fuel pump

[PabloPicasso]

When my boat heels to port the tank seems to be too low to gravity feed fuel to the inboard engine.

This does not happen when heeled to starboard.

So, can i fit a fuel pump somewhere to reduce the problem, or is there a better solution?

 

[lw395]

Most engines have a 'lift pump' which should sort this.
Your engine may have one, but it may not be working.
It's like a car petrol pump, operated by the camshaft.
Also check you are not motoring with the boat heeled too much, there comes a point where the lube oil does not get where needed.

 

[WoodyP]

The tanks on my yacht are in the keels and the Beta fuel pump is not man enough to draw the fuel up so a 12v fuel pump is fitted in line just on top of the tank, with a fuel filter just before it.

It works well but the draw back is the filter is easily blocked because of its small size, I suppose the upside is the main and pre filter last longer. It also helps when bleeding because it pumps fuel up to the pre filter.

 

[nigelmercier]

Am I missing something? Heeling, and running engine? Why?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Am I missing something? Heeling, and running engine? Why?

Motorsailing?

 

[PabloPicasso]

Gusts under bare poles when entering port for example? Some commercial ports are not keen on 'sailing' so have to motor sail at least. again a gust or sustained eddie will heel the boat and having to re-bleed the system in the confines of a busy port is not what i'm after at the end of a days sailing

 

[PabloPicasso]

But maybe the first thing is to do check the lift pump is in A1 working condition

 

[lw395]

But maybe the first thing is to do check the lift pump is in A1 working condition

That's what I'd do.

First check the spec of the lift pump.
You could consider a small tank higher up, holding perhaps a few gallons, filled by pump from the main tank. Depends on the layout of the boat etc.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Gusts under bare poles when entering port for example? Some commercial ports are not keen on 'sailing' so have to motor sail at least. again a gust or sustained eddie will heel the boat and having to re-bleed the system in the confines of a busy port is not what i'm after at the end of a days sailing

If you are needing to re bleed, it is not a pump you require, but a pickup pipe that reaches lower in the tank, or middle or better position in the tank.