Gas Tank Size/Placement 221

[SeaHunter228]

This fall winter I plan on replacing the fuel tank on my 1992 221. It has the original 150 gal fuel tank in it. In the future I plan on adding a bracket to the boat. So my question is with the new fuel tank should I get a custom one made that is 10" or 12" shorter. This would keep some weight more forward and help with the weight distribution when the bracket is added. Has anyone gone this route?

Or would keeping the same fuel tank size be fine, as long as I moved the batteries to under the console and got a high flotation bracket.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[ChuckB]

I have mentioned this a few times, and when looking for a bracketed boat I know of a few that did this. Personally I think it is a great idea. That boat has a huge tank, and with today's more efficient motors the range will likely never be pushed to its limits.

It is more money, but I knew of a 221B that kept most capacity and still aided in weight distribution. He went with 2 70 gallon tanks. He ran the front tank, and had the back tank if he was doing a long trip and felt he needed extra capacity. The boat was powered with a 200 4-stroke and he had never put fuel in the back tank. I like cutting capacity and shifting a singe tank forward, but just putting another option out there.

[SeaHunter228]

I never thought about having two tanks, that would probably work out great but realistically a little more work and $$ than I want to do.

In theory I think a smaller tank shifted all the way forward sounds like a great idea. I agree with newer outboards and a smaller tank the range would likely be the same with original tank size and older less efficient outboard.

I would ideally like to have around 120 gallons. That would be 30 gallons less or about 210 lbs less in fuel. And that would still give me plenty of range. I know of some similar size boats that still have less fuel capacity than that.

Are there any more difficulties when it comes to installing a smaller tank. I plan to keep all other dimensions the same except making the overall length shorter.

[ChuckB]

quote:

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Originally posted by SeaHunter228



Are there any more difficulties when it comes to installing a smaller tank. I plan to keep all other dimensions the same except making the overall length shorter.

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The one I knew of did exactly as you stated, and simply filled the void with foam.

[SeaHunter228]

Awesome. That's what I was hoping to hear.

The only other thing I could think of is maybe the location of the fuel sounding may not match up with the inspection plate on the coffin lid but my coffin lid is soft and mushy and needs to be recored anyway so I could glass the old one in and cut a new one over the top of the new location.