Saddle Tanks

[Al]

Dear all,

Where is the best location to mount saddle tanks on a 31? The gassers in my boat are in good shape. I installed a 232gal Polumac tank last year, but still need some additional range to be able to fish the Gulf Stream out of St. Augustine and get back to the dock with a decent reserve. Another 50 or 60 gal should be adequate.

Thanks and regards,

[John F.]

Al-

Capt. Patrick posted a drawing somewhere showing where he'd out tanks for extra fuel. As I remember, the tanks were between the engines and in the cabin floor. Mike of "Lightning Shack" has a pics. and drawings of a decent size tank he put in the cabin floor of his B31--nice pics and install. I like the idea of the tanks on the centerline and low.

John

[Al]

Thanks John. I'll try to locate the drawings and pictures.

[Capt. DQ]

Al,
I have two 60 gal fiberglass tanks for mine, which are deisel and not gas now. But they stradel the main tank on either side as the shows.


DQ[img][img]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210 ... 0003-4.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][img]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r210 ... 0004-3.jpg[/img][/img]

[Al]

Thanks DQ. Any handling issues associated with putting each outboard as opposed to down low like John suggested?

[Brewster Minton]

Mine are infront of each engine

[Capt. DQ]

No issuses Al, other than some like to use those pockets for fish boxes.

DQ

[Al]

Understood. Thanks again to all for the helpful responses.

[Capt Dick Dean]

I had a 65 gal tank just forward of the engines. It went bad after 15 yrs ...aluminum. I have two 30 gal tanks outboard of the stringers but I don't use them. For me a 232 gal tank is enough. The range is about 160 n. miles.

[Al]

I had thought 232 gal would be plenty for me too. However, on my last trip out to the Ledge, I used 188 gal in fairly sporty sea conditions. I like to keep about 30 gal in reserve, so that was cutting it a little too close to my 200 gal limit.

[Luke Keiter]

i just bought a 31 bertram that had new tanks installed. I'm putting diesels in and I don't need the saddle tanks. I took the saddle tanks out and they are 41 gallons. They mount along side of the main tank. I'll be posting them for sale

[Rocky]

Al, I've got saddles as well on swap and sell with pics.

[Bob H.]

Al, I have 230 main in under the cockpit and two fiberglass 40 gallon saddles in front of the engines. I have a bahia mar model.

[bob lico]

bob were the hell are you going . don`t tell me the" mushroom cap" (remember the perfect storm). with those cummins and hull all tweaked you can go between 360 and 400 miles !!! that should be wihin range of any fishing you might want to do.i would think you would do between 180 and 210 miles round trip.

[Al]

I really appreciate the responses. Luke, I just sent you a PM.

[Bob H.]

Bob, Is the mushroom cap next to the flemish cap? Im game...for real we head waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy east of Veatch canyon when the weather is right...Cant stand bladder tanks, so while I am building her, Im trying to use all space available...BH

[bob lico]

ok bob i am game . east---- of vetch that is usually the first tuna to show up warm water eddies show up in june but the 231 gal should be enough and the about 50 of saddle tanks a safety margin.

[Brewster Minton]

I run to Atlantis on the main tank then switch to the saddle tanks. Mine are 50gal each. I can troll for three days on them. Then I switch back to run back in and have over a 100 gals. More fuel is better.