Siting Fuel tank behind engine? Thoughts?

[monkfish24]

Our fuel tank is mounted high up on the stbd side behind the cockpit coaming.

I would like it moved to the new space we have made this winter by removing the calorifier which was mounted behind the saildrive.

Obviously a fire retardant bulkhead will need to be fitted, the tank would be almost level with the lift pump so fuel supply won't be a problem.

Just like on page 71 of PBO this month.

We have multiple problems with the tank set up at the moment. With the boat heeled over and with "only" 20 litres in the tank, air get's into the fuel lines, meaning you have no engine until it the boat is flat again. The tank is mounted on the same side as the holding tank, meaning when both are full, there is a positive list to stbd and the tank is not currently removable, for cleaning, diesel bug etc

The change would be simple and fairly cheap, with these tanks not costing that much.

What safeguards would i need to ensure the tank is safe, obviously strapping down, with it being behind the engine, would a fire proof box be needed or is the tank safe enough with diesel in it?

 

[pvb]

What safeguards would i need to ensure the tank is safe, obviously strapping down, with it being behind the engine, would a fire proof box be needed or is the tank safe enough with diesel in it?

You don't need a fireproof box, or even a bulkhead. But you must make sure the tank is very securely mounted.

 

[SlimRick]

I have a stainless steel tank in the same compartment as the engine - no bulkhead separating them. You can just see the tank at the back here:

 

[lw395]

My Impala had a small tank which was very prone to getting air in the fuel at any angle of heel, unless the tank was nearly full and the sea was flat.
I improved this by adding a small sump to the bottom of the tank, made from a brass skin fitting blanked off. The fuel pick up was lengthened to draw from the sump. Any water will obviously go straight to the filter, but I used to fill up using clean fuel from cans.

 

[GrahamM376]

Our 376 has 45 gal tank maybe 9" in front of the engine. No bulkhead fitted or needed.

 

[colvic987]

18 gallon fuel tank behind engine. although an unconventional one!!!!

 

[Dave_Seager]

18 gallon fuel tank behind engine. although an unconventional one!!!!

That's quite a list you have there!

 

[Blueboatman]

Colvic987. That is brilliant, bloody strongly made too.

 

[oldharry]

If you are using gravity feed you must include a cut off valve somewhere preferably accessible without reaching across the engine.

 

[prv]

Colvic987. That is brilliant, bloody strongly made too.

Hope the tap's held in with something a bit more secure than a wooden keystone, though

Pete

 

[rotrax]

Threw a tank away last year that was behind and just below the engine. The Yanmar lift pump could not cook it. I got a new tank made for the chap and the origional gravity feed works fine. If you have trouble with it while heeled, have a small sump added under the outlet.

 

[colvic987]

If you are using gravity feed you must include a cut off valve somewhere preferably accessible without reaching across the engine.

Well spotted old harry, the last job i have to do is to remake all the copper pipe and fit a new fuel filter housing and a cut off tap in the cockpit locker.

all this was done just because i had to replace a cutlass bearing and shaft, it gradually moved on to full repaint and new engine mountings....