Amount of usable fuel on board

[Diamond Bear]

Andrew: I recently made a bad decision to take a short cruise with a little less than half a tank of fuel on board...usually we could have made the round trip with this amount of fuel, but I was towing a 16' outboard and the water got pretty rough both directions....The low alarms began to sound about 10 miles away from our dock and we made it in showing a low of 5 gallons and a high of 12 gallons depending on the roll of the boat. I fueled at my own dock and took on 68 gallons, which means I had 7 gallons left upon my return...Can you estimate the amount of "usable fuel" in the tank? ie: location of pick up line in the bottom. The Smart Craft on board is accurate, I just want to know how close I was and I never want to go there again....thanks. Ed

 

[Andrew Custis]

The Sender is located in the center of the fuel tank. The actual fuel pickup and return are located on the very aft center of the fuel tank. If you were that low on fuel, it would be smart to ride with the bow high and you could use nearly all of the fuel down to about a gallon I would say.

 

[Stella Maris]

Ed,
From past experience, I can tell you...... one time we took on 74.5 gallons of fuel..... now, that's cutting it close.

 

[Diamond Bear]

Thanks to you both for the good info...7 gallons was plenty close enough for me and I will do all I can to avoid that situation in the future...but it's good to know just how far it can be stretched. ed

 

[rt11002003]

It wouldn't hurt to carry a few gallons of fuel in a separate container, along with the ever useful funnel. If you do, then learn how to prime the system after running out of fuel. I pour the fuel from the container into the main tank every couple of months and replace it with fresh fuel.

Gene

 

[Stella Maris]

Ed,
I would suggest you not stretch it too the extreme that we did. It was quite a ride back wondering if we were going to make it........

 

[Diamond Bear]

Suggestion well taken, believe me! I was stressed to the max and we were in pretty rough seas as well. The fuel sender was jumping all over the place, but continuly getting lower. No way could we have used a Gerryjug and funell to put fuel in, even if we had had some on board...The ABSOLUTE RULE IS: Just don't go out without topping off the fuel tank!!!! then plan the trip with lots of spare fuel left!!!
That's the best solution....thanks for all the tips. ed

 

[captd]

In the process of trying to end up with a small amount of fuel on board for the trip to Florida, I have run the fuel gauge down to 16 gal. The beeper went off. As Andrew mentioned, as soon as the bow came down the buzzer gave warning. From Bremerton to Port Orchard where truck and trailer is parked is only a couple of miles. Used all on board water so we are set to go. Seems to be a very acurate system.

captd

 

[Bruce Moore]

Recommendation from US Power Squadron: when planning a trip, follow the rule of 3rds. One third of fuel on board to get to your destination. One third to get back. One third for reserve.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[captd]

Bruce,
What marina did you guys spend the night. We came over on the ferry. Got a cooler full of sea food.Now we will hurry home and eat.

Enjoy that Moon Dance
Darrel & Dee

Nice meeting you folks, see you next year

 

[Bruce Moore]

We're moored at Elliott Bay Marina - right here. You can see the ferry routes on this map.

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[norbhat]

Ed, I think we had a conversation about this . . . but for the record: We came limping into a fuel stop with the gauge showing .3 gal. We filled up with 73.5 gal. (At least that was the Canadian conversion.)

No one has to learn this lesson twice! 😳

Norb Hattendorf
"Two If By Sea"

 

[tim&kim]

Kim and I travelled from Gibsons to Des Moins( via Ganges and Friday Harbour ) and arrived into the breakwater with 0 ( zero ! ) gallons showing on the system. After arriving happily at the fuel dock we took on 71 gallons .

KIm and Tim Thomspon
Ranger 25-"big attitude"