Dual Fuel Tanks - How to Set Valves? - The Hull Truth

Ellie's Navi Gator · 08-31-2007, 04:31 PM

I'm picking up my new (used) boat this weekend. When I had it surveyed the surveyer was looking through the access ports at the fuel tank valves and mentioned that the current owner had the valves set wrong (he had both fuel tanks running to both engines). Something about if you're having a problem with one engine and it starts burning way more fuel than the other, it could run both tanks dry or something. He said it was unlikely, but that I should set them correctly.

He mentioned how it should be set, but I didn't write it down and want to make sure I have it correct when I pick up the boat. Do I run the port tank to the port engine only and the starboard tank to the starboard engine only. Or, do I run one tank to both engines and have the other tanks valve shut and switch after I run one dry and go back and forth between the two to keep fresh gas?

leebert · 08-31-2007, 04:58 PM

Normally I run mine with both engines on the same tank. However that's not the case right now as I'm breaking in a new two stroke and have extra oil in one tank.

LB

285exp · 08-31-2007, 06:04 PM

I run the port engine off the port tank and stb off stb. Each of my tanks carries nearly 1000 lbs of fuel. If I ran both engines off the same tank, it wouldn't take long before the boat was listing to the side of the full tank.

Running both engines off both tanks is a bad idea because you can get water or debris in one tank and it could get both engines instead of just one.

Ellie's Navi Gator · 08-31-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

285exp - 8/31/2007 6:04 PM

I run the port engine off the port tank and stb off stb. Each of my tanks carries nearly 1000 lbs of fuel. If I ran both engines off the same tank, it wouldn't take long before the boat was listing to the side of the full tank.

Running both engines off both tanks is a bad idea because you can get water or debris in one tank and it could get both engines instead of just one.

Okay - that's exactly how the surveyor stated it now that you say it. Each tank to each engine sounded logical when I was thinking about it, but wanted to be sure. Thanks!