fuel tank

[Tney88]

Does anybody have a fuel tank larger than the 11-1/2 gallon one like we have on our 2004 27/3?  I had to pull the tank out to clean it thoroughly after getting some bad fuel at the end of the season last year, and I was thinking it would be nice to replace it with a larger one to extend the range between fuel stops.

Terry Ney
SV Paradiso

[deisher6]

Hey Tney88:
The tank on Windrunner was 12-13 gallons.  At less than 1/2 gph that is a pretty goodly amount.  I discovered just before I sold her that  5 gallon fuel jug would fit under the helmsman's seat. Combined they would give you a respectable cruising range unless you are going against the wind.

Don't try to motor sail on less than 1/2 tank.

Smooth Sailing.

regards charlie

[Tney88]

Hi, Charlie,

The present tank capacity works for us on the lake where we spend the summer, and when we head up to the San Juan Islands in September for our annual two week outing there, it's OK as long as we stay in US waters where marinas are fairly common.  But as we venture farther north into BC waters, the distance between fuel sources can get longer.  That, combined with the tidal currents up there cutting the mileage down, has made us carry a five gallon can of fuel in the lazarette "just in case".  We use a Yeti cooler in place of the helm seat, so that space is already taken.  I was just noticing when I pulled the existing fuel tank that there is room on the starboard side of the fuel tank for the tank to be longer (water heater takes up the corresponding space on the port side) and was wondering if anybody had used that to install a larger tank. 

Terry Ney
SV Paradiso

[deisher6]

Terry:
I understand the problem and question.  (Will probably be yanking the tank on the PS-34 next week.) I have never seen a C-27 with a larger tank.

There is a bunch of room in the cockpit lockers and one thought that I have considered is to replace the toilet with an Airhead.  Removing the holding tank would give a bunch more space for an extra fuel tank in a very convenient place.

As you probably know, you do not want to motor sail a C-27 with much less than a 1/3 tank of diesel.

regards charlie

[Tney88]

Wholesale Marine had a St. Patrick's Day sale coupon bringing the price on a Moeller 19 gallon tank down to $194.12 including shipping, so I ordered one.  This tank measures 26.00"L x 16.00"W x 11.75"H.....so it's about 3/4 of an inch taller, 1 inch wider, and 10 inches longer than the original tank.  Because the added length will extend into the area where the hull curves, I will have to space it up about 2" to keep it level, but there's plenty of vertical clearance.  I also bought a second Racor primary fuel filter, and two wye type fuel valves, so I can have parallel fuel filters (so when one clogs, just switch the two valves to the other one, and change the first one at your leisure).  The tank will increase the fuel capacity from 11.5 gallons to 19 gallons.   We'll let you know how it all works out.

Link to the tank:

https://www.wholesalemarine.com/moeller-19-gallon-below-deck-permanent-marine-fuel-tank.html

Link to the fuel filter:

https://www.go2marine.com/product/83526F/120a-series-fuel-filter-water-separator-with-spin-on-element-and-plastic-bowl.html-1459998404

Regards,

Terry Ney
SV Paradiso

[Tney88]

I completed the installation of the 19 gallon tank over the weekend....it fit nicely after I put down two 16" long pieces of pressure treated 2x4 to raise the tank up about 1 1/2" so it would sit level (i.e. not be tipped by the curvature of the hull).  There's some loss of space in the aft end of the starboard lazarette, but all in all, the increased range is worth the trade-off for us.  Another plus is that the Mueller brand tank is translucent, so the fuel level is very clearly seen....good backup to the fuel guage.  The old tank was black and opaque, so there was no seeing the fuel level.  Launch day for our lake is April 7th....can't wait!

Terry Ney
SV Paradiso

[Koinonia]

I installed a 20 gallon from west marine in doing the same thing to raise it.  another perk depending on how  you attatched it is on mine I unhooked the port side strap and slip a copy of Atlas shrugged under it to tip the remaining fuel to the starboard when I got really, really low.

[wes]

That's the best application for "Atlas Shrugged" that I've ever heard.

Wes

[relamb]

I've had my tank get yucked up enough to clog the filters and kill the engine.  I anchored and unhooked the lines from the tank, cleaned them out, replaced the filters, and then put the supply and return hoses down into the neck of a 5 gallon jug which I strapped down under by the old tank.  Duct taped around the neck of the jug so fuel would not splash out.
  As I recall, I had an extra length of spare fuel line and hose clamps handy.
It worked great, I was able to keep going for a few days until I got back to the marina and could pull and flush the tank.   If I were to expand my fuel capacity, I would probably add a second tank where the hot water heater is, and plumb it with it's own fuel pump so I could switch between tanks if one got contaminated.  But I'll never do that,  I just always carry a 5 gallon jug of diesel, a spare fuel pump and wire, and some spare fuel line.  I always pour the jug fuel into the tank when refueling, and put new fuel into the jug so I can see if it looks clean.