Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by jhuchingson on 08/29/13 - 8:24 AM

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....?

Posted by lrak on 08/29/13 - 8:56 AM

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.

Posted by jhuchingson on 08/29/13 - 9:10 AM

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.

Posted by lrak on 08/29/13 - 6:02 PM

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.