Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
I'm finishing up a 3 year remodel of a junked out 1971 (now Custom) 16' Whaler. The original console was approx in the same for/aft position but was attached to the starboard side. When I bought it the 12 gallon fuel tank was under the console. There were no seats or anything else aft of the console so I have no idea what the original configuration was.
I built the rear casting deck so that the fuel tank fits under it nicely. Works great on land. But as you can see in the photo, it doesn't sit so well on the water. Today I moved the full tank around. I set it on top of the cooler seat you can see. That was better but still looked tail heavy. I then put the tank in front of the console. That looked much better. It still ha da rear lilt but maybe that's normal??
I generally run in very shallow water in the Laguna Madre of south Texas.
So a couple questions:
1) what size fuel tank was originally on these and where was it located?
2) I can rebuild the console so that it fits in there but I'm wondering about mounting the tank in front of the console. Will I regret that? The tunnel is readily available to run the fuel line back to the engine.
3) Any other words of wisdom or somewhat less than ignorant advice for me
Thank y'all
mtjarrett attached the following image:
[120.39Kb]
Edited by mtjarrett on 07/30/20 - 8:34 PM
The aft platform is not very heavy and it has a 12 gallon fuel tank beneath it. The battery is currently (in this photo as well) under the console. The engine is mounted on a jack plate with a 5" spacer so it is mounted about 10" behind the transom.
Currently, my desire is to get the Moeller 22 gallon tank and mount it under the console and mount the battery under the seat. Worst part about that is it will require redoing all the electrical.
Right now, I have 1986 Johnson 110 and I may switch to a 1985 Yamaha 90. I am about to start a new thread to discuss this choice but the main issue as it pertains to this thread is that the Yamaha is almost 100# lighter I believe.
I have these additional questions:
1) what are the drawbacks/issues/concerns of too much weight forward (i.e. move the fuel under console and then have 3 passengers - 1 sitting with me and 2 in front of console on a cooler)?
2) does anyone know of an above deck wire/fuel line chase? Right now I have a clean deck. If I mount something under the seat I will either have a fuel line or electrical lines running out from under the seat. I'd like to have something hold them in place and keep them from getting snagged by passengers, fishing hooks, etc.
