Evan Gatehouse2 wrote:

wrote:
Hello; Love this forum, and I've been reading it for a while. I own a 24'
Bayliner which has a 50 gallon gas tank in the stern engine area. I wonder -
can additional fuel be towed on a large inflatable, like a Zodiac?
Adding larger fuel tanks is not a good idea - it diminishes performance. But
I wonder if with a raft - you could tow along a large fuel supply? Say
another 300 gallons or so?
Currently, my boat is great for LI Sound and the CT River, etc. but 50
gallons doesn't go all that far. I like to have at least 20 gallons in
reserve so I go out using around 15, plan on using 15 to return, and always
have the 20 in the tank for safety - but 15 gallons 'out' doesn't go very
far. So I'm wondering about methods to increase fuel capacity.
Thanks.
John.



towing a raft will decrease performance more than having the weight in
your hull, in most circumstances. No free lunch I'm afraid.

I've seen sports fishing boats which towed a 50 gallon barrel of fuel
in a dinghy to Ft. Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas because otherwise,
they could get there, but not get back. Usually a large number of
people on board, so they didn't have room for it on the boat. I guess
the decreased performance on the way out was better on the way back.





Evan Gatehouse