Adding auxilliary fuel tank to 1997 245 Osprey

[hhamilton]

I have a 1997 245 Osprey with twin 150 Johnsons.  My understanding is that it has a 138-141 gallon fuel tank mounted under the floor under the leaning post.  I have to travel 48-60 miles to get to the Gulf Stream off the coast of NC and I always run very low on fuel.  I would like to add an auxiliary fuel tank to the boat to relieve some of the tension of running out of fuel before getting back in. 

Has any one done this before to the 245 Osprey and if so what size did you mount, where did you mount it in the boat and how did you configure to plumping to feed the engines?

Thanks,
Hal

[fitz73222]

Back in the day, I'm talking 60's now, before fuel tanks were ever under the floor, the common mounting location was vertically mounted saddle tanks under each gunnel. I'm sure you could have some narrow profile custom tanks fabricated and easily add another 50 gallons (25 X 2). With the correct fuel shut off valves you could select to have them gravity feed into the main under deck fuel tank after you have run low in the main tank <50 gallons to keep from over filling the main tank and just run the engines from your current main tank so you don't  have to add any additional engine fuel lines. You would need to add additional gunnel fills for each tank and possibly you could tie into the current main tank vent system but I haven't conceived what that might look like. Just an idea to keep from cutting the floor or loosing a storage locker for the extra capacity.

[wingtime]

If you don't have one the first thing I would get is a Floscan fuel flow meter.  Or a fuel flow meter for whatever make chart plotter you have.  This way you will know EXACTLY how much fuel you are burning.  Allowing you to find the most efficient cruise speed, power, and trim settings.  This will give you the greatest range.   You'll also know exactly how much fuel you have burned and how much fuel you actually have left in your tank.  I can tell you right now this upgrade will pay for itself in the first few outings.