Boaters and anglers who spend long days on the water have probably experienced the feeling of anxiety when the needle on their fuel gauge moves closer to empty many miles from port.
Experienced captains recommend maintaining about a 25% reserve fuel capacity when calculating maximum range. However, after chasing fish far offshore for hours, it’s easy to find yourself in the stressful position of watching the fuel level dip below the comfortable range when it’s time to head for home.
In this video, Mercury Pro Team member George Gozdz, fishing guide and host of the show Unfathomed, demonstrates how a portable fuel bladder can help avoid this situation.
Employing a fuel bladder is a great way to extend your boat’s range and provide increased security and peace of mind, especially on long-range trips where fuel availability may be limited. Collapsible fuel bladders are manufactured from flexible, rubber-coated fabric and available in various shapes and sizes ranging from 25 gallons to as much as 500 gallons. Choose a size based on your anticipated fuel requirements and available storage space.
Fuel can be transferred from the fuel bladder into the main tank using a portable 12-volt transfer pump. Alternatively, if the fuel bladder is located at a point higher than the fuel tank, such as on the bow of the boat, fuel can often be siphoned or gravity-fed into the tank without using an auxiliary pump.
At about 6 pounds per gallon of fuel, even a small fuel bladder can add up to a lot of extra weight on board, so make sure you don’t exceed your vessel’s maximum weight. Full bladders should always be properly secured when the boat is underway to prevent unexpected movement. When empty, the fuel bladder can be rolled up and stowed out of the way.
For boaters who regularly venture far from shore, carrying a portable fuel bladder can be an excellent investment in safety and peace of mind during long days on the water.