Relocating the fuel tank?

[JeffXJ]

One of the ideas I'm kicking around is to try to reloacted the fuel tank under the floor. After looking at the saddle tanks, I don't think I like them very much (they're too high IMO and taking up space that could be used for fishing poles). I know this means the floor has to come up, but looking for input. I know in later models (and I think in the CC version) the gas tank is in the floor. I'm just wondering how hard it would be to find a tank that fits.

[Franco]

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA, JUST HAVE TO WONDER WHAT STRUCTURES YOU MIGHT FIND DOWN THERE. AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO CONSTRUCT A HATCH TO ACCESS IT

[labii]

It could be done , but it would be a royal pain . Besides that I don't know how much space you will find there . The post-1978 boats have a deck that is a little higher and allowed more room for a larger single tank . I have had a 1974 with saddle tanks and they were fine . If we went far offshore we just took along a couple of 6gal. aux. tanks .

[Blue_Runner]

Jeff, I think there's a 70 v20 in the gallery that show's whats under the floor - best I can remember.

Good luck on your project.

Thanks,
Blue

[JeffXJ]

Thanks Blue. I was looking at that earlier today trying to figure out just how much space is under the floor, but kinda hard to tell by the pics.

[reelapeelin]

Jeff...I talked to Wellcraft shortly after gettin' mine 6 yrs ago...the hull engineer I talked to said; "Do not try to put a belly tank in that hull."...my experience is that engineers generally know what they are talkin' about, so I took another route...totals 80 gal capacity...at the time I was sporting a gas guzzlin' oldie...now I wouldn't put more than 60 gal capacity...see Gallery for solution...it's worked out really well... ;D...

[macojoe]

Well hers is what I no.

The floor is lower in the older models just like labii says.
So getting a regular size tank in there will not work.

You will have to remove the deck and have to make new bulkheads to hold the tank were you want it.

The boats were made balanced, and changing the tank from were they are now will change the center of gravity, making the boat much more bow heavy!

IMO the under floor tanks take a lot more abuse as far as corrosion, and some here can tell you about that!

Now all these things said, rules are made to be broken!! I have a 1975 I/O with 20 gal saddle bag tanks, they are in perfect condition after 30 years.

But 40 gals was just not enough for me as i like to go offshore from time to time.

My boat has been converted by me. It now has a bracket with a 175 Yamaha.

I have changed the center of gravity by moving 500 pounds of motor from the rear of the boat to 29 inches behind the boat.

This made the bow ride high, but could be controlled by trimming the motor.
You will not be able to do this if you put a tank in the floor to far forward! Because it will make the bow heavy!

I have fixed this problem by adding a 25 gal tank in the rear of the boat in the old motor well. which moved about 200 pounds back into the boat. This has helped bring the bow down, and I now use less trim.
And it has increased my capacity to 65 gals.

With the space you will have under the floor for a tank, you will not gain any fuel, you may be decreasing the amount?? depending on what you are able to get down there?

You may have to move bulk heads or build them? Not to mention redesigning the floor, as you now have floor storage that Will have to be removed.
Now you have lost valuable space to store fish, bumpers, ect ect..

All this will cost $$$ and for what?? To make a 30+ year old boat have less storage, less fuel, and for what? some gunnel space for a few rods.

There are kinds of things you can do to make rod storage! with out having to go thur so much trouble!!

I had a idea that I was going to do, but I did other things instead.

You can drill some holes in the front bulk head walls for the rod butts and put you rods in front of the gas tanks. You have a double wall there on the sides to add clips to hold the rod tips.

I have added 5 rod holders on the out side of my windshield, this keeps the rods, and gives me space in the **** pit were i need it most!!

So unless you have tons of $$, tons of time, and need something to do, It is not worth it!!

Now see what you did!! you got me running a muck, and I never do that!!

[labii]

Well Joe , I think that you just about covered that !

[phester]

detailed, anylitical answer....would have taken me 40 mins. to type that,...and your are completely right

[JeffXJ]

With the space you will have under the floor for a tank, you will not gain any fuel, you may be decreasing the amount?? depending on what you are able to get down there?

You may have to move bulk heads or build them? Not to mention redesigning the floor, as you now have floor storage that Will have to be removed.
Now you have lost valuable space to store fish, bumpers, ect ect..

All this will cost $$$ and for what?? To make a 30+ year old boat have less storage, less fuel, and for what? some gunnel space for a few rods.

There are kinds of things you can do to make rod storage! with out having to go thur so much trouble!!


Ok, ok, ok...I give up!!!! Sort of... Let me clear a couple of things up. First off, "making room for the fishing poles was meant as an attempt at humor.. ;D Secondly, I'm not looking to go any bigger than 50 gallons (somewhere close to the capacity I have now is fine by me, even if it's a single 40 gallon tank) I saw a few 30 to 50 gallon tanks online that where shaped to fit in the belly and didn't seem to to be that tall or wide. And depending on where the bulkheads are located I might be able to keep the ONE floor storage compartment I have!

Posted by: reelapeelin Posted on: Today at 4:06pm
Jeff...I talked to Wellcraft shortly after gettin' mine 6 yrs ago...the hull engineer I talked to said; "Do not try to put a belly tank in that hull."...my experience is that engineers generally know what they are talkin' about,


Now that may pose a real problem. Did they give a reason, or just lead you to believe the belly on the older V20s was weaker than the newer ones? I may have a couple of engineers I can talk to here for more guidance (and for their entertainment) to see if I can get a little more detail.

I appreciate yall's input, as it's given me more things to look at before I dive in and buy a tank that wont fit or worse, cause safety issues. But I'm going to run with this ball a little longer and see where it goes. Just not willing to give up this easy....I'm kinda stubborn like that ;D

By the way, I'm going to post my pics tonight. I'm not sure how to get them in the gallery, and if I can't get them there I'll post them in a seperate thread.

[macojoe]

Well you can get a tank in there!! I have no doubt it!!

But the real question is why go to all that $$$??

What are you going to do with the 4 inchs of floor space you will gain??

[JeffXJ]

Well you can get a tank in there!! I have no doubt it!!

But the real question is why go to all that $$$??

What are you going to do with the 4 inchs of floor space you will gain??

MJ, In this case it's more about comfort (peice of mind type of comfort) and confidence in the boat and little to do with space. I read the posts of others with the saddle bags, and it seems they are fine where they are, but the floor is coming up regardless (for other reasons) and since I would prefer to have one tank low and in the center of the boat instead of two tanks high and on the sides, makes now the time to look into it. And if it turns out to be too much to do, or unsafe then I'll just roll with what's there. In the mean time, it's a challange and a learning experience.

And wait until I throw my next crazy idea out there for you all to chew on.....this is gonna be good! 8)

[reelapeelin]

Jeff, the guy I talked to(been a long time ago), indicated stringers not sufficient to enclose a belly tank...sounds like if you BEEF up stringers and design/ construct them to handle a tank, you'll be OK... ;)...if you're pullin' the floor anyway sounds doable....I'm on your side....I still wanna do it... :)...