Basic questions from "newbie"

[Zephyros]

Question 1) Can't find  6 that will fit but saw a comment on the forum saying he had one. Recommendations?

While looking up some information on my Scepter brand 3 gallon fuel tank I saw they also have it in a 6 gallon model, same footprint just 3.4" taller.
3 gallon:  19.3"L x 12.2"W x 6.8"H
6 gallon:  19.3"L x 12.2"W x 10.2"H

The 3 gallon length and width fits fine in my Sun Cat fuel locker, measure the height of your fuel locker to see if the 6 gallon, 10'2" height will fit, it will be close but may work?

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/scepter-portable-fuel-tank
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=3236795
https://www.amazon.com/Scepter-Marine-Portable-Fuel-Tank/dp/B01BNBCRRS?th=1&psc=1

[Catawampus]

In my experience, stale fuel has been more of a problem than capacity. I've gone from the 6 gallon tank to a 3 gallon, followed by dropping the 3 gallon and just using the integral tank on my outboard supplemented by a couple of 1 gallon portables that fit in the gas locker.

[Zephyros]

In my experience, stale fuel has been more of a problem than capacity.

Here is my recipe to beat stale fuel, I fill my 3 gallon tank with Non-Ethanol fuel from a station I found through pure-gas.org, then I add 1 oz. of Biobor EB to the tank. I found Biobor EB from a couple of Practical Sailor articles. In the spring the remaining fuel goes into the car and I fill up with a fresh tank for the season or until it's empty after making headway into to many Texas windstorms.  After one season of Biobor EB my new to me 2007 Tohatsu 4 HP carburetor is on my workbench for winter rebuild (first time since new), it is relatively clean with no obvious varnish, the bowl has no residue or varnish, just a little water corrosion I attribute to the previous owners use of Ethanol fuel and/or past phase separation.

Storage Tips for Gasoline and Diesel
https://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/Storage-Tips-for-Gasoline-and-Diesel-10911-1.html

Biobor EB Still Tops in Additive Rematch
https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/37_23/features/eb-still-tops-additive-rematch-biobar_10915-1.html

Hammonds Biobor EB, Ethanol Buster and Performance Enhancer Gasoline Treatment
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007D2C0I8/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Tim Gardner]

Suncat sighting on Smith Mountain Lake!  Driving over Halesford Bridge this afternoon, I spotted a pretty blue suncat becalmed with the skipper sipping a sudsy.  So I pulled over and hailed the relaxed rogue, "you must be Byron Of Bedford!" To which came the reply, "why, yes, I am.". A brief conversation ensued, and off I went, pleased to have made the acquaintance of another Compaconaut.
TG

[Byron of Bedford]

More update:

Took Sun Cat out for first time. So impressed and satisfied with performance, comfort and ease. Launching and rigging was a breeze as was retrieval.

What was shocking was I stopped and anchored for lunch and all of a sudden a car drove up on near by shore, a guy got out and yelled "Are you Byron of Bedford?" (WHAT!? The...?!) It was Tim Gardener who one of you mentioned on this post. He was driving by and saw a Sun Cat! What are the chances?!

A few reflections:
1) I installed the bungee lazy jacks recommended on one of the posts. Wow! Such a great enhancement for single handed sailing.
2) The advice regarding adjusting keel to improve handling was priceless advice. Really makes a huge difference.
3) installed a Windex and Yes to this addition. Very helpful.
4) Outboard motor tiller extension is not really needed and is too long for this boat. Forego.
5) I installed a Tiller Clutch. Absolutely fantastic. Simple and easiest design by far. Expensive but worth it in my opinion.

All in all I am elated with boat. Thanks to everyone for great advice! Tim, I'll see you on your legendary boat dock on SML!

[Tim Gardner]

Byron,

Saw you moored up at the dock next door over the weekend.  I was ashamed that you saw the pitiful state my 19 appeared to be in.  I hate mildew.  Sadly, with Vicki's back issues and surf-wake boats plying the summer waters, we don't sail much in the summer.

Did you sail up or motor the whole way?  In any event, two Com-Pacs in Timothy's Cove is a rare sight indeed.

Regards, TG

[DanM]

To go back to the fuel question: I'm no mechanic so all I can do is follow reasonable-sounding advice. I had my 5HP Honda repaired a few years ago, and the mechanic told me that one of the best things I can do for the motor (besides using non-ethanol gas) is to not leave fuel in the carburetor. Every time I use the motor, if I'm not going to use it in the next few days, I pull the fuel line off while idling and let the motor run dry to a stop. Just following advice.. anyone else do this?
By the way, the repair was to replace the carb because the little plastic mechanism of the choke had broken. When I asked the mechanic if he had any other advice, he said, "Yea, be less manly with the choke!"

[Bramble]

Same advice I received with my Honda 2.3.  At the end of a sail I shut off the fuel & let her run dry.

[Bramble]

The PO of my current c-16 sailed Smith Mountain Lake