fuel tank dilemma

TarponTom · #1 07-12-2002, 07:32 PM

I have only had my 23 Sceptre for a few months and until recently only went out on day trips and topped off the tank before the next trip. Last week I took the first vacation with the boat. Again I topped off the tank so it was full when I started the trip. On the last day (luckily) a few hundred yards from the dock I ran out of gas. I shifted people and gear to the stern (pick-up is in the back) and managed to crank the motor and get back to the dock! Now hears the wierd part. On the way home I stopped to fill-up expecting to need a bank loan and it only took 70 gallons! I tried but could'nt get another drop in. I am going to check the pick-up to see if for some reason its cut short but other than that, I'm lost. Any similar experiences?
Every thing I have read states it should have a 144 gallon tank.

JohnB · #2 07-13-2002, 09:05 PM

Tom,
What did the gas gauge register? You may have other problems too. Check your filter/water seperator, and change it. The lower the gas level, the harder you have to suck gas uphill. There is also an anti-siphon valve, that may have turned on you and need to be replaced. It is probably in the tank, on the end of the pickup tube, some are at the top of the tank. I don't remember which way those are on a seacraft. It could also be a weak gas pump on the motor.
Finally, if you were running the no-wake zone, and had all the dive gear and juck in the cabin, you might of had the nose down quite a bit, but with 50 gal of gas in there, you should of been fine. Let us know what you find out.

TarponTom · #3 07-14-2002, 10:10 AM

JohnB,
You are right about the gear and the no-wake zone. The gauge moved from just above a quarter while on plane to E when at idle. When I shifted the people and gear to the stern and it went back to a quarter. I still havent got a chance to pull the cap off the tank but will check that anti-siphon valve you mentioned too. I'll update you on my find.

FELLOW-SHIP · #4 07-15-2002, 12:07 PM

HA TARPON TOM
JOHN B COULD BE ONTO SOMETHING THERE ABOUT THE GEAR AND THE NO WAKE ZONE ON YOUR BOAT. I REPLACED MY GAS TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK WAS LAYING ON A PIECE OF ½’ PLYWOOD THAT WAS NOT LAMINATED ON BOTH SIDES. THE PLYWOOD HAD CAVED IN AND THE TANK WAS NOW RESTING MOSTLY ON THE HULL OF THE BOAT. WITH A VARIABLE DEAD RISE AND A GAS TANK SITTING (ON THE NATURAL COUTURE OF THE BOTTOM OF THE HULL) YOU WILL HAVE A LITTLE BOW LOWER ANGLE TO THE TANK. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED WATER SITTING IN THE BILGE FORWARD OF THE TRANSOM THAT’S FROM THAT SAME BOW LOWER ANGLE ON A VARIABLE DEAD RISE BOAT. I ALWAYS HAVE HAD A LITTLE CONCERN FOR SOME OF THE GUYS THAT ARE PUTTING A LOT OF FLOTATION ON A BRACKET THAT MIKES THE STERN OF THE BOAT HIGHER THAT THE DESIGN WOULD WARRANT FOR THIS SAME REASON. WHEN I REPLACED MY GAS TANK THE STRINGERS AT THE FRONT OF THE TANK WERE 2” TO 4” TALLER THAN THE STRINGERS AT THE REAR OF THE TANK WHICH ALSO INDICATES THIS VARIABLE DEAD RISE. DON’T GET ME WRONG I LOVE SEACRAFT BECAUSE OF THE VARIABLE DEAD RISE BUT THERE CAN BE SOME OTHER PROBLEMS FOR THE DESIGN THAT STRAIGHT 24 DEGREE BOATS DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]