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Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
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Author:  Luke_McGluke [ Wed Jan 26, 2011 11:19 am ]
Post subject:  Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
Another dumb question. I used to fly a Cessna (high wing) which had a fuel tank in each wing. Turning the selector switch to "both" would allow the fuel to flow from one tank to the other and gradually level equally in each tank while the plane was ramped overnight. This was a weight & balance feature important to stable flight.

I note twin fuel tanks on my 288. I understand the 3 valve system but forgot to ask the salesman...Will opening the port & starboard valves allow fuel to flow and gradually level between tanks when stored? Trying to avoid wrestling with a fuel hose across the cockpit.

Haven't had her out yet because of winds and inclement weather. She is craddled in our boatyard. Shakedown cruise scheduled for tomorrow...weather permitting.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
Luke_McGluke wrote:
I note twin fuel tanks on my 288. I understand the 3 valve system but forgot to ask the salesman...Will opening the port & starboard valves allow fuel to flow and gradually level between tanks when stored? Trying to avoid wrestling with a fuel hose across the cockpit.


No. The tanks will not level through that valve. It's there to allow the fuel pump from each engine to pull fuel from an opened tank. The valve is usually at a level higher than that of the tanks. Unlike in planes, where the tanks are up in the wings or have a transfer pump. It's expected the draw from each engine will be level 'enough' for the boat to run properly. If not you can close the valve to one of the tanks and let both engines draw from the other.
Author:  abhipat [ Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
I suggest you close the crossover valve and let each engine draw from its respective tank. I had the cross over valve open and my 288 would list to port when the fuel in the starboard tank got drawn down. The genset also runs off the starboard tank in a 288.
There is no self leveling mechanism.
Author:  AMS [ Fri Jul 01, 2011 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
So, does this mean you guys need to fill each tank individually? Im looking at buying a 288 and was wondering the same, would an open cross-over valve allow for filling of both tanks using one filler cap/point. It seems like a huge hassle having to fill each tank... wouldn't you need to leave the dock, spin around, then come back in to fill other tank??
Author:  wkearney99 [ Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
You don't spin the boat around, you just extend the hose over to the other side. I do it all the time in our 348. Just make sure not to drag the hose across the seating or the windshields, as that would leave marks. The hose at fuel docks is usually very long precisely for this kind of situation. Now, if you're expecting to fill up at a gas station while on the trailer then it might be a problem.

I don't believe any boats in the small recreational class have tank leveling. It adds complexity and cost and you don't get much for it. In a plane balance is critically important. It's not in a boat. Sure, it's desirable, but with two engines you're pretty likely to pull evenly from their respective tanks. Yes, a generator might upset the balance, but not usually by enough to matter.

The purpose of the valve in-between the lines is to allow the engines to pull fuel from one tank or the other, not as a means to pull from them both simultaneously. When you open that center valve you have to turn off one tank. Otherwise it'll draw from whichever tank provides the least resistance. This may be predictable but is more likely to be random. There are two typical reasons to open that valve, one being you've had one tank run too low and you need fuel from the other. The other being something has gone wrong with the fuel in one of the tanks and you need to stop using it.

A point to consider, it's a bad plan to ever let the fuel level go below a quarter tank. Because you're cutting it way too close should situations change. Like bad weather, distress or other problems.

And for anyone using a generator enough to really cause a dramatic difference then perhaps it'd be worth having it's fuel lines redone. Set up another fuel pickup in the other tank and a Y valve. Then you could at least manually control which tank gets used.
Author:  ryot2 [ Sat Jul 02, 2011 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
AMS,

What part of the country do you live in? I'm currently selling a super clean 2006 Vista 288. Check out the website in the Sell/Buy section of the forum. :lol:
Author:  AMS [ Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
Thanks for your replies... Yeah I guess hose would reach.... Just looks/seems awkward.

ryot2 as per my PM Im in Australia so inspection and delivery might be a problem :D
Author:  jelina [ Tue Jul 05, 2011 4:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
I understand the 3 valve system but forgot to ask the salesman...Will opening the port & starboard valves allow fuel to flow and gradually level between tanks when stored? Trying to avoid wrestling with a fuel hose across the cockpit. I don't believe any boats in the small recreational class have tank leveling. It adds complexity and cost and you don't get much for it. In a plane balance is critically important. It's not in a boat. Sure, it's desirable, but with two engines you're pretty likely to pull evenly from their respective tanks. Yes, a generator might upset the balance, but not usually by enough to matter.
Author:  wkearney99 [ Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
No, the valves will do nothing to level the tanks. They're only there to allow you to manually select a different tank.

As for filling, it's simple to lift the hose across the cabin. Just have the dock-hand lift the hose so that it doesn't drag along the windshield. I've done it dozens of times with our 348 and it's easy. The harder part being reaching over the windshield to hold the handle. Most fuel docks do not allow using automatic handles (for good reason). So it's tedious to sit there holding the handle while $300 goes into each tank.
Author:  Jafo4U [ Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
Think of it like your flying the Piper PA-28 Warrior and you have to manually change over tanks every 40 minutes. 8) Joe from Miami.
Author:  jrcinnh [ Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self leveling fuel tanks in 288?
As wkearney99 says, you can't use this valve to level the tanks and you can fill both tanks without moving the boat.

We always pull up starboard side to the dock. Fill the port tank first, because you can't see the pump and who cares if you're off a few cents. Then fill the starboard tank and get it to the penny. Usually a limber, young fuel attendant climbs up on the gunnel to do the filling, but I have done it. Then pump out black water tank, the gray water tank and fill the fresh water, all on the starboard.

My port tank always uses more than the starboard, I don't know why. The generator isn't used enough to account for it. I usually pump extra fuel in that side.

I remember reading once that boat fuel tanks must have the hose connection on top and must have an anti-syphon valve. This precludes an easy leveling system.

The 340 Searay that we didn't buy, had two fuel fills on each side of the boat. So you could fill both tanks from either side. Very clever, but not enough to tip the scales to them.
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