2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Sat Oct 15, 2022 12:54 pm

I've purchased the new, white, 22-gallon on-deck plastic fuel tank for a 2014 170 MONTAUK. I now realize this large fuel tank will sit on top of the existing hole in the cockpit deck provided for the fuel hose that was located under the helm seat and goes through the rigging tunnel ceiling.

To accommodate the new larger tank, either:
  • the access hole needs to be moved, or
  • the fuel tank needs to lifted about an inch so the hose can pass underneath.

I'm considering lifting the tank an inch using 1-inch x 4-inch plastic decking material. There appears to be enough height under the seat [to accommodate a raised tank--even this larger tank], and lifting of the tank may allow for the tank to be located an inch or two more forward.

I'm assuming others with a c.2014 Montauk 170 have run into the same problem while installing this 22-gallon tank.

Q1: is a simple solution escaping me?

If so, please reply with advice or comment on my two potential solutions.

User avatar
Alibertucci
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:49 pm

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby Alibertucci » Tue Oct 18, 2022 4:24 pm

Do you have a photo?

Below in Figure 1 you see my on-deck fuel tank. There is very little space but the hose does fit through the tunnel where the tank sits under the RPS.

Tank.jpg
Fig. 1. A 2000 Montauk 17 with Moeller 22-gallon tank with fuel hose into rigging tunnel.
Tank.jpg (66.28 KiB) Viewed 3128 times
Smooth Whalin
2000 Montauk 17
90 HP Mercury Two Stroke Saltwater

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Wed Oct 19, 2022 1:08 pm

Sorry, I don't have a photo. I'm 3,000 miles from my boat right now. Although, I will be working on it in about a month.

I have a 2014 170 Montauk and the set up is different than yours. The area under the seat has a three sided fiberglass enclosure which is open to the stern and the fuel hose enters near forward end.

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Wed Oct 19, 2022 1:26 pm

Figure 2 below shows someone’s rigging of a fuel tank on a 170 MONTAUK.

I don't know how the hose was routed. On my 2014 170 MONTAUK boat, if I slide the 23-gallon on-deck fuel tank into place [under the pilot seat], then the fuel will be sitting atop the fuel hose as the hose enters the [opening on the deck].

22 gallon tank on Montauk 170.jpg
Fig. 2. A photo of some other boat shows the installation of a 22-gallon fuel tank under the pilot seat of what is believed to be a 170 MONTAUK.
22 gallon tank on Montauk 170.jpg (34.23 KiB) Viewed 3101 times

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Sun Oct 30, 2022 9:39 am

The on-deck Moeller white fuel tank shown above in Figure 2 has been moved aft about three inches. I presume the fuel hose enters the rigging tunnel on the forward side of the fuel tank.

User avatar
Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby Phil T » Sun Oct 30, 2022 11:52 am

Many installations of a 15-gallon-or larger on-deck fuel tank on a classic Montauk 17 or post-classic 170 include drilling a one-inch-diameter hole in the deck to allow the fuel hose to enter the rigging tunnel.

The typical location for the hole in the deck is on the centerline, two or three inches aft of the rear wall of the tank when installed under the RPS.

Use of marine sealant and a short piece of brass tube is recommended.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Sun Oct 30, 2022 4:57 pm

Phil T wrote:Use of marine sealant and a short piece of brass tube is recommended.
Please elaborate on using a brass tube. Is is for the fuel line? Or just where the rubber hose passes through the deck?

User avatar
Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby Phil T » Sun Oct 30, 2022 5:43 pm

The brass tube is used to finish the hole in the deck. The hose is routed through it,
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Sun Oct 30, 2022 10:06 pm

The really important element of the fuel tank location relative to the pilot seat is the location of the fuel tank filler cap. The filler cap should not be buried under the seat. Fuel should be able to be added to the tank without dragging outbthe tank from under the pilot seat.

If a new hole on the deck to accommodate a new location for where the fuel hose will enter the rigging tunnel has to be made, that’s part of the new tank installation.

On a corollary topic, how much fuel endurance is really needed? With a modern 90-HP engine and even running at full throttle, the fuel burn rate will be about 8-GPH. A 22-gallon tank gives over 2-hours 30-minutes running time—at the boat’s top speed.

At a moderate cruising speed, the fuel economy is much better, over 6.3-MPG. That gives a range of about 130-miles. That is a lot of distance to cover in a 17-footer between fuel stops.

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:13 pm

As I mentioned earlier, I'm not with my boat for a few more weeks to make some precise measurements. I remember a few things from last summer when I first placed the 22-gallon tank into the space under the seat.

The 22-gallon on deck fuel tank uses almost the entire area under the pilot seat of a 2014 MONTAUK 170, except for about 1-inch at the forward end where about a 1-inch-wide by 1-inch-high fiberglass lip occurs. If I remember correctly this lip is part of the fiberglass seat structure.

When the tank is moved up tight to this lip the tank still protrudes to the rear of the seat by a few inches. At this location there is still plenty room to access the gas fill cap.

Now that drilling another hole through the deck for a new fuel hose route to the rigging tunnel has been suggested--thanks Phil--I may be able to drill another hole through the forward lip and pull my hose through it. Moving the entire tank back to use the existing hole would take up more deck space than I'd like to lose.

As I mentioned earlier I may still raise the tank an inch, use the existing hose routing hole (going under then over the tank) and be able to move the tank another inch forward. I'll be able to move it forward since the tank could then ride on top of the forward lip.

I appreciate the interest and ideas. I'll get back in about a month with some good photos, measurements and hopefully a successful tank placement.

As for the reason for a bigger tank, I have several. I have days were I travel 50- to 60-miles, and I like to have at least a one-third- reserve of fuel in case weather acts up or other situations occur. Also, I use the boat for several days of camping and fishing at remote sites, not near fuel stations. Those extra gallons are really nice for that, too. Then there is just the convenience of not having to visit the gas station as much.

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Tue Nov 01, 2022 12:46 pm

Thanks for elucidating your reasons for a larger fuel tank capacity. They are all good reasons to carry more fuel aboard than the standard twin 6-gallon fuel tanks on your 170 MONTAUK.

Ridge Runner
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Florham Park NJ / Punta Gorda FL

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby Ridge Runner » Wed Nov 16, 2022 3:46 pm

jimh wrote:The on-deck Moeller white fuel tank shown above in Figure 2 has been moved aft about three inches. I presume the fuel hose enters the rigging tunnel on the forward side of the fuel tank.


Jim is correct.

Figure 2 illustrates my 2005 170 Montauk with the 22-gallon Moeller on-deck fuel tank. The fuel hose does indeed enter the rigging tunnel on the forward starboard side of the deck under the RPS.

I removed the RPS and used the permanent aluminum Moeller hold down kit. I then routed the fuel line and the reinstalled the RPS.

Jim is again correct in noting that by also moving the tank slightly to the rear fueling the tank becomes much easier as the filler neck is readily available. I do not recommend mounting this tank almost flush to the front of the RPS.
Member since 2005
2005 170 Montauk, 2010 E-TEC 115 H.O.
2016 210 Montauk, 2017 E-TEC G2 200 H.O.

"Red sky at night, sailor’s delight - Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning”

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Fri Dec 23, 2022 1:49 pm

I returned to my Boston Whaler 2014 170 MONTAUK boat, and I have now installed the 22-gallon tank using the plastic deck boards to lift my tank 1-inch higher. I used a small amount of 3M4200 to secure the boards.


fig3.jpg
Fig. 3. One of four plastic deck board with dimensions 24 x 5.5 x 1 inches used to raise the fuel tank above the deck.
fig3.jpg (12.48 KiB) Viewed 2664 times


fig4.jpg
Fig. 4. Deck boards in place under RPS and adhered with 3M4200 adhesive sealant.
fig4.jpg (23.01 KiB) Viewed 2662 times


Lifting the tank allows the original hose location to be used and helps to move the tank forward under the RPS.

fig5.jpg
Fig. 5. The raised fuel tank allows the fuel hose to use the original location of the fuel hose entry point into the deck.
fig5.jpg (15.04 KiB) Viewed 2662 times


This results in a few inches more deck space at the aft end yet still having good access to the fill cap.

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Fri Dec 23, 2022 1:51 pm

tank top view.jpg
Fig. 6. Top view of the fuel tank under the RPS.
tank top view.jpg (34.5 KiB) Viewed 2703 times


tank front view.jpg
Fig. 7. View of fuel tank from aft side of RPS
tank front view.jpg (33.09 KiB) Viewed 2703 times


fig8.jpg
Fig. 8. Close up showing foam spacers, location of footman's loops, and the retaining strap.
fig8.jpg (36.32 KiB) Viewed 2662 times


The only holes I drilled were to attach the stainless footman's loops to the RPS. These loops anchor a 1.5-inch-wide strapsused to secure the tank. A 9- to 10-foot-long strap is adequate.

The tank fits tightly, and it is hard to budge once the strap is pulled tight. I added some insurance by placing non-skid plastic shelving material between the tank and deck boards. I also used some 3-inch-diameter plastic packaging material between the RPS top and tank. It seems to be locked in quite tightly now, but I’ll monitor to see if it remains tight after a few fishing trips. I’ll report any important findings to the forum.

In summary. the advantages to this method are:
  • no holes drilled into the deck
  • RPS does not need to be removed
  • easy removal of tank if necessary for cleaning or inspection
  • easy install
The disadvantage are
  • plastic deck boards or other KING StarBoard-type material are expensive unless you have a neighbor with scraps (like I did)
  • not field tested yet

MarkCz
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2018 3:44 pm

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby MarkCz » Fri Dec 23, 2022 10:08 pm

I also used foam for my 1987 Montauk 17 boat to fill the space between the top of a new fuel tank and the RPS seat bottom to prevent shifting. After three years I have had no concerns about the tank shifting.

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Sat Dec 24, 2022 7:33 am

Your method of raising the tank in order to preserve the original fuel hose routing to the through-deck access hole is quite crafty.

You might consider inverting the mounting of the Footman's Loop retainers to be on the inside of the RPS base, still using the same location and same holes. This would give the strap more pull on the tank and also look a bit cleaner. All that would be visible on the outside would be the screw fastener heads.

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Tue Dec 27, 2022 12:51 pm

Excellent idea Jim. Great result, it may even hold the tank tighter. Thanks.

jh imp 3.jpg
jh imp 3.jpg (40.8 KiB) Viewed 2620 times
jimh improvement.jpg
jimh improvement.jpg (40.08 KiB) Viewed 2620 times
improve 2.jpg
improve 2.jpg (49.15 KiB) Viewed 2620 times

jimh
Posts: 11674
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 12:25 pm
Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
Contact:

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby jimh » Sat Dec 31, 2022 6:40 pm

Your revised location for the holding strap looks very good.

tomolalla
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2022 9:52 am
Location: Tampa FL and Gig Harbor WA

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby tomolalla » Fri Mar 31, 2023 1:18 pm

I've now had a few months of use with my new tank and it is staying well secured. Although I'm wondering how this Moeller tank is vented.

The cap doesn't have an obvious vent but it may be happening through the little black fitting on top of the gauge?

Also do I need to place a fuel demand valve into my fuel hose system? I have a 2014 90 HP 4 stroke EFI Merc. I'm assuming those fuel demand valves are more useful for older carbureted engines (to reduce spills/emissions), but I see they came with my original 6 gallon tanks with the same motor. Is there a legal requirement to have a demand valve integrated into my fuel system?

I look forward to a reply.

User avatar
Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: 2014 170 MONTAUK: Fuel Hose Route with 22-gallon Tank

Postby Phil T » Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:21 pm

The vent is in the cap.

No to installing a fuel demand valve. Not required. They cause nothing but trouble. You don't need this.

Sorry to be the naysayer but I don't like the tank not fully supported. This design could lead to a structural failure down the road.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003