Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I am thinking about buying a Bass Buggy 16 XL Select. It is my first boat. I just want something to use for a little fishing and to take my bride of 60 years around the lake. At this point in life I don't need to run out of gas. The boat has a Mercury 50 HP and an external plastic 6 gal gas tank.

A long time ago the Jon boat I was in with my wife and daughter had water in the gas I bought at the lake marina and it was a long row back to camp. Don't like the thought of running out gas. Hence, I think it would be prudent to add a 2nd 6 gal tank. My thinking is to just use a switchable Y-connector to hook the tanks together. Does that make sense?

Also, I plan on buying gas at the lake marina. I understand one is suppose to put the tank on the dock for filling. However, I worry about jugging the tank(s) up and down. I would hate to lose my balance and drop the tank in the water. Hence, I plan on filling the tank with it on the boat. The tank will be sitting on a metal plate and should be grounded as will I holding onto the rail. I have done much more dangerous things in my life. Am I being foolish?

Thanks you.

Mike

Welcome to the forum. A Y valve will work but add a fuel filter/ water separator. after Y and going to motor



https://www.amazon.com/Fittings-Marine- ... 07&sr=8-14

I use a jiggler pump Or use a quick disconnect fuel line-unhook from one tank and hook up to another. Y valve works great too....

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-Siphon-M ... 158&sr=8-3

Hi Mike, and Welcome!

My 115 HP pontoon boat came with two 6-gallon portables without an interconnect. When one got low, I just switched manually. At a leisurely 14-15 MPH cruising speed, each tank gave me an hour and a half of running, so more than 20 miles. Running wide open, I could drain the 6 gallons in about 35 minutes! Most sunset or sunrise cruises did not require changing tanks, but it was always there.

Eventually, I bought a 12-gallon plastic portable that fit in the same area, just taller, and I kept one of the 6-gallon tanks in place. It was about $100. on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Moeller-12-Gallo ... 92&sr=8-15

I later added a second 12-gallon tank as my grandkids discovered the joy of tubing! I still have not tied them together because I rarely need more than 12-gallons during a trip. (We generally boat within 10-15 miles of our dock) But it's always there and quick-connect fittings make it a 30 second process to change tanks.

Your 50 HP will consume around 5-gallons per hour wide open, and likely 2 to 2.5 GPH while running at a lower RPM/speed. One of my neighbors runs a pontoon boat with a 50 HP and a single 6-gallon tank. He carries a 2-gallon gas can as his "get home insurance" gas.

I fill my 12-gallon tanks onboard while at my own dock, using regular 5-gallon gas cans for the sheer simplicity and ease of handling and storage.

Marc

Thank you all for your replies. Hopefully a 12 gal tank will fit. It is a long walk from my house to my dock. Don't think I want to juggle gas tanks.

A 12 gallon tank is going to be about 75 pounds. That's a lot of weight to carry down those steps.

You've got a beautiful back yard, but it's a perfect example of why I'll never have a boat on a lake that doesn't have gas at marinas on the lake!

steve1313 wrote: ↑

Tue May 26, 2020 6:29 pm

A 12 gallon tank is going to be about 75 pounds. That's a lot of weight to carry down those steps.

You've got a beautiful back yard, but it's a perfect example of why I'll never have a boat on a lake that doesn't have gas at marinas on the lake!

Exactly. I want a large portable tank that I can use as though it is a permanent tank. Zip to the marina, fill it up in place, and go fishing.

Mike

As I said, I fill my 12-gallon tanks on the boat!