adding a fuel tank

ronnie105 · 09-27-2009, 05:34 PM

Im new here ,so I hope Im posting my question in the right place.
I have a 1982 ...30' scarab center console W/twin merc 225hp,that came with a 150gallon fuel tank,I need at least another 150 and 200 more would be great..My question is how should I go about adding? I thought about having a tank flush up against the transom and possibly making a seating area on top of it by adding a few cushions,however,there is a large compartment in front of the console that runs up to the cuddy compartment.
Has anyone had any experience doing this?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Fritz · 09-27-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnie105

Im new here ,so I hope Im posting my question in the right place.
I have a 1982 ...30' scarab center console W/twin merc 225hp,that came with a 150gallon fuel tank,I need at least another 150 and 200 more would be great..My question is how should I go about adding? I thought about having a tank flush up against the transom and possibly making a seating area on top of it by adding a few cushions,however,there is a large compartment in front of the console that runs up to the cuddy compartment.
Has anyone had any experience doing this?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Now to answer your question. I hope this does not sound abrasvie, but do you really believe you should be thinking about adding another 1,000 lb or more in weght, particularly gasoline, to a boat that size?

ronnie105 · 09-27-2009, 08:52 PM

Maybe things are done different in Texas,but many of the offshore boats down here 30' or so have 250 to 300 gallons of fuel..thanx for the reply tho

nautiduck · 09-28-2009, 09:33 AM

I had the exact same boat, loved it, now I wish I would have kept it. Having owned one and knowing the ride and balance the transom is not where you want to put that much weight. You need to get the wait amidships either a permanent tank in the floor or maybe a fuel bladder in front of the console. In the floor is the way to go. Mine was a bare hull with the mercs hanging on the back when I bought it. The floor and tank were shot so when I redid the floor I replaced the tank with 225 g one. It worked really well but I dont know how it ran before the new tank to compare the two. Good luck.

OReely · 10-28-2009, 05:43 PM

I think you may be reaching a bit with that amount of fuel in that particular boat. Not saying it can't be done but you should consider a few facts as you plan this.

150 gallons is about 20 cubic feet. That would represent a rectangle 2' x 2' x 5'. 150 gallons of gasoline weighs about 950-975 lbs. 200 gallons is almost 27 cubic feet, or a rectangle about 2' x 2.7' x 5'. It would weigh about 1250-1300lbs. Now, I know the tank won't be those exact dimensions, I was just giving you something to consider. Do you have the room for such a large tank?

The Scarab is fairly narrow. The weight would definitely not be good on the stern. Moving it forward some might be okay. I would place the tank CG just aft of the boats's CG. That way the entire boat would sit lower in the water with a slight bias to trim down by the stern. The trim angle and balance would not be affected greatly, especially if/when you launch the hull.

Setting the tank further aft could lead to some very rough, slamming reentry characteristics. Setting it further forward could become down right dangerous. With a narrow bow, steep entry deadrise and almost zero flair you could stuff the boat and not recover from it.

This is just my opinion but I don't like bladder tanks, especially for gas in a fast boat.

Good luck, however it winds up.

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09-27-2009, 08:52 PM	#3
ronnie105 #1 Lurker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: beaumont,texas Posts: 6 Credits: 56.2 Boat: 30' scarab center console Home Port: sabine pass,texas Occupation: driver	Maybe things are done different in Texas,but many of the offshore boats down here 30' or so have 250 to 300 gallons of fuel..thanx for the reply tho

09-28-2009, 09:33 AM	#4
nautiduck I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte) Posts: 1,272 Credits: 3,847.5 Best Catch: Duckie	I had the exact same boat, loved it, now I wish I would have kept it. Having owned one and knowing the ride and balance the transom is not where you want to put that much weight. You need to get the wait amidships either a permanent tank in the floor or maybe a fuel bladder in front of the console. In the floor is the way to go. Mine was a bare hull with the mercs hanging on the back when I bought it. The floor and tank were shot so when I redid the floor I replaced the tank with 225 g one. It worked really well but I dont know how it ran before the new tank to compare the two. Good luck.

10-28-2009, 05:43 PM	#5
OReely #1 Lurker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Palm Beach Posts: 2 Credits: 30.0	I think you may be reaching a bit with that amount of fuel in that particular boat. Not saying it can't be done but you should consider a few facts as you plan this. 150 gallons is about 20 cubic feet. That would represent a rectangle 2' x 2' x 5'. 150 gallons of gasoline weighs about 950-975 lbs. 200 gallons is almost 27 cubic feet, or a rectangle about 2' x 2.7' x 5'. It would weigh about 1250-1300lbs. Now, I know the tank won't be those exact dimensions, I was just giving you something to consider. Do you have the room for such a large tank? The Scarab is fairly narrow. The weight would definitely not be good on the stern. Moving it forward some might be okay. I would place the tank CG just aft of the boats's CG. That way the entire boat would sit lower in the water with a slight bias to trim down by the stern. The trim angle and balance would not be affected greatly, especially if/when you launch the hull. Setting the tank further aft could lead to some very rough, slamming reentry characteristics. Setting it further forward could become down right dangerous. With a narrow bow, steep entry deadrise and almost zero flair you could stuff the boat and not recover from it. This is just my opinion but I don't like bladder tanks, especially for gas in a fast boat. Good luck, however it winds up.