Anybody installed an additional fuel tank to boost the overall fuel capacity. We've just recently returned from a 220 mile cruise off SoCal, no wind forced us to motor all the way. I carried 15 gallons of additional fuel on deck (which I eventually needed). We are converting our aft cabin to storage and I am thinking of fitting a tank on the port side of that cabin. Extended cruising in Mexico is in our future, we are now wondering if the C-36 will be.
Thanks,
—
Tony Cullen
s/v Sceptre
1995 C-36 MkII 1449 TR/FK
San Diego, CA. (Chula Vista Marina)
[url]http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6454.msg42034.html#msg42034[/url]
Lots of boats like ours have done trips to Mexico without additional fuel tanks installed. I certainly don't have statistics for this, but if you're burning 0.5 gallons per hour in a 23 gallon tank, you have 46 hours of motoring at 5 knots is a range of 230 nm, pretty much the limit as you said, and no one wants to run down to an empty tank.
Most folks bring deck tanks with them, use them if they have to, and fill up when they get there.
The Super Siphon is a great tool to have.
If you have a boat as nice as a C36, why bother to change boats?
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
For extended cruising I have thought about getting an asym chute, which would make a huge different in range when the wind is favorable, but I have never considered additional (fixed) fuel tankage. These situations are very exceptional, for me anyway.
When I do long range cruising where fuel might be an issue (example, a no wind trek from Neah Bay to Astoria) I carry four plastic 5-gallon cans. I secure the cans at the cockpit table stanchions.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
When we have cruised where carrying extra fuel is a necessity, having the 5-gal jugs is handy when you need to get fuel other than a marina.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from considering a permanent additional fuel tank, but I doubt we would ever go that route.
Duane Ising - Past Commodore (2011-2012)
s/v Diva Di
1999 Catalina 36 Hull #1777
Std rig; wing keel, M35B, Delta (45#)
Punta Gorda, FL
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/diva-di/
Thank you all for your prompt and knowlegeable responses. As a retired Saturation Diving Superintendent I have always maintained a back-up for the back-up for the back-up; or as the Irish say, "To be sure, to be sure, to be sure". Our recent 200+NM cruise offered us very little wind and seemed to always be a noserly. We carry an Assym and a 135% Genoa, so we can always avail of light favorable winds. Our plans are to let go in about 3 years time and cruise the Sea of Cortez, proceed down the coastline of mainland Mexico and continue on to Costa Rica and points further. That's where my concern for larger fuel tankage comes up. I've always worked on the fuel Rule of Thirds (1/3 out, 1/3 return, 1/3 reserve). I can carry a few 5 gallon fuel jugs on the side decks but that has its own disadvantages (side deck access, additional high weight, windage and wave impact).
I'm hoping the aft cabin will satisfy our storage needs, including a permanent fuel tank if possible but need to know how much weight can actually be placed in that cabin and still maintain trim.
Thankyou for the Super Siphon suggestion Stu, I looked into it and ordered two.
Please respond with any suggestions that may come to mind.
Thank you all again for your input.
Tony
Tony Cullen
s/v Sceptre
1995 C-36 MkII 1449 TR/FK
San Diego, CA. (Chula Vista Marina)
I can't address a fuel tank specifically, but my '97 MK II has a centerline water tank, a starboard water tank and an empty compartment on the port side. I'd think that you could add a fuel tank in that compartment. I don't use my stbd water tank unless I'm going away for more than a few days (rare unfortunately). But when I do use it, the trim isn't affected as much as a full bow tank, in my experience.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
[QUOTE=sceptre1;9832]Thank you all for your prompt and knowlegeable responses. As a retired Saturation Diving Superintendent I have always maintained a back-up for the back-up for the back-up;
Thank you for the Super Siphon suggestion Stu, I looked into it and ordered two.
Please respond with any suggestions that may come to mind.
[/QUOTE]
Tony,
You're very welcome.
Two Super Siphons! Backup, backup, is right, still a good idea. :) Heck, you could use one for each different tank! :eek:
What are your thoughts about fueling from two different tanks? Separate feeds or transfer?
Stu
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Been travelling overnight, reason for delay in responding. Stu, the second Super Siphon is for my home genset, I'm not really that extra cautious! Regarding a fuel transfer or a separate feed system I think I'd go with the transfer method...less plumbing, fittings, filters and power supply; I will follow-up as I put more thought into it. I'm still in the very early stages of designing a system and have thought about Gary & Cathy's suggestion (thank you) of utilizing the aft centerline water tank area for a new fuel tank. That area would be available as I plan on fitting a watermaker too (Stu, just one). I love my C-36 and if I can make some wet & dry storage modifications to meet our cruising needs we would be satisfied. Also, want to thank Bud Street for his excellent article in Mainsheet on the dual Racor Filter installation.
This is one great Association.
Tony
Tony Cullen
s/v Sceptre
1995 C-36 MkII 1449 TR/FK
San Diego, CA. (Chula Vista Marina)
[QUOTE=sceptre1;9817]We are converting our aft cabin to storage and I am thinking of fitting a tank on the port side of that cabin. [/QUOTE]
Just FYI, my boat has cruised Mexico with the prior owner. They installed a watermaker, but no extra fuel tankage. If I were trying to add fuel capacity and did not want to carry jerry cans on deck, I would probably find a way to lock down some jerry cans in the aft cabin. Or, carry some on deck and some below. This would give you more flexibility and allow you to balance them better than a single tank. Refilling would be easier (just hand 'em up) and the whole set-up could be removed when you're not cruising. I would also mention that while you're cruising you will be more attuned to the weather in your path and you will be able to choose your weather windows. Just as I wouldn't depart if the winds were projected to be 40 knots, I also wouldn't depart on a 220 mile "cruise" when forecasted wind was Zero.:rolleyes: I think under normal conditions, you will be just fine.
Mike
Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA
Tony, if you're interested in a watermaker installation and equipment selection, let me know, I can point you to one one of our members installed for his Mexico trip.
As far as plumbing is concerned with a second tank, I suggest it would be far easier to manage a transfer to the main tank, since you have to take into consideration the return fuel, too. But then you'd have to pump fuel from #2 to #1. Boats: a constant tradeoff...:)
Given my friend's experiences in Mexico, you'd be far better off with 5 gallon refills (and probably never need to use one) and a watermaker than thinking you need both.
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
We installed a "side board" with 3 6 gallon diesel tanks amidships on the port side (same side as fuel fill). When we sailed my Catalina 36 OUTSIDE from Narragansett bay to Marathon FL.
We refueled from these tanks by:
1. Untie tank from sideboard.
2. Slide the tank down the sidedeck as far as it would go.
3. Insert the Supersyphon into the tank.
4. Open the deck fill
5. Insert Supersyphon hose into the fill
6. Wrap a diesel diaper around the hose and hold it tightly in place (we were being slapped by wave spray abeam)
7. At the tank, give the SuperSyphon a couple shakes and the fuel simply flows where you want it.
It was a 2 man operation, but this method was quick, effortless (nobody had to actually lift the tank, we just slid it along the side deck), and clean. We got wet from the waves, but the diesel diaper prevented any water from going into the tank.