Fuel Tank Logic

When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct size to add a sending unit at a later date. Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring my fuel level. Thanks - Paul

If I had to guess, I would think maybe the tanks were mounted sidways. Vertical baffles aren't unheard of to minimize fuel bouncing around. ...just a thought Jim East Coast Cal 29 sailor On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 11:13 AM, <pw… [at] aol.com> wrote: > ** > > > When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I > assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks > of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the > forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and > since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct > size to add a sending unit at a later date. > > Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup > Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start > and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel > was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" > down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what > it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across > this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? > Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring > my fuel level. > > Thanks - > > Paul > > >

Paul, The only reason I can think of is it was easier to manufacture it this way. I don't think it is a better design. Could you cut a slot in it wide enough for the senders range of arc? Greg From: "pw… [at] aol.com" <pw… [at] aol.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 8:13 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Fuel Tank Logic When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct size to add a sending unit at a later date. Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring my fuel level. Thanks - Paul

Paul, Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Well, maybe the tanks were supposed to be installed with the baffles in the vertical position. Perhaps the guy that welded them together made a mistake and installed the baffles in the wrong orientation. If the previous owner hired someone to dothe work, he/she may have never known.... My .02 --Michael-- From: "pw… [at] aol.com" <pw… [at] aol.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 11:13 AM Subject: [Cal_Boats] Fuel Tank Logic When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct size to add a sending unit at a later date. Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring my fuel level. Thanks - Paul

Jim- The tanks aren't rectangular and are deeper at the forward end by about 3" and with all the other attachments they could only go in one way. Greg - Not sure why it'd be harder to build it vertical vs. horizontal and w/o cutting the top of the tank off I cannot modify the baffle. Michael - Could be a screw up I guess but they are well made otherwise. There is no way the PO would have known about it unless that was the way he ordered them as there was no access to see inside until I cut the holes myself. He did a LOT of offshore sailing so maybe it is a better way of baffling the motion . . . not that you'd ever notice it in that boat. Thanks - Paul From: Jim Englert <sa… [at] gmail.com> To: Cal_Boats <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wed, Aug 14, 2013 11:17 am Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Fuel Tank Logic If I had to guess, I would think maybe the tanks were mounted sidways. Vertical baffles aren't unheard of to minimize fuel bouncing around. ...just a thought Jim East Coast Cal 29 sailor On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 11:13 AM, <pw… [at] aol.com> wrote: When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct size to add a sending unit at a later date. Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring my fuel level. Thanks - Paul

I guess you could put some ultrasonic probes on the outside of the tank above and below the baffle, but that get's pretty expensive. The old sight glass still works. From: "pw… [at] aol.com" <pw… [at] aol.com> To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 8:32 AM Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Fuel Tank Logic Jim- The tanks aren't rectangular and are deeper at the forward end by about 3" and with all the other attachments they could only go in one way. Greg - Not sure why it'd be harder to build it vertical vs. horizontal and w/o cutting the top of the tank off I cannot modify the baffle. Michael - Could be a screw up I guess but they are well made otherwise. There is no way the PO would have known about it unless that was the way he ordered them as there was no access to see inside until I cut the holes myself. He did a LOT of offshore sailing so maybe it is a better way of baffling the motion . . . not that you'd ever notice it in that boat. Thanks - Paul -----Original Message-----From: Jim Englert <sa… [at] gmail.com>To: Cal_Boats <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com>Sent: Wed, Aug 14, 2013 11:17 amSubject: Re: [Cal_Boats] Fuel Tank Logic If I had to guess, I would think maybe the tanks were mounted sidways. Vertical baffles aren't unheard of to minimize fuel bouncing around. ...just a thought Jim East Coast Cal 29 sailor On Wed, Aug 14, 2013 at 11:13 AM, <pw… [at] aol.com> wrote: >When I bought my Cal 39 the original fuel tank had been replaced. I assume it was cut up and pulled out as it was replaced by two small tanks of equal size connected by a 2"+/- hose at the bottom of the tanks at the forward end. The tank has no fuel guage or an access port for cleaning and since that is what I do for a living, I cut holes in both tanks the correct size to add a sending unit at a later date. > >Well, so I could tell how much fuel I needed for this last Governors Cup Race which usually involves about 16 hrs of motoring to and from the start and finish lines, I stuck my tape measure in the tank to see how much fuel was in there and do the math. Okay here is the question . . . about 10" down in a 19" deep tank is a horizontal baffle . . . I presume that is what it is anyway. In all the tanks I have cleaned I have never come across this. Anyone have an idea why they'd put a horizontal baffle in a tank? Because of this I am going to have to find an external method of measuring my fuel level. > >Thanks - > >Paul