[PURSUIT2]

I have a 1988 26' Pursuit with Twin 150 Yamahas. I carry 160 Gallons of Fuel and burn about 16 GPH at 24 Knot cruise for 1.5 Nautical Miles per Hour.

I pull out of Rockaway Inlet and have a good deal of experience sharking the Yankee, Virginia, HA, Glory Hole etc, on my boat. All runs of between 35 and 55 NM from my inlet.

All of my experience thus far in Tuna trolling has been Charter or Friends boats, but next year I want to start going on my boat. I am looking for the best ways to carry additional fuel for these trips. Figuring the 1/3 out rule, I'll need about 50 extra gallons to troll the Chicken Canyon/Bacardi/Texas Tower areas and about 80 extra gallons to troll the Hudson Canyon.

Any advice would be appreciated. BTW, I have owned boats between 18 and 34 feet for 20 years. I know all about the weather and hazards of offshore fishing. I'm pretty confident in my ability to go when appropriate and to get back in the event the unforeseen happens (within reason).

 

[B.Attitude]

I can't get you 50 gals but I had the same problem on my boat so I added a 19 gal plastic TEMPO under each side of my gunnels.I had them strapped down to the deck and tied into the raycor fuel filter with a three way valve so that I can isolate each one.This gave me an additional 26 gals.Check the sizes they have available.
paulie

 

[leakyrivot]

aux tanks

I'm fairly new to boats, so take what I say with caution, but here's my .02.

It really depends how far you want to go with this. As far as where to put it - are you considering actually modifying space in the boat to accomodate another tank?.. Do you have some under the floor or gunwale storage area that can be converted to house a tank (or tanks)?

Here are a few options I see off the top of the bat. If possible, it would be best to get this extra weight as low as possible; this way it will either improve or at least not hurt the center of gravity.

1. Add another permanent tank or tanks somewhere: This could be either something rectangular or another belly tank or a tank in each gunwale. I don't know what you've got for stringers or compartments under that floor, that may be a deciding factor. The downside to this is you may have to modify your boat a bit, and you'll need to be carefull with the spacing of the tanks from the engine. I'm not sure how strong those outboard fuel pumps are - wouldn't want to cause any problems with getting fuel there. With this setup you'd be adding a valve to switch from one tank to another. As far as ease of use and space saving, this might be the best option - cost wise it may be the worst, depending on your boat.

2. Add some temporary fuel tanks. They make a zillion sizes/shapes of temporary type tanks that you just lay on the floor. You could probably get a four 20's, or a few 30's, or whatever. These tanks would take up fishing space, but could be stored anywhere in the boat, and taken out when you don't need the extra fuel. The nice thing is it wouldn't require any modification of your boat. With these tanks, you'd pick a fitting and use it to clip to the tank, and would probably just have one extra input on the valve for fuel supply etc.. This is a pretty cheap option cost wise, but might be a little messy as far as cluttering the deck/boat goes, keep in mind that these tanks tend to release fumes too.

3. An extra fuel supply that is used to fill your existing tank(s). You could add a tank or tanks, removable or not, almost anywhere in the boat and use it to fill the existing tank(s), when they get emptied. They actually make fuel caddy's ( either www.boatus.com or www.westmarine.com ) that have pumps on them to fill another tank. This also saves some money if you are removing it and filling up elsewhere. It wouldn't be hard either to just get a regular tank and add some hose and a pump to it (ie 30psi automotive fuel pump - $30 auto-zone). The upside here is it might not clutter the deck, so much, as it could be stored anywhere. The downside is that with this setup, you are allways using only one tank to feed the outboard - simple, but if anything goes wrong with that tank (ie water somehow gets in the gas) you don't have an easy out.

My boat's far from what you're running, I use about 8 gallons an hour, which is between 20-30 mph. My longest run is round trip of 80 miles; that's after bouncing between fishing spots. At a worse senario of 20 MPH average, that's about 32 gallons of fuel, which is about my tank. I keep an extra full 6 gallon tank around, and bring two 6 gallon jerry-jugs with me. The jerry tuck away nicely in the cabin (but do smell) and the 6 gallon tank tucks under the engine well. That's 18 extra gallons for a 32 gallon trip - better than 1/3 rule.

Jon

 

[PURSUIT2]

Thanks for the replies guys

I was, and still am leaning toward Leakrivot's option 3 of using portable tanks. I know that Tempo makes a 29 Gallon Gaswalker that I could put on and off the boat as I please. The plus of that is that I can fill them up when I fuel up the boat and pump the fuel into the tanks as soon as I arrive at my destination before I go on the troll. Then I can store the empty tanks in the cabin for the rest of the day.

I'm a little nervous to add permament tanks as I'm unsure of the space required and the effect on the boat's handling/performance. I'll probably only need the extra fuel 4-5 times per year.

 

[B.Attitude]

Gas Caddy

I wouldn't recommend the gas caddy.It wasn't made for that purpose.Its really for bringing gas to the dock and filling your tank there.It is dangerous to tranfer gasoline while offshore.You don't know what kind of seas you'll be in when you need it.Alot can go wrong.If you look at the for sale forum look at my boat"Bad Attitude",you might be able to see the portable tanks in a picture.

 

[Hipshot]

Just a suggestion, if you decide to use portable tanks, I would use them first! This way when they are empty you can store them anywhere and if things get rough you will not have full gas tanks banging and flying around your deck. gas is not the safest thing to have around in a boats ****pit.
Hipshot

 

[leakyrivot]

Portable Tanks

I think those portables might be the way to go. It's not much different than the gas caddy - just simpler, because you won't need to even fill at sea. You'll also have the benifit of multiple fuel supplies.

They make pleanty of rectangular tanks, made for being on deck - I'd suggest using the right straps/brackets to hold them down as well. They wouldn't even have to be easily movable full, you could just empty them and then move elsewhere when emptied. I doubt you will effect the handling of that boat much - not sure what it weighs, but I think fuel is under 4 lbs per gallon (3.3 ?). That is < 320 for 80 gallons, no sweat for an 8000 lb boat - just like an extra fat-ass. The only thing is you wouldn't want to mount it say.. on the flybridge .

Jon

 

[B.Attitude]

I believe its 7 lbs a gal. My tanks fit nicely under the gunnel,they stick out about 4".Their really not an obstruction.They are strapped down good and can't move.You can choose any tank by just switching the valve position and you can tie them into your gas filter.

 

[PURSUIT2]

Now I am puzzling over this

Bad Attitude - I checked your boat, nice but I can't see the tanks. I know what you mean though. My major problem is that the boat is not solely owned by me. My Dad owns 1/2 and he will not be happy with a modification above decks. He doesn't fish offshore.

Assuming that I wouldn't proceed offshore in weather that would not faciliate refueling, I think it would be prudent to refuel as soon as I set up for the Troll. If it was bad enough to not refuel, I wouldn't need to, I would have turned back earlier or right then and there.

 

[MakoMatt]

PURSUIT2, there is a store on Sunrise Highway in Copaigue, on the South side of the street, right before the Home Depot as you're heading East. This place carries a great assortment of plastic tanks, containers, etc. that are good for a lot of uses, livewells, FUEL, etc. You can't miss the place, he has the containers all over the property.

MakoMatt

 

[MakoMike]

Guys,
Just a word of caution. If you store any gas tank, empty or full, inside the cabin you may be creating a bomb, that just needs one spark to set it off. Gas vapors are nothing to fool around with. Just ask the guys that own the inboard gas boats that blow up every year.

 

[PURSUIT2]

MakoMatt

Thanks for the advice. I will try that store, but I am from the West End. Can you give me a better idea where the store is exactly? I never heard of Copiaque?

MakoMike - I would store outside while full, then bring inside once empty.

 

[Scalawag]

The Pursuits an '88 I see

Original tanks??
It may be tank changing time anyways, dont need any ruptures while 80 miles out. Have them inspected.
Look into upgrading to higher capacity tanks, it should be easily done.
Get a price if theres too much involved to remove them yourself or you dont have the time, aint going to be cheap but " thats boating " !!
Maybe better off upgrading properly then creating a floating gas bomb, could be dangerous.
Good Luck

 

[MakoMatt]

PURSUIT2, take what you want to Rt.110, to Sunrise Highway East, it is probably less then 1/2 mile from there on the right. After you pass a Toyota dealer, begin to look, you can't miss the place, plastic bins all over the place, real heavy duty good stuff, incl. fuel tanks. If you pass the Home Depot, you went to far. It is probably a block or 2 before there.

About what MakoMike said, he is correct, even with what you think may be empty fuel tanks, there may be enough fuel and vapor left in the container to blow you to kingdom come. It has been said that 1 cup of gas is = to 1 stick TNT if set off correctly. Be careful whenever you carry additional fuel.

MakoMatt

 

[paulh]

check your built in tanks, if they are in question consider increasing the capacity when you upgrade. if you are not ready to upgrade consider the following, portable plastic gas cans with pouring spouts. These things are very tough, i have a storage area under my tackle center where they fit securely and out of the way, on deck, and with mucho ventilation (although they don't really need it). I would never use ANY temporary type gas container in the cabin or below decks. quality plastic gas cans are cheap, safe (when stowed/secured properly) and work great.

 

[621146]

X-TRA FUEL

I have a pursit also and am looking for possible ways to store some extra fuel. I did contact the Pursuit main office in Florida and asked them there opinions on taking extra fuel. Unfortunatley I do not have options to install additional tanks (permanent) because the boat has no room. You may want to give them a call. If I were u I would look into fixed tanks for saftey and to reduce clutter.

 

[fishologist II]

other methods

I was once thinking about doing a long run with my 29' Pro-line,powered by twin o/bs,but could never get a crew.I hold 300 gallons of gas ,but would want 400 or there abouts for a canyon trip.
My game plan was to have been to take a 40 gallon plastic drum of gas and lash it in front of the transom on the port side.I tried it with a drum full of water,so I know the boat can handle it,and my lashing method holds.Also,everyone would bring several items with them:two full 6 gallon portable tanks,a block of ice,and enough cash for the trip,which at that time I guesstimated to be $200 each.With a crew of six,that makes 412 gallons.The gas would have been transferred with an explosion proof Jackrabbit hand pump,and emptied tanks would be lashed to the bow rail.I would also have used extra coolers that could be stored along the walk-around.
A later idea was to try a portable bladder tank,that could be folded up when emptied.
This is my two cents worth.
Pete

 

[615657]

As many would probably agree, i feel that it is a great risk to try pouring gas from one container to your tank in any weather. You must remember you are 50+ miles for land. All you need is one spark and its over. A buddy of mine recently changed the tanks on his tiara and he gained 47 gallons and has the benifit of new tanks. Its the way to go if you are willing to invest the $.

 

[Capt.XXX]

Simple Solution

Buy a bigger boat with greater range.

 

[Captain Mike]

fishologist II

I run the 27' Pro-Line Walk w/ twin 200 EFI's which only holds 200 gallons, and I makes it out to the canyon just fine. Only made 3 trips last year due to weather. Like everyone says you have to pick your days. My total burn at the gas dock is normally 180 gallons, and that was a trip out of Fire Island inlet to the tip trolled down the west wall, hung out at the elbo for awhile and then back up the west wall, around the tip for alittle while and then back home. So if you hold 300 gallons you got plenty. Just pick your days. And don't forget with all that extra gas you won't have enough room for all those BIG EYES!!!!

Fish'em up,
Mike (Double Dip)