Suggestions for fuel capacity, '69 25' hardtop express

daydrmr999 · Post by **daydrmr999** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:23 am

Hi all,
My brother and I are finally going to start working on the rebuild of the boat. We will be putting either a 305 or 350 chevy in her. Our use will be coastal fishing/cruising with occasional trips to the islands (catalina, channel islands california) Any of you all with more experience than I have suggestions for what kind of fuel capacity we should put in the boat? We plan on putting at least two tanks, a main tank with most of the capacity and a smaller "reserve/backup" tank, or two larger tanks of equal size. Any suggestions on that idea?

Thanks,

Mike

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:53 am

At least 50% more then it will take to get to catalina, channel islands california and back .

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:09 am

I think the original tank capacity for the 25 was 60 gallons. With the engines you're thinking about figure on 5 gph running at 8-10 mph. That being the case you'd get about 100 miles on a tank. You can cut your consumption by cutting your speed. I averaged 3gph last year over about 500 miles on the canals but ran at avg of 6 mph. At a cruising speed of 15-18 mph your consumption might be in the 10gph range. Remember to not only size for capacity (gallons) but weight distribution as well.

Hope that helps.

daydrmr999 · Post by **daydrmr999** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 7:52 pm

Thanks guys. As for the 50% more than it would take to get to catalina, I one of the first things I learned about when I got my first boat was the 1/3 1/3 1/3 rule. 1/3 tank out, 1/3 tank back, and 1/3 tank reserve. When I got her she had one forty gallon main tank, and one 26 gallon reserve tank. I'm pretty sure the main tank was original, not sure about the reserve tank. I was thinking about putting in a sixty to 75 main and a thirty or so reserve. The main tank would be near the original location, which was just behind the transmission and pushed to the port side, only I would put the new tank centered or close to center. The reserve was on the starboard side under the captains seat and this seams like a good place for the new reserve. I figure with all the weight of the head, refer, etc on the port side the reserve location was good as far as balance. Oh, also her original engine was a 283, which would probably explain the smaller main tank.

Thanks for the input, still looking for anyone else's opinions.

Thanks a lot,

Mike

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:12 pm

Why not 1 100 gal tank ? ( if you have room )

nowlings · Post by **nowlings** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:17 pm

I have a original tank in my 1966 28' cruiser. Engine size is Ford Interceptor 210 hp. My tank is 70 gallons. at "cocktail cruise" speed I use 3-4 GPH. Hope that my help as point of reference.

daydrmr999 · Post by **daydrmr999** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:26 am

Thanks again guys, keep it coming.

As for the single 100 gallon tank, thought about that, but because of the location of the main tank, and the way the exhaust runs, plus the framing for the cockpit, I haven't been able to figure out a way to do it. Also, just seems like having two tanks adds a little security, feel free to comment on that also.

As far as cocktail cruising, the boat will be used almost exclusively in "open" water hear off of so cal, so except for trolling and leaving the harbor, I don't see us going that slow very often. It would be nice if we had something like the ICW here in so cal cause I would enjoy that kind of cruising. Thanks for that point of reference though, the more info the better.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming,

Mike