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(I haven’t started my build yet. )
I was reading the rules and I see that a few pounds can be mitigated by utilizing a permanently mounted fuel tank.
“3.2.5 Minimum boat weight is 80 pounds. This does not include removable fuel tanks. Fuel cells mounted to the boat and floatation may be included in the total boat weight.”
What kind of permanently mounted tanks are being used? I’ve found several tanks that meet the 1.8 gallon minimum (2 gallon drag racing tanks from the automobile world).
Related, the rules require the deck “shall be free of other deck hardware that is non-essential to racing (cleats, etc.), and that could present an unnecessary hazard to personnel handling the boat. ” Would an aluminum fuel cap mounted 1/2″ proud of the deck just forward of the steering wheel raise objections?
In the recent past I do not see many fuel cells in use, but I am sure that there are some out there. I think that most racers utilize removable tanks. I use a removable low boy tank that slides under the steering wheel and into the open compartment forward of the steering bulkhead. If you mount a fuel cell and would like to have a fuel cap protruding from the desk I am pretty sure that will be OK, but we need to leave it to the safety committee. I will see if I can get an answer for you.
Jeffrey, could you provide a link to what tank you use that fits under in the open compartment? We’re searching around at sites trying to find what would work best. Thanks again for your help. 🙂
I will get a photo of my fuel tank for you and post it on this forum. It is a very old all metal tank, probably from the 60s, so not a common find. I think that most of the boats that house the fuel tank in the forward compartment have removable steering wheels.
There are several 3 gallon portable plastic tanks out there today. I suggest you first check a local marine consignment shop for the old OMC tanks, as they are very low profile. I use a newer Attwood low profile tank. And mine slips under the deck through the slot on the port side. And since I use a 10 inch wheel, I don’t need to remove.
I see on Amazon that Sceptor also makes a good looking one. Both are on Amazon and West Marine sites. As Jeff said, a permanent fuel cell mounted under the deck is not common, but has been done. My concern is that you would have a bigger issue getting the tank cleaned out if you ever got water from a capsize…happens occasionally in racing the higher speed motors in dirty water.
I agree with Jeff and Todd that portable fuel tanks are best for CCR’s, mainly for the ease of removing them from the boat in case they need to be drained and cleaned – water, stale or dirty gas issues.
I found several used metal Johnson / Evinrude “Essense” (or Low Boy) tanks at a marine shop for about $40. They’re great, because they fit under the deck AND the pickup fittings don’t ooze like most of ones on plastic tanks do eventually.
Ben, per your request here are some photos of my really ancient lowboy fuel tank. Not great photos, but I think that they will give you an idea of the profile of the tank. Though not as pretty as Fred’s lowboy, I think it is a little shorter. If I did not have a tank with this low profile I do not think that I could get it under the steering wheel of my CLC kit boat, and would have had to devise a removable steering wheel.
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