On Sun, 03 Oct 2004 11:07:06 GMT, "JOSEPH MONACO"
wrote:
I am considering purchasing a Doral Boat. However, the fuel tank capacity
is only 65 gallons. I live in the Metro Tampa FL area, and want to run the
gulf coast from Key West to Panama City. Is a 65 gallon tank big enough for
a day of boating, and traveling in the Gulf of Mexico? Other than the size
of the tank, we love the boat. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Without knowing more about the boat and how it is powered, there is no
way to know the answer. What are your range requirements? There are
several places along the Gulf coast with little in the way of public
marine services for quite a few miles. Marathon to Everglades City is
a long stretch, and the Big Bend area is also problematic. Unless you
can run 100 miles under adverse conditions on 2/3 of a tank, you've
got a problem. Probably you're safest bet (least open water) is to
run the ICW up to Port St Lucie and take the Okeechobee Waterway to
the west coast. You still have the "Big Bend" issue however.