Fuel pickup tubes in 246 CCP...

[CKP]

Okay, I need some suggestions. I am in the process of redoing my Aquasport but can't decide what to do with the existing fuel tank.

I purchased an Aquasport and in the process the previous owner had a new fuel tank fabricated.. that’s the good part.  The fuel pickup tubes are positioned in the forward portion of the tank. I believe the original position was maintained.

I am use to having the pickup tube positioned in the back portion or rear of the fuel tank.  

Here is my concern: When running offshore with the bow slightly up fuel will gather at the rear of the fuel tank. With fuel pickups positioned forward the calculation based on thirds (one third going out, one third back in and one third safety margin) will be wrong.

What do you guys recommend or have experience with?

[John Jones]

I have never seen one with the pickups in the front (but I have never been into a 246 either).

[LilRichard]

I would just have someone weld in a pickup at the aft of the tank?

[GoneFission]

The tank for CCPs has a "belly" in the bottom - not a flat bottom - that moves fuel toward the center.  Also, most CCP tanks have the pickups in the center, not the back.  Are you sure the pickups are toward the front - or just toward the front of the hatch you can see?  The 246 tank is about 6 feet long - the access port is usually about half-way.  

Pictures might help!

[CKP]

The fuel fittings ARE in the middle of the belly tank. In your experience have you ever encountered a situation where you ran out of fuel with the fuel fittings in the middle?

[GoneFission]

Never run out of fuel with the Aquasport, and I did drain the old tank through the fuel line when replacing it.  There was very little gas left in the tank, so I think the fuel pickup location is probably OK from a standpoint of not leaving much gas in the tank.  

Also - here's an idea - if you ran out of gas on a plane (bow up) with the pickup in the middle of the tank, you would still have SOME gas left you could use at idle - with the tank level - kind of like a reserve.  The only time I have run out of gas completely was on another boat with a big flat-bottom tank and the pickup in the rear.  When you were out - you were out!!

[gmcjohnny]

if the person that made the tank knows what there doing inside the tank there will be a pickup tube running to the back of the tank  pull uot the sender an look in if the tubes are there everything will be fine