1972 OUTRAGE 19: Source for Saddle Fuel Tanks

[yankee4037]

What is a source to buy a saddle tank of at least 18-gallon capacity that will fit a 1972 Outrage 19?

BACKSTORY: The OEM fuel tank capacity of a 1972 OUTRAGE 19 was 40 gallons. Workable dimensions for a saddle fuel tank would be around 10-inches high by 5-to8-inches wide by 26 to 48-inches long.

[jimh]

I don’t understand what constitutes a “saddle” fuel tank.

What does a saddle fuel tank saddle or mount atop?

Perhaps you are asking for fuel tanks to mount under the gunwales.

[Phil T]

Yankee is referring to the two "saddle tanks" under the quarter deck, as listed as an option on the Outrage III in the 1972 catalog. See below:

FIg. 1. From a Boston Whaler 1972 catalog. Note the highlighted text.

tanks.jpg (105.02 KiB) Viewed 5055 times

[yankee4037]

To be more clear. I plan to install two tanks under the gunales in lieu of removing the original tank under the deck. Besides the size of the project, most places are telling me that they are backed up for a year with orders. And $1,200. And shipping is steep.

[jimh]

PHIL—what are “the quarter decks”?

[Phil T]

In recalling my course work from my naval honor school:

Quarter refers to the area rather than a specific point on both the port and starboard sides, aft of amidship and forward of the stern. On a clockface it would be from 3:30-5:30 and 6:30-8:30.

Quarter decks are the flat areas in this area of the boat.

[Phil T]

Custom tank fabrication is running on average at ~$10/gallon of capacity.

Most vendors and shops are understaffed, over scheduled and seeing shipping delays.

If you add your general location to your profile, we may be able to provide a shop in your area.

[jimh]

I acknowledge that in some old catalogue Boston Whaler referred to the fuel tanks as "saddle tanks" and their location as being on the "quarter deck."

The definition of "saddle tank" from Merriam-Webster:

Definition of saddle tank
a water tank straddling the boiler of a locomotive (as a small switch engine) and designed to increase the weight on the drivers

The notion of a saddle is something that is draped over a rounded object and rests on each side. I don't see "saddle tank" as a particularly good description of a thin, high-profile fuel tank designed to be mounted far outboard from keel centerline in the cockpit and under the gunwales.

The definition of "quarter deck" from Merrian-Webster:

Definition of quarterdeck
1: the stern area of a ship's upper deck
2: a part of a deck on a naval vessel set aside by the captain for ceremonial and official use

I don't find the term "quarter deck" as having much use in describing a Boston Whaler classic Outrage boat's deck arrangement.

[jimh]

Quarter refers to the area rather than a specific point on both the port and starboard sides, aft of amidship and forward of the stern. On a clockface it would be from 3:30-5:30 and 6:30-8:30.

I am entirely comfortable with that usage. The descriptor "port stern quarter" or "starboard stern quarter" is a commonly used descriptor.

Quarter decks are the flat areas in this area of the boat.

Perhaps, but the term "quarter deck" has a specific meaning, as conveyed in the usage cited by Merriam-Webster.

Further, I don't think the tall, thin, high-profile fuel tanks that would be installed under the gunwales would be located in the stern near the transom. Wouldn't they be in the cockpit?

Finally, using a meta-search for all continuouswave website content at DUCKDUCKGO, the only instance of the use of the term "quarterdeck" occurs only in this thread. It seems to have never been used before in regard to a Boston Whaler boat in two decades of discussion. I think this speaks to its novelty.

[Phil T]

Personally I think "quarter deck" is a term used on larger ships that have multiple decks. It is not applicable to any model offered by Boston Whaler in 1972.

I think the author of the 19[7]2 catalog content most likely had a naval architect type bearing or did service in the US Navy.

[jimh]

Personally I think "quarter deck" is a term used on larger ships that have multiple decks. It is not applicable to any model offered by Boston Whaler in 1972.

I think the author of the [1972] catalog content was most likely had a naval-architect-type bearing or did service in the US Navy.

Perhaps it represents the on-going problem of the promotional literature being written by specialists in promotional literature, not by the people who designed and built the boats.

When DIck Fisher was around, I suspect he wrote the promotional literature himself. By 1972 Boston Whaler was owned by a CML, a conglomerate, and perhaps their corporate advertising team was involved.

Good discussion.

[yankee4037]

Custom tank fabrication is running on average at ~$10/gallon of capacity.

Most vendors and shops are understaffed, over scheduled and seeing shipping delays.

If you add your general location to your profile, we may be able to provide a shop in your area.

Eastern Shore of Virginia—located two fabricators in NJ;both quoted approximately $1200. 3-4 weeks lead time as of now.

[Phil T]

Like Onley, Exmore, Cape Charles?

Might try calling All in Marine Fabrication in Wachapreague. If they don't, maybe they know someone local.

http://allinmarinefabrication.weebly.com/index.html

[yankee4037]

PHIL--thanks for the leads.

ASIDE: I recently moved here, and I am still feeling my way around. From what I seen this [1972 OUTRAGE 19] should be a good match for the bay waters.

[Phil T]

ASIDE: Spent some time in Pungoteague, back in the day. It's a great area. I think the Outrage is a great hull for the bay side.