Larger fuel tank on a 16 cruiser?

RonJr

RonJr

Member
I have a 2004 16' Cruiser. I'm considering moving from portable tanks to a larger, fixed tank. I'm interested in the opinions of those with a 16 on such a move, especially anyone who has personally installed a larger tank. Thanks.

I want to increase my cruising range. I wonder about my ability to lift portable tanks in and out of the boat, as I get older.
 
I was also looking to do this. I relocated my batteries forward, so I wanted to install a tank on each side of the depression with the bilge pump. Couldn't find a suitably shaped tank, so I ended up with just a couple of six gallon Tempos. If anyone can find something that fits in that space, I'd love to hear it!

Cheers!

John
1992 C16 Cruiser
 
We also would like to increase or cruising range. Presently have 2 - 12 gallon tanks, battery and bilge pump that fit under engine splashwell pretty well, but snugly.
 
We also would like to increase or cruising range. Presently have 2 - 12 gallon tanks, battery and bilge pump that fit under engine splashwell pretty well, but snugly.
 
Hey yall, I understand I did it last year. My tank sits on the port side floor and runs forward to within a foot of the port passenger seat. I have a Honda 50 four stroke with my 29 gal tank I have 165 mile range. Look at my pictures for a glance. It makes getting in and out of the boat much easier and it is a great seat with a throwable cushion. Some people on this sight had saddle tanks fabricated, they go into the walls of the rear area, it was just to expensive for me. After a year with the tank I'm still happy and I have used my boat weekly for two years now. I did 800 miles last year in two weeks and the 29 gal tank was perfect.
 
Here's Jimicliff's tank. Beautiful job!

Rough_Tank.sized.jpg

Here's a picture of the tank that was on our boat when we bought it. It looks a lot like one of the two that come on a 22 footer. It holds about 20 gallons I think.
IMGP0008.sized.jpg
 
dotnmarty":27emv636 said:
Here's a picture of the tank that was on our boat when we bought it. It looks a lot like one of the two that come on a 22 footer. It holds about 20 gallons I think.
IMGP0008.sized.jpg
Click to expand...

Marty,

Do you have a picture that shows the top of the tank? I'd sure like to see how they did the fuel fill. Two of those would be perfect in my boat!

Thanks,

John
 
akc-dory":3jfxkzu6 said:
We also would like to increase or cruising range. Presently have 2 - 12 gallon tanks, battery and bilge pump that fit under engine splashwell pretty well, but snugly.
Click to expand...

Any chance you could post a picture of the tanks and installation? I would love to have two 12s!

Cheers!

John
 
John, This is the best I can do for now as the boat is put away for the winter. You can just make out the side view of the filler cap to the right of the blue line. The vent is at the side of the splashwell covered with a stainless clamshell.

gas_tank.jpg
 
dotnmarty":z8fi0qap said:
John, This is the best I can do for now as the boat is put away for the winter. You can just make out the side view of the filler cap to the right of the blue line. The vent is at the side of the splashwell covered with a stainless clamshell.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Marty, that is a help.

When I look at those Moeller tanks I see the fill rises up 2.75", and I couldn't see how you would get room… it looks like the fill is so far over to the right that there is a straight (more or less) shot to the fill on the tank. Maybe I need to make one out of cardboard and mock it up.

I think I can only fit two of the 20" long ones (12 gallon). Still, 24 gallons fixed is pretty good!

John
 
The best solution I've seen to the heavy stern, short boat, and need for larger gas tanks on a C-Dory 16, was Dave Thompsons:

He cut the boat in half and added two feet to it!

C-Voyager's 24" hull extension

Might be able to do something akin, but not as radical, by adding an Armstrong style bracket to extend the hull and motor out the back another two feet and thus add some extra hull length and flotation.

A custom bracket design could add a gas tank inside the bracket, freeing up more hull space, though the weight would be better positioned forward in a pair of saddle tanks amidships.

Or one could just move up to a CD 18, 19, or 22.

Something to think about!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
dotnmarty":1azktqtb said:
John, This is the best I can do for now as the boat is put away for the winter. You can just make out the side view of the filler cap to the right of the blue line. The vent is at the side of the splashwell covered with a stainless clamshell.

gas_tank.jpg
Click to expand...

I went out and looked, and it just didn't seem possible! Then I looked at your photo again, and I realized I have fiberglass hull liner and foam where the right side of your tank is… if I cut that away, I'd have plenty of room. Hmmm...
 
Sea Wolf":238cxvz0 said:
The best solution I've seen to the heavy stern, short boat, and need for larger gas tanks on a C-Dory 16, was Dave Thompsons:

He cut the boat in half and added two feet to it!

C-Voyager's 24" hull extension

Might be able to do something akin, but not as radical, by adding an Armstrong style bracket to extend the hull and motor out the back another two feet and thus add some extra hull length and flotation.

A custom bracket design could add a gas tank inside the bracket, freeing up more hull space, though the weight would be better positioned forward in a pair of saddle tanks amidships.

Or one could just move up to a CD 18, 19, or 22.

Something to think about!

Joe. :teeth :thup
Click to expand...

Or just relocate the batteries to under the v-berth like I did. :thup

John
 
Joe, are you volunteering to do the renovations to Ron's boat so he can install a bigger tank?? :lol:

I don't think an Armstrong bracket will add hull length. Actually I think they are used by some to get the prop set back behind the hull where it runs in clearer(less disturbed) water. Some boats also handle better as the bracket changes the steering geometry(pivot point).

They do add flotation where its needed though. On a C dory that has foam in the bow this would be a good set-up. If I was ordering a custom build like the Sea Skiff 22 and could get a motor well or for 2 grand extra - a full transom with an Armstrong bracket,,,, I would consider it money well spent.

Regards, Rob
 
Rob-

A custom Armstrong-like bracket could be designed to fit right up to the end of the transom and backward, effectively extending the hull out longer and up to as wide as one designed it, with the same "V" in its bottom as the original hull.

I wasn't thinking of a ready made item from an existing supplier out of a catalog of factory choices.

Probably an easier design and do operation than Dave's 24" hull lengthening.

Thanks for helping me clarify the concept.

Have a great weekend!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Sea Wolf":1q4ooxb0 said:
A custom Armstrong-like bracket could be designed to fit right up to the end of the transom and backward, effectively extending the hull out longer and up to as wide as one designed it, with the same "V" in its bottom as the original hull.
Click to expand...

Joe, thanks that makes more sense and lengthening the hull would add flotation while underway - not just when you got pooped!! The only question that comes to my mind is - what do they do with the drain plug?

Oh, Oh, another question just flitted around in my head. How long would it be before somebody started digging out the foam to add more storage space? Making the boat stern heavy again, albeit longer. :P

Have a great new year Joe,
Rob
 
SeaWolf Joe wrote"The best solution I've seen to the heavy stern, short boat, and need for larger gas tanks on a C-Dory 16, was Dave Thompsons:
He cut the boat in half and added two feet to it!"

I think it's time to put to rest the myth of the "stern heavy... 16 "

Yes, the 16 cruiser, because of the set back of the cabin, is slightly stern heavy. Application of a $100 Permatrim easily corrects this attitude. The 16 angler model is not "stern heavy". Of course cutting the boat in half and adding two feet may preclude expense of the Permatrim. :D
 
My apologies regarding my remarks about the 16.

No offense intended.

Some of these ideas that we hear and repeat from previous discussions do need to be re-examined before repeating.

I'm sure some are erroneous or at least exaggerated in the rehash.

Guiilty as charged!

Have a great weekend, all!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Before I sold it, I installed a pair of 24-gallon saddle tanks in my old 16-foot Angler (write up HERE). I'd think the 18-gallon units might be better suited for a Cruiser.
 
I have run several long rivers with no fuel docks, like the Alabama River (450 miles) and am currently rigging my 16' angler "Punky Brewster" to cruise the Mississippi River which has a few stretches of 400+ miles without fuel on the lower part. I tend to use two 23 gal Moeller's (the white ones made for Boston Whalers). That will get me a range of 300ish miles. I have tossed in an additional 18 gal tank for the really long runs. On tame rivers it doesn't throw the boat too out of whack but I would not dream of this on rougher water. I also have to be extremely mindful that I am a floating bomb, so be on your game if you go this route. It is nice that on normal outings I can mix and match the tanks to fit my needs without being stuck with one giant fixed tank that always tends to collect bad gas over time. This is my solution, although I have to admit that I drool a little ever time I hear someone mention their built in saddle tanks.... oh the places I would go....
 
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