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I would like to put a fuel tank in the console and I have a few questions. Would you guys go with a 12 gallon Moeller above deck tank (low profile 24" L x 18" W x 11" H) or a 13 gallon Moeller permanent below deck tank (low profile 32" L x 10.25" W x 10.25" H)?

Is it OK to mount the below deck tank on the deck in the console? Is the permanent below deck tank a better tank and more durable? If I was to go with the permanent below deck tank, I would have to install a fuel gauge and a gas deck fill kit, which I would rather not do, but would consider it, if that is the right tank. The 12 gallon above deck tank would certainly be much easier and I'm thinking it wouldn't be hard to open the console door (under the wheel) to fill the tank and look at the fuel gauge which is on the tank itself.

On another note, is it OK to mount the battery in the console in a box next to the tank? I have seen this done, but you don't see it often. I want to get the tank and battery off the deck and into the console to free up deck space and to get them out of the elements. I am looking to use a Yamaha F70 if that information is helpful. I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks

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Personally, I would not put all three components of a fire "triangle" - that is, fuel, oxygen (or air), and a source of ignition (electrical sparking devices) - in one single compartment of a boat. It seems a bit risky, especially if you have another option. Of course, you would be doing this in a small craft, if your console ignited or exploded without injuring you, I guess you could just swim to the bank...

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I agree with Silentpardner.

Whaler put the tanks under the seat, which in my opinion, is where they belong on a Montauk or similar Custom setup.
They are out of the way and easy to fill and view the fuel gauges.

12 gallons is not a lot of fuel for a 16/17' model.
Most of these models use two 12 gallon tanks or one 24 gallon tank.

View all the Montauks in the personal page section. I think every one of them has the fuel tank(s) under the seat.

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Whaler put the tank/tanks in the console for the Nauset?

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OK.
However not really IN the console, rather, under as there were no doors.
Just like under a seat, not In a closed seat.

Your question was about a Montauk.

I would still put the fuel tanks under the seat of a Nauset and the battery under the console just like most people do with the Montauks.

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Go with a single 23 gallon or 2 twelve gallon tanks under the seat and put 2 batteries in the console with a selector switch. Avoids the danger, plenty of fuel, and good for weight distribution too.

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If you have never seen a fiberglass boat burn it is something quite spectacular. Much like a dry Christmas tree you will not put it out. I think we all know the fumes are more flammable than the actual gas so even a spark from a 12 volt system could cause a heck of a flash or explosion. It is not the safe thing to do. Also if you have to fill it under there you will drop a little gas hear and there and if it never blows up who wants that foul smell trapped under the console.

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The nauset's console had a cut out / open air area where the tanks were. I have a 1986 guardian console, if i did the nauset style of cut out open air approach do you think the tanks would be ok? Otherwise the tanks will go under the leaning post. I was just aiming to clear up room on the deck and put the cooler under the leaning post. Thanks again for all the help and advice.

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I plan to do something similar in the future. I think there's a ton of wasted space in the console and the underside of the lean post/seat would be better suited for a cooler, storage or bait tank. I'll be custom building my console though. You absolutely need to isolate the tanks from any kind of ignition source. You'd need to vent the batteries also, although I think it may be a rare occurrence they do gas out hydrogen if over charged.

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There is a guys who sells a design for an alternate Nauset style console. Looking at it in detail really does make you appreciate all the cubic space (not) used by any console.

- large piano hinge on bow side between upper and lower console
- hydrolic post governing tilt of upper console
- battery shelf high up behind the console throttle
- gas fill spout (may be optional) that exits the wooden console port-side on upper console
- I can't recall which tank is calls out

Neil

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I'm pretty sure the way I bought my Nauset was how they came from the factory. That was with two six gallon cans sitting on the cushioned mats, on the deck, under the console. There is a removable
1-1/4" (?) bar that keeps the tanks from sliding out.
The battery is located in a battery box at the starboard stern.

I never thought about it being a hazard but I guess it is a point well taken.

However, I did have a Montauk owner that I took out, tell me that he felt like moving the gas forward under the console got a little more weight forward and helped balance my Nauset better than his Montauk.

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