SO 40.3 Fuel Capacity

[john50]

Has anyone fitted an extra fuel tank to a SO 40.3? If so please provide details of location, capacity, material and interconnection with existing tank. Regards to all members John50

[graeme]

I am about to buy a 40.3 is there a problem with the normal fuel tank that comes as standard with the yacht ?

[sailman]

I'm looking at SO 40's also and have the same concern as to the fuel capacity of 36 gal, which would mean that on longer passages, fuel will always be a concern if the winds don't co-operate.

So would be interested in how anyone has approached this issue.

Sailman

[badeandmel]

I have been considering this issue for my SO39i and would a possible solution be to convert the aft watertank to a fuel tank and installing additional bladder water tanks either under the central bunks or under the floor? This would double the fuel capacity by using the exisitng water tank that is already fitted anchored in place and balanced. At the same time it is easier to install additional water than fuel tanks becuase of the safety issues etc and the impcat with the balancing of the boat.

The primary issue that would need to be resolved is the aft water tank suitbale to be converted into a fuel tank? From a visual perspective they look to be made of the same material? This is a question for jeanneau.

JB

[sailman]

Fuel capacity on the SO 40 series is one of my concerns also, in my boat search. If/when any more info, especially from Jeanneau about converting one of the water tanks to fuel is available, please do post it.

I've raised this question in other Jeanneau forums and one owner stated he used to carry 2 jerry cans with 10 additional gallons of fuel, but has pretty much abandoned this. below is his reply.

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Regarding fuel tankage, in 2.5 years of coastal and regional cruising we haven’t had a problem. For a while I carried 10 gallons in jerry cans but quit because we never needed it. If I’m doing a bigger trip (like across the Gulf to Mexico or to NW Florida) I take the jerry cans. I try to always have enough fuel to motor to port in case we have a rig failure. So 30 gals at 1.5 gph = 20 hours at 5 knots (worse case) so we have 100 nautical mile range to get out of trouble.

Adding tankage is a challenge on these boats (especially the 3 cabin version) because almost every nook and cranny is already used. You might be able to add an extra fuel tank under the propane storage in the stern, but that isn’t a great place to be adding weight. [/font]Consumption is:
REVS GPH
3800 3.30
3600 2.77
3400 2.24
3200 1.85
3000 1.58
2800 1.32
2600 1.12
2400 0.92
2200 0.73
2000 0.59
1800 0.53