annageek
Well-Known Member
Apologies in advance - this is a copy and paste from the Fletcher forum, where I have had some useful replies, but I am after as much insight as I can get before proceeding!
Well, we're slowly moving down out boat's t do list this winter, and now we're on to the fuel (petrol) tank. The standard 100l is a bit limiting for us, and so are looking at putting in one of either these: http://shop4tanks.co.uk/standard-stainless-steel-water-tanks/190-litre-tank.html or one of these: https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?SMALL-CRAFT-PERMANENTLY-INSTALLED-FUEL-TANKS&l=0000001049 (the 149l one). Both would fit, and given they're both similar cost, the 190l one seems the best bet. It's bigger and its baffled.
We have some questions though:
1. To get it to fit into our boat (fletcher 19gts) we'd need to remove the bulkhead (see pic) between the current fuel tank location and the lazerette - meaning we'd lose the lazarette, but that's ok for the increase in range that we'd get. How important is this (semi) bulkhead, and would removing it cause problems? Is it aiding structural rigidity?
2. I understand that it's best practice to install long tanks across the beam rather than along the length of the boat, but would there be any problems having it longitudinally? If so, would it be better to have the fuel pick up astern, so it's more likely to pick up fuel under normal running attitude - or will this make it more likely to pick up any **** too?
3. The lazerette (as it currently stands) is drained, but the location that the tank currently sits is not. Removing the bulkhead will mean that if the fuel tank fails, fuel will be free to run into the bilge. Obviously a tank failure is pretty hazardous as it is, but would it be worth while plugging the lazarette's drain hole?
4. Is there anything else we've missed / possibly underestimated?
5. Is there an easier way!
6. If we go for the aluminium tank, what is the best thing to put under it to reduce complications regarding corrosion, or would it be suitable to put it on the floor of the space into which we're fitting it (assuming we ensure it's flat).
Many thanks in advance for any further thoughts!
Well, we're slowly moving down out boat's t do list this winter, and now we're on to the fuel (petrol) tank. The standard 100l is a bit limiting for us, and so are looking at putting in one of either these: http://shop4tanks.co.uk/standard-stainless-steel-water-tanks/190-litre-tank.html or one of these: https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm?SMALL-CRAFT-PERMANENTLY-INSTALLED-FUEL-TANKS&l=0000001049 (the 149l one). Both would fit, and given they're both similar cost, the 190l one seems the best bet. It's bigger and its baffled.
We have some questions though:
1. To get it to fit into our boat (fletcher 19gts) we'd need to remove the bulkhead (see pic) between the current fuel tank location and the lazerette - meaning we'd lose the lazarette, but that's ok for the increase in range that we'd get. How important is this (semi) bulkhead, and would removing it cause problems? Is it aiding structural rigidity?
2. I understand that it's best practice to install long tanks across the beam rather than along the length of the boat, but would there be any problems having it longitudinally? If so, would it be better to have the fuel pick up astern, so it's more likely to pick up fuel under normal running attitude - or will this make it more likely to pick up any **** too?
3. The lazerette (as it currently stands) is drained, but the location that the tank currently sits is not. Removing the bulkhead will mean that if the fuel tank fails, fuel will be free to run into the bilge. Obviously a tank failure is pretty hazardous as it is, but would it be worth while plugging the lazarette's drain hole?
4. Is there anything else we've missed / possibly underestimated?
5. Is there an easier way!
6. If we go for the aluminium tank, what is the best thing to put under it to reduce complications regarding corrosion, or would it be suitable to put it on the floor of the space into which we're fitting it (assuming we ensure it's flat).
Many thanks in advance for any further thoughts!