Worth relocating fuel tank?

[Gfunk]

Mines an 83, has the fuel tank closer to the transom (see pic) with an storage area under the floor between the driver and passenger and will need a majority of the floor replaced sometime in the next winter.

My question has to do with this:
When I first got this boat, it had a bad Mariner 200 and I replaced it with an Mercury Optimax 150 (slightly heavier, about 90 pounds I think). Not sure how the boat sat in the water before, but now it sits a little low in the water at the transom, not a huge problem because of the splashwell, but it does take a little getting use to as the water is about 1" to 2" below the transom cutout and we always have at least some water in the splashwell. Also, my motor is a 25" shaft and I will be putting a 5" setback jackplate on it this winter also, might make it even worse. Is it worth moving the fuel tank forward and making the storage area right in front of the splashwell? I noticed on some of the other models that this is the way Wellcraft did on at least some of the boats.

Thanks in advance!
G

 

[macojoe]

of it were me, i would put a few sand bags were you think the tank will go, go out with just enough gas to play around a bit and see how she handles. if good thats were you want it, if to little add more weight further up or back what ever gets it to what you want then decide. but sounds do able!

 

[tartuffe]

The stearn of my tank is about 2.5' in front of the front of the splash well access hatch. I have a 200 Rude and the transom (20") sits about 6" above the waterline with a 6" bracket and a 50 lb piece of stainless plate. Now keep in mind the transom thru hulls that drain the splashwell are right at the waterline.

 

[Gfunk]

Thanks for the advice guys

I really appreciate the responses, what a site!
Tartuffe, that's almost where I'm a now, my drain holes are right at or just below the waterline now, just takes a little getting used to is all, my splash well always has a least some water in it, so much so that we put plugs in the bailing holes in the deck to keep the floor dry. It works, and unless we go to Lake Erie and get caught in some rough stuff, I don't ever see a time that this ill cause a problem.
Still not sure on moving the tank, guess I'll see what kind of mess I have under the floor once I get the glass and wood removed and then decide whether it's worth it or not. ( and I'll be sure to post plenty of pics)

 

[randlemanboater]

I would bet that most V-20 splashwells keep water in them...and every self bailing V-20 has water comming in the floor drains. I do the same as you, putting plugs in the drain holes to keep the floor dry.

A full 60 gallon tank is 420 pounds....do like MJ said, go out with 5 gallons (385 pounds less) in the boat and some ballast that weighs 385 pounds (sand bags, batteries, kids, friends) and check it out.

 

[jasoncooperpcola]

My 83 was the same way with a 385lb 150 Johnson on the transom. We also had a 150qt cooler on the splashwell rim. Between those two heavy items we would constantly have a wet deck and coke bottles floating in the splashwell. I would mock the weight like said above and if it works move the fuel tank under the livewell hatch. Then you always glass foam in where the fuel tank was and have a fishbox. Are you cutting the floor or lifting the cap off?