Jumping in with both feet

[Eagle Pursuit]

Hello, my wife, Mona, and I just arrived in Rock Hall, MD to take delivery of our 1987 Eagle 32. Just wanted to get on the forum to introduce ourselves. I know that there are a number of other Eagle 32 owners out there and we can't wait to compare notes.

We are long time sailors, (who isn't?), in fact we will still sail during summers out of Bayfield, WI.

So, we are part-time trawlers and enjoy moving up and down the East Coast. This is our third boat for the ICW and we hope it's finally the right one.

For you Eagle owners, you might be interested that our survey showed a rusty fuel tank that has failed because someone cut the fiberglass tabbing away from the steel tank and allowed it to rust from the outside. So, today, we cut the cockpit floor away to expose he tank and tomorrow will cut the tank out. Lots of fun, at least we had a budget for this and it will come out fine.

I'm wondering if there are any opinions out there about reducing the size of the tank from 145 gals. to something around 80-90 gals. I think this will cut our range from 700 miles to 320-350miles. We are never going offshore and can't imagine not being able to get fuel within 300 miles. Any thoughts?

Nice to meet all of you.

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard. Congrats on your new boat. I would not be happy with only a 300 mile range even doing the Loop. You will find yourself in areas with higher fuel prices and you need fuel so you pay the price. Canada for instance, when we were doing the TSW the Canadian fuel prices were much higher than the US so we only fueled once before crossing Lake Huron. I would go with the largest tank you can reasonably fit in there. Good luck.

 

[Gordon J]

Ditto

Welcome aboard. Congrats on your new boat. I would not be happy with only a 300 mile range even doing the Loop. You will find yourself in areas with higher fuel prices and you need fuel so you pay the price. Canada for instance, when we were doing the TSW the Canadian fuel prices were much higher than the US so we only fueled once before crossing Lake Huron. I would go with the largest tank you can reasonably fit in there. Good luck.

What he said. We cruise the Bahamas in the winter. I wish I could add to my 550 gallon tankage to increase my 900 mile range. I wouldn’t have to buy expensive Bahamas fuel.

Even going down the Atlantic ICW one see great differences in fuel prices. I make sure I don’t have to stop at expensive fuel docks. Extended range will help with that.

 

[LaBomba]

Welcome Joe and Mona. I think reducing tank capacity is not the right thing to do and would hurt resale value as well. Enjoy the forum!

 

[Aquabelle]

Welcome Joe and Mona. I think reducing tank capacity is not the right thing to do and would hurt resale value as well. Enjoy the forum!

There may also be stability issues from such a great reduction in tankage. The boat designer/builder will have based his calcs on what you have now.

 

[firehoser75]

Hi Joe and Mona and Welcome to the forum!
When we were in the market for a boat, we looked at a Transpac Eagle 40. Great boat, but this one needed too much for us to consider. I am sure you will do well with you new (to you) boat.
I agree with what everyone else has stated. Consider adding 2 smaller tanks into the existing space and connecting them if it is tough getting one large tank back into the boat.
As to what Comodave said about Canadian fuel prices, being Canadian I actually like paying excessive taxes and fees that various levels of Government have applied to our fuel. What else would we do with our money?? (Tongue firmly in cheek).
Regards,
Tom

 

[psneeld]

I cut back to near 100 gallons to gain storage as well as replace aging tanks.


It's plenty except a few places on the lower River systems.


I just stop and buy fuel where its inexpensive.


Buying 30 to 50 gallons reduces sticker shock, gives me access to leg stretches, water, trash, etc...etc more frequently. Planning is just part of successful cruising.


No good designer is going to calculate stability on fuel tankage...it's a consumable, not replaced uness you ballast during the trip...not likely.


Funny, read engine threads and fuel economy and the mantra is fuel is one of the least costly issues in boating....



It will only hurt resale...maybe to some..good salesmanship can make it a plus. Especially boats never venturing past the loop or Bahamas due to age, etc....