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Currently my 12 gallon low profile tank sites under the drivers bench seat and my 2 batteries right behind it in my 1968 13 sport - would I be better off moving the tank forward and under the thwart bench seat for improved weight distribution and safety [not having tank, 2 batteries together] ?
It also seems that with these low profile tanks the gauge wanders all over the place - would installing an external gauge help?
Lastly - with a 1987 45hp 2 stroke mariner, 650 lb load [me, buddy, 4 80lb 10/11 yr old kids] at sea level on a lake and towing 2 of the kids on a tube for 95% of the day we ran through 12 gallons of fuel in 4 hours - does that seem reasonable mileage....?
jhuchingson wrote:
Currently my 12 gallon low profile tank sites under the drivers bench seat and my 2 batteries right behind it in my 1968 13 sport - would I be better off moving the tank forward and under the thwart bench seat for improved weight distribution and safety [not having tank, 2 batteries together] ?
Why two batteries? I wouldn't bother with a dedicated starting battery with a 45hp motor. If the deep cycle battery is so dead it can't start the motor, just pull start it. ;-)
If the batteries are properly fused and in battery boxes I don't see a big danger. If you can't distribute other weight (passengers, anchor, cooler, etc) forward, then it is good to get the gas weight forward.
Lastly - with a 1987 45hp 2 stroke mariner, 650 lb load [me, buddy, 4 80lb 10/11 yr old kids] at sea level on a lake and towing 2 of the kids on a tube for 95% of the day we ran through 12 gallons of fuel in 4 hours - does that seem reasonable mileage....?
Not unreasonable. A carbed 2 stroke will burn almost a gallon per hour per 10 horsepower. So just under 4.5 gallons per hour at full throttle for a carbed 45hp is normal.
Do put really put 12 gallons in your 12 gallon tank? If I put 12 gallons in my Moeller 31612 tank it is full to the top and will splash out, so I only put about 11 gallons in it. I also can't pull the last half gallon out without frequently sucking air. So its really only 10.5 gallons usable.
I normally have two Duratanks in trays in the back of mine, but if we are going to be doing a longer trip away from gas, I'll put the 10.5 gallons (usable) under the front seat and, 6 gallons (usable) in a Duratank, and put a small cooler in the other Duratank tray.
thanks so much for the reply - the boat came with 2 batteries....being my first boat of course I went out and bought 2 new ones ;0 - group 27's to boot! I mostly fish with my kids and use one of the batteries for trolling motor, fish finder the other as a starter. When we're just tubing and screwing around I take one out. I did jut see the pull cord in the engine casing the other day when i took it off to adjust the low idle screws.....and i thought the same thing - i can always pull start if we ran the battery out.
I would prefer to keep the fuel tank/batteries under the drivers seat towards the stern b/c its nice with the kids/dog having as much room/space for them to make a mess [yes they're in batteries boxes, and tank and batteries properly strapped down etc.]
Right on and very good point about the tank - its really only about 10.5 usable. My buddy had a similar suggestion about bringing along another smaller tank for when we're out away from any fueling/marinas.
I'm in the process of re-building a 13' and would like to ask you, with your 12 gal. Fuel tank .. Is it plastic aluminum or fiberglass, and what are the dimensions of it, as I'd like to find one that would fit under the seat as well. Any suggestions are well appreciated !
I have the Moeller 031612. Unfortunately the model died with the EPA mandated gas tank changes about 3 years ago. I bought one when I found out they were going to go away.
Dimensions are 43.00" x 15.00" x 5.88" tall. They have replaced it with a 15 gallon model that is taller. I believe you have to mount the seat on top of the wooden side boards to make it work.
