Adding a Second Gas Tank

[BradV]

I have been on the phone for the last two days going over stringer and bulkhead locations as well as reinforcement after removing the bulkhead. I am going to add a second fuel tank in the cabin floor just in front of the berth. From the looks of it i can add about a 75-80 gallon tank in this space. I am going to get brackets welded on the tank to suspend it above the deck so it wont be touching anything then i am going to two part foam it in place after that to seal it up. I am going to pull the vent, fill, and two pick ups to the side and run them under the gunnel to the back and then reconnect them on a switch before the fuel filters.

The reason for adding another tank is running to the islands with 173 gallons in the back of the boat plus the twin 225's back there is a ton of weight to overcome with tabs. Not to mention the cooler and people sitting back there. So I figured a good way to add some weight is to put in additional tank and gain some range as well. Anyone have any questions comments concerns.

 

[Primo]

BradV,
That's a great idea. When doing offshore trips, I carry an additional 30 gallons of fuel under my gunnels. On my 1999 2530, the area that you described has a holding tank for the head and the forward bilge pump.

Do you have the same set up and if so, where are you going to relocate the pump and holding tank?

I'd like to do something similar. But it sounds like alot of glass work.

 

[pfeifferj1]

Don't know what boat you have. However, my 2520 also has twin 225s and added two 37 1/2 Gal tanks under the gunals for a total of 75 additional. Seems to work well. Also doesn't take up a lot of space. Work was done by Marine Fabricators in Deltavile Va. Good Luck

 

[BradV]

I have the 2530. where under the gunnels did you add two tanks? My tank is only 173 gallons right now. With the extended cabin it is pretty far back in the hull right now. It also spans the entire beam pretty much and goes about 2 feet from the transom. It doesnt seem like that much work really. I just have to cut the hole for the tank remove 1 bulkhead mount the tank and then i will reuse the piece i cut and just silicone it in place in case i have to do anything with it again. I dont not have a holding tank or forward bilge in my boat. It is all sealed up right now. I have the port a potti up front.

 

[DaleH]

I am going to add a second fuel tank in the cabin floor just in front of the berth.

Do you mean right under the floor of the inside cabin/helm area?

If so, my only concern is that this is the part of the hull that takes the majority of the parting and pounding of the sea state. Now you're adding ~70-gallons times the 'nominal' weight of 6.2 pounds (@ 70-degrees F) per gallon or roughly 455-pounds lessthe weight of the tank and hoses.

I prefer any dead weight to be back to the middle of the boat and aft, but that's just my bias. I hear you on that puppy's stern being heavy, but I think I'd put 3 or 4 big guys into the cabin first, with your regular or anticipated load on already.

 

[BradV]

well as of now when we go everything and i mean everything that i can put in the berth goes in there i even put a 100qt yeti cooler in there along with fishing diving and personal gear. has absolutely no affect on keeping the bow down. Even without a heavy load this boat sits stern heavy. Not to mention when you get in a nasty head sea nobody wants to sit next to you in the pilot house so i have 3 or 4 people on the transom. I am going to glass some 1 x 6 in below where the tank is to help with removing the bulkhead. plus i think attaching the tank to the stringers with clips will help. I guess once i cut it open ill know how big of a tank i can go with.

 

[gw204]

What size tabs do you have on there now? If they are big enough, you shouldn't have any problems getting the bow down.

As far as your tank plan, my only concern is your mounting method. Please DO NOT try and suspend that tank using tabs welded to it. The weight of the fuel and the jostling it will take due to location could possibly shear off the tabs which in turn could actually tear a hole in the tank. What I would do is glass in a subfloor (supported by a mini-stringer on each side of the keel) that the tank can rest on. Use the tabs to hold it in place and also foam around it.

Make sure to epoxy coat that tank before installing too. Good luck.

 

[ppem45]

I think if I were going to install a tank in that area, I would consider having a composite made of anything but not metal. I too would worry about it moving and splitting a weld. At least with one of another material it will give a little more than metal. As Dale mentioned that area takes one hell of a beating. Just my 2 cents!

 

[BradV]

I am going to get a v tank made so that it has about 1.5" of space all around it and it is going to be foamed in place in addition to having the tabs support it. I talked with the engineers and thats how the tanks are installed from the factory. The tabs i have on there now are 12" x 16" Long. I talked with lenco and the biggest i can go without changing the actuator is a 14 x 18 which doesnt seem like it would do much and would also put me past the chime on the outside and closer to the engines with the twin set up. If anything i would have to change them all out. I was just figuring a tank would be a good way to add ballast to the boat and have it be somewhat funtional. Most people that i have asked this question to have said put lead in the anchor locker which makes sense but in my opinion the boat weighs enough why add weight for fun. I may move the tank back a little bit more to the next bulkhead back which means about 17" Further towards the back. I am thinking with 4 tabs welded on and screwed through the stringers and foaming the tank in place i should be pretty good. Not like im launching this thing. I just like to keep the bow down and be able to run around 22 or 23 in a head sea with a full load.

 

[Bryan 2530]

This is something I have been thinking about also, adding extra fuel.

Make sure you post up pics when you get the floor cut out.

 

[BradV]

Hey bryan do you have your holding tanks in that area or is it just wasted space underneath? i think im going to go back another bulkhead and add a hatch to store life jackets so they arent always sitting in the middle of the berth.

 

[Megabyte]

Sounds like you've been talking to the engineers at Parker to weigh your options...
Have they ever installed a fuel tank in the area that you are considering?

I know that the factory will build almost anything you want, as a special request when you order a boat. My boat is a perfect example... Whoever ordered my boat had the factory install 3 fuel tanks in her (221 total gallons :shock: ).

Talk about heavy!
I only filled all 3 tanks once. Never again.

 

[BradV]

I dont think they have ever put a tank in this spot but the engineer doesnt seem to think its much of an issue as long as the tank is screwed into the stringers and foamed in place. I would imagine when we go to the bahamas we add almost 3k of weight to the boat with people and gear not even inlcluding gas. Thank god for the 225's. The engineer seems to think its not that big of a deal to remove that bulkhead as long as i put some wood back and glass it in. We are planning a couple of runs to lucaya and the Abacos in the next few months. Lucaya is about 90 miles one way and the abacos are about 150. Not that i cant fill up when over there but its alot more money and sometimes they are out of gas and you never know what kind of quality it is. Megabyte where are your 3 tanks?

 

[Megabyte]

Megabyte where are your 3 tanks?

All 3 are below the cockpit deck.
You can see all but the rear set of deck plates for each tank in the photo below.

You can see the rear set of deck plates in this photo.

The main tank is 127 gallons (according to the tank tag) and the two wing tanks are 47 gallons each.

 

[Bryan 2530]

Hey bryan do you have your holding tanks in that area or is it just wasted space underneath? i think im going to go back another bulkhead and add a hatch to store life jackets so they arent always sitting in the middle of the berth.

No, I have the porta potti and it is wasted space. There is a 8" pie plate hatch to get into a large area of nothing but a bilge pump. It also appears there is alot of space under the cabin sole, that is why I would like to see pics of yours.

I was thinking of extra fuel or a place for a small portable Generator when not in use for that front bilge. Also considered cutting the floor like Horndog did.

Keep us posted, that will be one badass 2530 when done, it already is with that tower.

 

[BradV]

i can definately see why that would be so heavy with all the tanks in the back. what are you pushing it with a single 250?

 

[Megabyte]

i can definately see why that would be so heavy with all the tanks in the back. what are you pushing it with a single 250?

Single 225 OX66

 

[Phil]

Here’s the cut out I did on my 23’. I use it to store my liferaft ect. This area is where the forward bilge pump is located and where the anchor weep hole drains. I made a dry floor with 1 x 6 pressure treated layed across the V bottom to keep the bilge pump and bilge area intact. I’m not sure how the 25’ is configured but you should at least put a moisture barrier coat on the tank .

 

[HM5]

Don't forget to run a tube down the keel under the tank to allow bilge water to run from the anchor locker to the back bilge

 

[pfeifferj1]

Look at you cockpit photo. I added the two tanks right where you have you deck brush laying. Removed the rod holders and put one tank on each side.
Cheers