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Author Topic:   Adding On Deck Fuel Tanks to 18' Outrage

Blackduck posted 11-03-2008 12:12 PM ET (US)
I am thinking of adding a couple of portable fuel tanks below the RPS, Montauck style, to my 18' Outrage. Has anyone here done this, if so, how did you run the fuel line back to the engine?
Buckda posted 11-03-2008 12:21 PM ET (US)
Blackduck -
L H G has done this on his 18' Outrage. It is a temporary setup for occasional use, and I'm not sure how he has the fuel plumbing rigged.
I located a 27 gallon Tempo tank in my 18' Outrage this spring, again, for temporary use on long trips. I am still working on a long-term fuel line plumbing solution. Right now, I have a 3-way valve and have coiled the extra hose when not in use. When in use, the fuel line is laying on the deck under the gunwale and then taped along the edge of the gunwale and over to the console (the tank is in front of the console). It is not an elegant solution, but it does the job.
I plan to plumb a copper line under the gunwale and then add a quick disconnect fitting with a shutoff valve for the permanent solution. That will allow me to remove the line completely from the boat when not needed.
Dave
L H G posted 11-03-2008 12:40 PM ET (US)
I have done this, and alternately use them on either my 18 Outrage or 21 Ribside as needed. See photo:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/lgoltz/Outrage%2021/?action=view& current=Scan0055.jpg
The fuel line from the tank, with plug-in tank connector on it, has to be run across the floor somewhere, and probably directly over and up to underside of the gunwale is the best solution. Anyway you do it, you will still have about a foot of fuel hose on the floor to step on!
Connection to the engine depends on the engine. If it has a plug-in connector, you can simply install a separate fuel line and primer bulb up under the gunwale, loose at both ends, and plug in at both ends as needed. If your engine is "hard-plumbed" for fuel, a three-way selector valve works very well. In that situation, you can install a reserve tank connector line from valve to tanks, coiled up under the gunwale when not needed, and select the main tank. When the aux fuel is needed, select that line, and plug it into the reseve tank(s). The 3 way selector valve can be inserted into the main fuel line either before or after the water sep filter ( I recommend after), makes no difference, since above deck tanks don't have the water/condensation problems that insulated belly tanks have.
For tanks, I highly recommend the Tempo 13's if you can find them. Twin 13's give you a little more flexibility on filling, handling and removal. Tempos have a better shape and design than the Moeller tanks. Or you can buy the big 26 gallon Moeller.
When cruising and in need of the extra fuel on my 18, I run the belly tank dry first, and use the reserve tanks last. That way I always can see exactly how much fuel I have left and plan accordingly. Doing the opposite, still leaves you guessing about remaining fuel in the main tank.
The only time I run the reserve tanks dry first is when I am going to remove them from the boat and put them back in storage.
towboater posted 11-06-2008 05:42 AM ET (US)
Nice boat Larry.
Love that motor.
My 18 Guardian fuel system (no below deck tank...yet) will be very similar (twin 20 gal Moeller's).
Just curious if you notice any handling or trim differences when the below deck tank is empty and the aux tanks are full?

mk
Buckda posted 11-06-2008 08:28 AM ET (US)
Yes...in rolling seas...yes, definitely.
contender posted 11-06-2008 08:21 PM ET (US)
I have done this before when I carried a large extra tank (24 plus gallons) on deck, I purchased another fuel cap, drilled it out and place a tire stem on the cap. Made another fuel line with out the engine connection, Now when your(boat) tank runs down place the gas line end (open end) in the fuel fill of your boat, replace the cap with the one with the valve stem and pump(bike pump) some air in it. It will force the gas into your tank... just another way
towboater posted 11-07-2008 02:14 AM ET (US)
Thx Dave...that's what I thought.
Not a big deal for my purposes but I did consider
dual 20 gal tanks would be more stable than a single 40 gal w/o baffles.
Buckda posted 11-07-2008 08:41 AM ET (US)
Mike -
Yes, that's why I do the opposite of Larry - I run the auxiliary tank dry first, then start on the belly tank. I'd rather have all that weight low on the keel.
The only time I did it differently was on the Lake Nipigon Trip when I wanted to run the belly tank completely dry to determine how much range I actually had with that tank under nominal conditions.
I agree with L H G that doing it his way gives you absolute peace of mind as to what remains in the tank when you do it his way - and if I was planning to make a run that was running at the limits of range for both tanks, that is the method I'd use as well, but for normal situations where fuel is available on shore, my recommendation is to run the above deck tanks empty first, then start on the belly tank. Your planning should be that you are home with 1/3 of TOTAL FUEL remaining in the tank - so depending on the size of your auxiliary tanks, that will mean some amount MORE than 1/3 or your 63 gallon internal tank.
When stretching those limits, I also carry two jerry cans of fuel, meaning that I can add about 10 gallons to the auxilliary tank at the very end of a trip...which gives me a comfortable 30 more miles to find fuel.
Dave
towboater posted 11-07-2008 01:59 PM ET (US)
Back to Black Dogs question about where to run the fuel hose...
When I find time...
I have the tanks and all assy's to plumb a HD 3/8 fuel line from the aft end of the tanks directly aft, midships, laying on top of the deck towards the spill dam. Then 90 towards the stbd side and racor fuel filter.
My 18 Guardian has a OEM tow bit (modified). I plan to build a cedar deck between the back of the fuel tanks and spill dam.
This small deck will protect the fuel line and help dry out a 200 x 5/8 dacron/poly towline and whatever else ends up there.
I will end up with as much room to pass side to side between the tanks and tow bit as passing the console fwd/aft. Custom ss RPS seat back bracket will be removeable without tools.
I have NO DOUBT Im going to prefer the storage capabilities of the area the above deck fuel tanks consume and install a below deck fuel tank after BO repairs the economy.

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Author	Topic: Adding On Deck Fuel Tanks to 18' Outrage
Blackduck	posted 11-03-2008 12:12 PM ET (US) I am thinking of adding a couple of portable fuel tanks below the RPS, Montauck style, to my 18' Outrage. Has anyone here done this, if so, how did you run the fuel line back to the engine?
Buckda	posted 11-03-2008 12:21 PM ET (US) Blackduck - L H G has done this on his 18' Outrage. It is a temporary setup for occasional use, and I'm not sure how he has the fuel plumbing rigged. I located a 27 gallon Tempo tank in my 18' Outrage this spring, again, for temporary use on long trips. I am still working on a long-term fuel line plumbing solution. Right now, I have a 3-way valve and have coiled the extra hose when not in use. When in use, the fuel line is laying on the deck under the gunwale and then taped along the edge of the gunwale and over to the console (the tank is in front of the console). It is not an elegant solution, but it does the job. I plan to plumb a copper line under the gunwale and then add a quick disconnect fitting with a shutoff valve for the permanent solution. That will allow me to remove the line completely from the boat when not needed. Dave
L H G	posted 11-03-2008 12:40 PM ET (US) I have done this, and alternately use them on either my 18 Outrage or 21 Ribside as needed. See photo: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/lgoltz/Outrage%2021/?action=view& current=Scan0055.jpg The fuel line from the tank, with plug-in tank connector on it, has to be run across the floor somewhere, and probably directly over and up to underside of the gunwale is the best solution. Anyway you do it, you will still have about a foot of fuel hose on the floor to step on! Connection to the engine depends on the engine. If it has a plug-in connector, you can simply install a separate fuel line and primer bulb up under the gunwale, loose at both ends, and plug in at both ends as needed. If your engine is "hard-plumbed" for fuel, a three-way selector valve works very well. In that situation, you can install a reserve tank connector line from valve to tanks, coiled up under the gunwale when not needed, and select the main tank. When the aux fuel is needed, select that line, and plug it into the reseve tank(s). The 3 way selector valve can be inserted into the main fuel line either before or after the water sep filter ( I recommend after), makes no difference, since above deck tanks don't have the water/condensation problems that insulated belly tanks have. For tanks, I highly recommend the Tempo 13's if you can find them. Twin 13's give you a little more flexibility on filling, handling and removal. Tempos have a better shape and design than the Moeller tanks. Or you can buy the big 26 gallon Moeller. When cruising and in need of the extra fuel on my 18, I run the belly tank dry first, and use the reserve tanks last. That way I always can see exactly how much fuel I have left and plan accordingly. Doing the opposite, still leaves you guessing about remaining fuel in the main tank. The only time I run the reserve tanks dry first is when I am going to remove them from the boat and put them back in storage.
towboater	posted 11-06-2008 05:42 AM ET (US) Nice boat Larry. Love that motor. My 18 Guardian fuel system (no below deck tank...yet) will be very similar (twin 20 gal Moeller's). Just curious if you notice any handling or trim differences when the below deck tank is empty and the aux tanks are full? mk
Buckda	posted 11-06-2008 08:28 AM ET (US) Yes...in rolling seas...yes, definitely.
contender	posted 11-06-2008 08:21 PM ET (US) I have done this before when I carried a large extra tank (24 plus gallons) on deck, I purchased another fuel cap, drilled it out and place a tire stem on the cap. Made another fuel line with out the engine connection, Now when your(boat) tank runs down place the gas line end (open end) in the fuel fill of your boat, replace the cap with the one with the valve stem and pump(bike pump) some air in it. It will force the gas into your tank... just another way
towboater	posted 11-07-2008 02:14 AM ET (US) Thx Dave...that's what I thought. Not a big deal for my purposes but I did consider dual 20 gal tanks would be more stable than a single 40 gal w/o baffles.
Buckda	posted 11-07-2008 08:41 AM ET (US) Mike - Yes, that's why I do the opposite of Larry - I run the auxiliary tank dry first, then start on the belly tank. I'd rather have all that weight low on the keel. The only time I did it differently was on the Lake Nipigon Trip when I wanted to run the belly tank completely dry to determine how much range I actually had with that tank under nominal conditions. I agree with L H G that doing it his way gives you absolute peace of mind as to what remains in the tank when you do it his way - and if I was planning to make a run that was running at the limits of range for both tanks, that is the method I'd use as well, but for normal situations where fuel is available on shore, my recommendation is to run the above deck tanks empty first, then start on the belly tank. Your planning should be that you are home with 1/3 of TOTAL FUEL remaining in the tank - so depending on the size of your auxiliary tanks, that will mean some amount MORE than 1/3 or your 63 gallon internal tank. When stretching those limits, I also carry two jerry cans of fuel, meaning that I can add about 10 gallons to the auxilliary tank at the very end of a trip...which gives me a comfortable 30 more miles to find fuel. Dave
towboater	posted 11-07-2008 01:59 PM ET (US) Back to Black Dogs question about where to run the fuel hose... When I find time... I have the tanks and all assy's to plumb a HD 3/8 fuel line from the aft end of the tanks directly aft, midships, laying on top of the deck towards the spill dam. Then 90 towards the stbd side and racor fuel filter. My 18 Guardian has a OEM tow bit (modified). I plan to build a cedar deck between the back of the fuel tanks and spill dam. This small deck will protect the fuel line and help dry out a 200 x 5/8 dacron/poly towline and whatever else ends up there. I will end up with as much room to pass side to side between the tanks and tow bit as passing the console fwd/aft. Custom ss RPS seat back bracket will be removeable without tools. I have NO DOUBT Im going to prefer the storage capabilities of the area the above deck fuel tanks consume and install a below deck fuel tank after BO repairs the economy.