Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 129 gallon tank option for 1980 22 outrage

Posted by Tom W Clark on 12/07/10 - 7:45 AM
#2

The optional "Extra Fuel Capacity" 129 gallon tank was a factory installed option. Boats ordered with this option were molded without the bulkhead between the fuel tank cavity and the rear fishwell.

The larger tank was simply longer and filled the space where the fishwell would have gone.

This was a popular option for boats with twins which consumed a lot of fuel but it also created a problem. It shifted the center of gravity towards the stern quite a bit and often set up bad porpoising problems.

This was made worse on boats with twins because those boats already had a lot more weight on the transom so the boats were really stern heavy.

The 22s were already know for having low transoms that would allow water to slop over and get the cockpit wet (this was improved upon a little when the full width splashwell was introduced in late 1988) but the added weight in the stern made things much worse.

You could add a large tank, but you will need to cut out the bulkhead and 'glass the foam where the cut is made. I recommend you think long and hard about doing this if you have anything other than a relatively light weight single.