Hydrostream Viper, where should I mount my fuel tank?

[lilboatsman]

Where do you guys mount your fuel tanks? I could put it in the front or the back, what works better? A previous owner installed a gas inlet in the front of my Viper, so maybe the front isn't such a bad idea?

[Riverman]

Mine is as far back as I could get it with the transom knees installed. See below.

[Raceman]

I've never liked front mounted tanks in light high perf boats. It creates a never ending change to handling and setup requirements since the weight constantly varies.

Rear center.

[lilboatsman]

Good point, it's too bad someone drilled a hole and put in an inlet in the front.

[hsbob]

plug it in with something. you'll be sorry and go theru a lot of setup if you put it in the front. i was alway getting gas on the bow as well. all the setup books going back to the 70 say but the heavy stuff in the back for spped and handling.

[lilboatsman]

I figured that maybe it would help with the porpousing issue that vipers have when people are sitting in the back seat. Wouldn't having more weight in the front help get on plane better?

[transomstand]

I figured that maybe it would help with the porpousing issue that vipers have when people are sitting in the back seat. Wouldn't having more weight in the front help get on plane better?

Yes it would, when full, but as Raceman said, the balance of the boat is constantly changing. Fixed ballast is a much better idea. With the tank in the rear, the boat just becomes slightly faster and "freer" as the fuel runs down, the handling does not change.

[lilboatsman]

ok, I'm convinced, I'm just going to have to find room for it in the rear. Maybe I could put my battery in the front, hmmmm....

[wzguy]

had this said to me once 10# in front is like 100# in rear. leo

[RONNIE]

everthing in the stern over to the port side if side steering

[JnT]

Leave the fuel fill where it is and spend a few dollars more on hose to reach the tank.

[RONNIE]

that is bad advice

[Riverman]

Very bad advice.

[Ron V]

Leave the filler cap as a conversation piece and put the tank in the rear. Maybe epoxy the cap shut so nobody can accidentally put a nozzle in it and fill her up.

The only time and place for a front mounted tank is on a Hydrodyne with twin or triple motors pulling 10+ skiers in a show.

If you don't have to have a built-in tank, I'd get an above-deck tank from Tempo or Moeller like Riverman has. That's what I have in my boat and it works great. Easy to remove if you have to clean or repair something behind it, and easy to turn over and clean out if you get some bad gas. I personally hate built-in tanks because they are a haven for all sorts of problems.

[Riverman]

Can't get any simpler than this! :cheers:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y66/river_57/tank.jpg