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Old 11-11-2008, 20:15   #1
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expanding the fuel tank

what scope is there to expand the fuel tank of a 25ft express cruiser with a 70-100 gallon tank, to 300 gallons or more, either by adding on tanks or by completely replacing the existing tank? is there usually space around where the fuel tank is?
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Old 12-11-2008, 03:21   #2
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You’re not likely to find an available (empty) space measuring 27 (or more) Cubic Feet (1.5' x 2.0' x 9.0') on a 25 Ft express cruiser.

1 US gallon = 0.133680556 cubic feet (1 cubic foot = 7.48 US Gal),
so
200 extra gallons would require about 27 cubic feet of volume. (200 Imperial Gal would be about 32 Cu. Ft.)
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Old 12-11-2008, 05:41   #3
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27 cubic feet is just 3'x3'x3', that's a pity. is there no chance of it working even of we divide it up into smaller tanks and place them in space that can be found around the area? there seems to be a fair bit of space in pictures on the web.

what about borrowing some(3'x3'x3' minus existing fuel capacity) from the interior (rear) portion of the lower cabin?

how about space on a slightly larger boat, say 30' or a 32', that does not have a 300 gallon capacity? remember, it does not have to be a single tank.
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Old 12-11-2008, 12:58   #4
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One has to ask why one would want to 300+ gallons on a 25' boat? Bear in mind that that fuel will increase weight and decrease buoyancy... and, as Gord has pointed out, one owuld struggle to find the spare volume on a (relatively small) 25' boat.

I managed to increase the size of my fuel tanks from 27 gallons to 32 without to much trouble, so anything is possible
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Old 12-11-2008, 13:34   #5
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1 US Gallon of gasoline weighs between 5.8 to 6.5 lbs. Usually, regular unleaded gasoline has a specific gravity of around 58 and a weight per gallon of 6.216 pounds; so 200 gallons would weigh about 1,244 Lbs - roughly equivalent to adding 7 adult male passengers (standing closely packed) to your cockpit (or wherever).
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Old 12-11-2008, 14:19   #6
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That amount of weight is going to significantly affect your boats performance and reduce the number of people you can safely have aboard. Just something to take into consideration.
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Old 12-11-2008, 14:47   #7
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hmm, the weight factor really makes it unfeasible.

the plan is to be able to make a 450km/300mile journey at one stretch. doing it in under 10hrs is ideal, i could then make it without an overnight, but that's not vital. going the distance without having to make a fuel stop is, therefore the 300 gallon tank.

what boat is recommended for this kind of a journey, keeping in mind the higher fuel consumption of larger engines?
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Old 12-11-2008, 16:04   #8
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450km is approx 250 nautical miles, so to achieve this in 10 hours, you will need an average speed of 25 knots. A boat that can average 25 knots in flat water / light wind is a different beast from one that can average 25 knots in waves/chop and strong wind. Your average 36' flybridge cruiser could do 25 knots in good conditions but would struggle in a decent sea. A 36' flybridge cruiser would use around 20 gallons per hour at that speed in good conditions, and more in rough conditions.
Dunno if that helps?

Frankly, you'd be cheaper to fly!
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