Hi folks,
currently, I have a 12 gallon
fuel tank that is located just forward of the engine in the bilge ( I have a full keel and a relatively deep bilge). Many of the people that I know that sail the same model boat as I have (Albin Vega 27'), have removed this tank and replaced it with a larger (usually 16-18 gallon tank) and have moved it up and back into the port locker where it is easily accesable, gravity feeds the
pumps, and actually cuts down on the distance of the run from the
fuel tank to the first stage, primary filter.
I have considered doing this as a split
fuel line dumped about 6 gallons of diesel into the bilge about a month ago and the clean-up was a nightmare as I have very limited access to the bilge to clean and air out. My batteries sit conveniently on a shelf that was built over the tank in the bilge as well and they are out of the way an fairly close to the engine and switch.
My concerns with this project are:
1.) I like having the weight of the diesel (roughly 8 lbs/gallon), down low. With the two batteries there as well, I effectively have added 200+ lbs to my ballast (where it probably should be)
3.) If I replace the tank and move it back up higher and to the portside, will I throw the ballast off and will she sit too low in the stern?
The idea of having my
fuel and batteries in an area that could potentially be under water is not great, but the bilge is always dry on this boat. Despite the dry bilge, it probably is a better idea to get the tank up where it is safe and can readily be inspected.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks
Chris