Newbie advice please - Unbalanced fuel tanks on KAD300A

[birdistheword]

Hi folks

New to boating and to the site.
Advice needed please.
Recently purchased our Sealine S41with KAD300A's. Planning to sail from Plymouth to Cardiff. We set off ,with a skipper on board. Not too far into our maiden voyager noticed that the starboard fuel tank was starting to use fuel, OK no problem with that, but by the end of day 1, it had dropped to 1/2 tank and the post fuel tank reading full, it hadn't moved. WHY ?? Was fuel being taken from only one tank ? does it run from one tank then the other ? a lot of head scratching and finally the skipper said "we can't go on as we'll be forever needing to refuel if its only taking from one tank"

We have asked the marina for help but so far, 3 weeks later, no answers are forthcoming.

Bearing in mind that engines are defo not my thing, i usually leave it to the experts, if they can be bothered , can you guys give me any clue.

Much appreciated in anticipation.

 

[duncan99210]

Welcome to the forum.

I’m no expert on motor boats (there’s a specific forum for them) but I’d say that you need to examine your fuel supply arrangements. It sounds like both engines are drawing fuel from the starboard tank, so I’d be looking for a valve in the fuel system which will allow you to switch between tanks so that you can draw fuel for both engines from the port tank instead. Follow the fuel pipes back from the engines and check which tanks they are connected to and how to switch between tanks.
I’d also check that the fuel gauges are working properly; it’s entirly possible that you’ve been drawing fuel from both tanks but the port tank gauge isn’t working or the sender has stuck.

 

[Momac]

We have asked the marina for help but so far, 3 weeks later, no answers are forthcoming.
.

The tells you something about the marina

Go on the Sealine forum and ask - hopefully a S41 owner will respond.
The fuel taps will need to be correctly positioned .


Good point mentioned about the fuel gauge possibly being stuck. Easily checked - if the tank is full you will get no more fuel in.

 

[birdistheword]

You're right it definitely tells me something about the marine, we are moving.

Can't access sealine forum at present time ,don't know why.

Port tank is still full.

 

[NormanS]

The layout of valves should allow you to select which tank supplies each engine. You might choose for example to have port engine supplied by port tank, and starboard engine supplied by starboard tank. Or you might, in some circumstances, have both engines supplied by either. You should be able to check out the fuel valve and pipework. There will also be a valve arrangement for cross levelling the two tanks (normally kept closed).

Remember also that more fuel goes to the engine than it uses. For this reason you will have return pipes, and you have to decide which tank(s) the returned fuel is going to.

You would be well advised to familiarize yourself with your system, and not to have to rely on a "marina" to investigate for you.

You'll probably get a more coherent and knowledgeable response on the Motor Boat forum on here.

 

[birdistheword]

thank you Norman

 

[macd]

Just to add to Norman's helpful comments, one of the less joyful aspects of boat ownership is rooting around in obscure crannies to learn how things such as this are laid out and work. It can be highly individual, especially on an older boat. Discovering the position and function of all your skin fittings and seacocks is a related non-joy, but an essential part of ownership.

 

[pvb]

Welcome to the forums! You say you're new to boating, so it would be a really good idea for you to get a mobo instructor to give you a day or two's tuition on all aspects of your boat. It's not necessary for you to understand engines fully, but it is necessary for you to know about the various ancillary items - cooling, fuel, lubrication, switchgear, etc - so that you know what to do when you're out on your own.

 

[RichardS]

My twin engine/twin tanked boat has ball valves on both the fuel tank outlets and on both the fuel returns from the engine. If I had a balance pipe it would have ball valves on both ends of that as well. As said above, one of the valves on your boat will be in the incorrect position.

Richard