1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
2MATTANZA2
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1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby 2MATTANZA2 » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:16 pm

What are the dimensions for the 70-gallon fuel tanks on a 1981 Outrage 24?

My boat still has the original Florida Marine Tanks: two 70-gallon fuel tanks.

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Phil T
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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby Phil T » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:55 pm

The tank is still available from FMT in Henderson NC.

If a local fabricator is to be used, it is recommended to remove the tank, and it serve as a template.
1992 Outrage 17
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jimh
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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby jimh » Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:27 am

The c.1981 OUTRAGE 24 is described as having "two cross-linked 70-gallon tanks."

If the tanks were made by Florida Marine Tanks--a very high probability--it will be unlikely that Florida Marine Tanks will give you at no charge a technical drawing of their dimensions. However, I am sure they would be glad to fabricate replacement tanks.

If replacing the two cross-linked 70-gallon fuel tanks, you can consider changing to a single fuel tank with a different capacity. A new tank just needs to conform to the dimensions of the fuel tank cavity, and, if a smaller capacity, would not need to fill the entire length of the fuel tank cavity.

In c. 1981 the fuel consumption of outboard engines was generally almost double the rate of a modern outboard engine. Today, with modern engines perhaps re-powering the boat, to have a fuel capacity of 140-gallons aboard may no longer be required, particularly if the boat is not used to make very long runs. With modern outboard engines I would expect the fuel economy to be at least 2-MPG at maximum throttle, and better than 2-MPG at lower boat speeds, so 140-gallons would give a range of over 250-miles at full throttle. At lower speeds the fuel economy may be much better. Off-plane modern engines often deliver 5-MPG or better fuel economy on boats of this size and weight.

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Phil T
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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby Phil T » Mon Nov 23, 2020 9:58 am

Jim is correct.

It appears that the model name change in 1982 also included a change from twin tanks to a single.

Aside: Jim - May be worth making a note (*) in the specifications table on the twin tanks.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby jimh » Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:52 pm

Phil T wrote:Aside: Jim - May be worth making a note (*) in the specifications table on the twin tanks.

Done.

2MATTANZA2
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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby 2MATTANZA2 » Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:46 pm

What is the largest fuel tank made by MOELLER that will fit [in the undimensioned space below deck in the original hull mold of what is assumed to be the boat under discussion, a 1981 OUTRAGE 24]?

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Re: 1981 OUTRAGE 24 Fuel Tank

Postby jimh » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:37 am

In order to know what particular MOELLER fuel tank might fit in the space occupied by the original fuel tank or tanks on a 1981 OUTRAGE 24, we would need to know the space available, which was the information sought by your initial inquiry. Without that information, I don't think a particular MOELLER tank can be determined as able to fit.