Big fuel tank in little rib?

SimonStDavids · 11 July 2013, 23:42

I am contemplating putting a bigger fuel tank into my 4m searider and am wondering whether anyone else has?

At the moment I have the standard arrangement of a hulk tank in the console, but being quite light I find the boat goes better when it's full so I have thought about upping its size.

I have seen some large 60 something litre and 90 something litre plastic tanks that are quite slim and might work. But to fit them into the console I would have to cutout part of the deck! Eeek

I thought I could cutout the shape of the tank into the deck and make a recess for the tank without too much trouble out of fibreglass but was wondering

1- would the bit taken out of the deck weaken the overall structure?

2- would that much weight forward screw the balance?

3- would adding more weight low down change the handling in a bad way?

4- has anyone else tried it or is it just a dull idea?

Thanks

whisper · 12 July 2013, 00:07

I would go for 2 x fuel bladders, one on each tube and keep the tanks where they are

What engine are you running?

MustRib · 12 July 2013, 03:08

I wouldnt cut into the deck
it floods under the deck on the searider ....
even if you have it sealed...weakening the deck is not a good idea.
fuel bladders as suggested is probably best.

chris.moody · 12 July 2013, 07:48

I have a 25l tank in the console on my SR4, and have been experimenting with a 22l tank that I strap down on the deck behind the console for extra fuel capacity. With both tanks full the handling is not affected, and it will still hit 30kts. I was expecting to have to trim in a hole on the engine with the extra weight in the rear, but didn't need to. Next experiment will be with a pair of 22l tanks plus the console tank. This third tank may go behind the console (the two 22l tanks alongside each other) or it may go in front of the console. I will probably rarely carry the third tank as 69 litres in a SR4 is a bit OTT.

Trevor G · 12 July 2013, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by whisper

I would go for 2 x fuel bladders, one on each tube and keep the tanks where they are

I agree - if you're not careful you'll spend ages working on fitting a tank that you use once in a blue moon.

After the Round Ireland in a few weeks time I'll have a couple of bladder tanks for sale! (I've 4 x 22L bladder tanks and 2 x 25 Litre plastic tanks on my SR4.7 for the RI 2013, but won't usually need this much capacity!)
Trev