy up frward and hasd a pretty good flare
    at the bow.
    
     Another option you may want to consider is to add gunwale tanks that
    mount on either side of the hull.
    
    A good selection of tanks at reasonable prices is available from
    Defender Industries in New Rochelle, N.Y- their adress and phone number
    are elsewhere in this conference.If you do put in a bow tank, you can
    get a triangular tank tat will minimise wasted space. IF you put a tank
    in the bow,make sure it is fastened down securely! The motion in the
    bow is much more than at the stern, and you don't need a 15-16 gal
    tankful of gasoline bouncing around when the weather turns foul.
    

    The aft end sits so low in the water I think it might actually benefit
    from having some weight up front. I can't really increase the usable
    space without moving the fuel forward so that will be my first
    priority.
                                    
    The bow flares out quite a bit and will 'slap' the water in rough seas
    as opposed to plowing down and thru so I don't think that will be a
    problem. I haven't climbed into the bow yet but I am wondering if
    I will have to reinforce the hull before adding the new fuel tank.
    
    After thinking on it a while I figured I can build the back folding
    bench seat to fold out flat to become a 'sun deck' :-)
    
    This could really be a fun project ...
    
    Doug.                      

    If the weight and balence, center of gravity is the main concern,
    maybe you should put an equicaalnt weight up there and take the
    boat out with relatively empty tanks.  Sort of a preproject
    test ride.
    
    -Joe

    I know you said your boat rides down at the stern but you still might
    want to check whether the bilge drainage system is depending on the
    current angle - I know in my boat that I have a marginal situation with
    regard to bilge water not necessarily collecting at the rear of the
    boat.  If I added 100# at the bow, I'd exacerbate the problem.
    

    My 15' speed/ski boat + 100 Outboard came with a 5 gallon tank and
    battery in the stern compartment.
    
    The battery is still at the rear but I've moved the fuel to the front
    where there are now two tanks holding 5+10=15 gallons in total.
    
    Much better for skiing.  In fact, at the end of the day when fuel is
    running low, the boat handling is noticably worse.
    
    Cheers- Ken

    
    One other thing to consider in placing the gas tanks in the 
    bow is ventilation.  Granted you do not have an engine 
    creating a spark up there but I would think it would be
    just unwise on principle to place gas tanks in an unventilated
    compartment.  All you would need is a spark or a smoker to get
    near the bow and BOOM... your weekend is ruined.
    
    Mike  

    
    I looked under the bow thisweekend and found the perfect spot for the
    tank. It looks like this
    
                                   /\             -
                                  /  \            |
                                 /    \           |
                                /      \          |
                               /        \         |
                              /          \
                             /            \      26"
                             |            |   -
                             |            |   |   |
                             |            |   |   |
                             |            |  13"  |
                             |            |   |   |
                             |            |   |   |
                             --------------   _   -
    
                             |---- 14" ---|
    
    with about 18" in height. It is all reinforced by the boat flooring.
    
    Where would I go to have a custom tank built? Out of what material?
    
    The hardest part will be getting the tank under the deck. 
    
    Doug.

    
    Doug,
    I dont' think it's necessary to have a tank custom built.  Check
    the BOAT/US catalog, they've got all different sizes and shapes 
    of gas tanks, one of which should fit your boat.  This should 
    save you a lot of time and money over having one custom made.
    
    If you don't have a catalog, give me your mail stop and I'll send
    copies of the appropriate pages.  Or stop by my house some night 
    since you live right in Milford.
    
    Rick

    Besides BOAT U.S there are various other places to buy tanks.
    
    Boat U.S. is a good choice.
    
    One othere thing, do't forget to vent the new tank, with an overboard
    vent.
    
    IF you don't you cannot draw fuel from a vacuum, and gas fumes in
    a confined area, can be a nasty suprise..
    
    JIm.

    
    You can be sure that once this is done it will look and perform
    like factory.
    
    I do wonder if the fuel pump on the 2-stroke will have any difficulties
    with the extra fuel line distance though ...
    
    Doug.

    Re .17>
    	I think it may actually pump better since the tank may be higher.
    The pump should be more effected by height than distance.