MacGregorSailors.com

Moe. I just bought one of the Tempo LPT 12 low profile fuel tank and put it in the port locker. I had to cut the sides about 1/2 inch on each side to get it in with the low profile cap. My old tanks are the Tempo 9Gas which is a 7.5 gallon tank. I still have the 9Gas in the other locker.
Jeff

Thanks for that info.

I have all the paperwork from where the original owner bought the boat, and see the 12 gallon tanks on the dealer's list of MacGregor options. That line says "requires cutting." I wonder if the dealer didn't cut the starboard side wide enough?

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Moe

Moe;

I have these in my boat too. Did you open the vent screw in the top of the cap? Internal pressure may be keeping it from coming out easy. The lower cap would make it easier, I just lift the inboard side, slide it down and out until the cap clears. I have a hard time understanding why the 7.5 gal tank has a part # of 9GAS.

You need to be careful with the model numbers on the tempo tanks. I forget which is which since it's been a few years. But I put in what I thought were bigger tanks based on the model numbers and what was specified in the catalog. However according to the gas pump it was full and still shy a couple gallons from what I expected (If memory serves me correctly I think they were Tempo12...says it's 12 gallons, but only holds 9). Additionally I searched everything written on the tank as I thought legally it had to say what the max capacity is. It says absolutely nothing. Checking other tanks at WM I found they did in fact specifiy right on the tank what the capacity is.

I eventually got pi$$ enough to contact Tempo and was told, "yeah, we know, sorry that is a misprint in the catalog, they aren't as big as it says." I haven't checked in a few years but I suspect that misprint is still there today. It made no sense to use them since I was better off with my original configuration.

In the end I was better off sticking with what I had...

Two 6's - one for each side. I had a few 2.5 gallon jerry cans that would fit neatly with the 6's - two on a side gave me a 5 gallon refill and fir if I turned the 6 sideways. But just months after I bought those, California decided they should be outlawed and decided we should all toss those out and replace them with "no spill" cans. Techically a gas station isn't suppose to let you fill a can unless it has the no spill spout.

They didn't fit so well in the trash can which is were the ended up after a couple uses. Now I'm stuck with two 1 gallon refills per side because that's all that fits with that stupid nozzel thing sticking up.

The best tank solution seems to be 3 or 4 of the 6 gallon OMC tanks and a slight trim of the fuel locker. But I'm not eager to go out and spend another $100+ on more tanks.

You need to be careful with the model numbers on the tempo tanks. I forget which is which since it's been a few years. But I put in what I thought were bigger tanks based on the model numbers and what was specified in the catalog. However according to the gas pump it was full and still shy a couple gallons from what I expected (If memory serves me correctly I think they were Tempo12...says it's 12 gallons, but only holds 9). Additionally I searched everything written on the tank as I thought legally it had to say what the max capacity is. It says absolutely nothing. Checking other tanks at WM I found they did in fact specifiy right on the tank what the capacity is.

I eventually got pi$$ enough to contact Tempo and was told, "yeah, we know, sorry that is a misprint in the catalog, they aren't as big as it says." I haven't checked in a few years but I suspect that misprint is still there today. It made no sense to use them since I was better off with my original configuration.

In the end I was better off sticking with what I had...

Two 6's - one for each side. I had a few 2.5 gallon jerry cans that would fit neatly with the 6's - two on a side gave me a 5 gallon refill and fir if I turned the 6 sideways. But just months after I bought those, California decided they should be outlawed and decided we should all toss those out and replace them with "no spill" cans. Techically a gas station isn't suppose to let you fill a can unless it has the no spill spout.

They didn't fit so well in the trash can which is were the ended up after a couple uses. Now I'm stuck with two 1 gallon refills per side because that's all that fits with that stupid nozzel thing sticking up.

The best tank solution seems to be 3 or 4 of the 6 gallon OMC tanks and a slight trim of the fuel locker. But I'm not eager to go out and spend another $100+ on more tanks.

As far as I've ever heard the 12's are always 12 gallons. It's the ones stamped with the model number 9GAS that are the confusing ones. Some say they can get 9 gallons in, the mfg has said a variety of things ranging from 7 gallons to 8.5 gallons.

I do still think the 4 tank solution is better. For all intensive purposes a installation with 12 gallon tanks is really a permanent tank installation. Lifting them from the boat to take to the gas station is not a easy task. That is a lot of awkward weight, they have no handles, etc.

The 4 OMC's is the only system I've heard of that fits in the lockers un-modified (Although some have needed to cut a bit at the top for the filler caps).

If you're willing to do a little cutting, I far prefer the 4 tank tempo solution I just did. The filler necks and the fuel take offs are in the perfect place for the mac lockers. You can fill them on board with out having to move, open or undo anything. No seat openings and funnels like a 12 gallon install. Yet they are still very easy to remove and carry when you want to take them on shore for cheaper gas. It even leaves some room in the locker for quarts of oil, stove fuel, etc. I didn't even have to move my cockpit speakers. Best thing is these tanks are frequently on sale at Boaters World. I bought the Tempo Value6 tanks at $12.95 each, $51.80 for four tanks. Filled to the fill line they each hold exactly 6 gallons, Over filled to the filler neck (which still leaves a large air space for expansion in the top mounted handle area) they hold 6.6 gallons. They do not have a reserve area, you can use all that fuel. When my motor runs dry there is less than 1/10th of a gallon left in the tank.

Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote:As far as I've ever heard the 12's are always 12 gallons. It's the ones stamped with the model number 9GAS that are the confusing ones. Some say they can get 9 gallons in, the mfg has said a variety of things ranging from 7 gallons to 8.5 gallons.

Maybe that was it...9's that only held 7.5 sounds familiar. It was a couple years ago and something I tried to forget about.

Hello:
If I'm trying to get one of my LPT12 tanks out that has expanded, I loosen the cap, push down on the tank top to let the fumes out and collapse the tank some. Then I tighten the cap (with the vent closed of course). Now with a vacuum in the tank the sides will return to their "memory" position and the tank will come out easily.

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I like the hook-up side being inboard and easy to get to, as well as the guage being easy to see. This puts the pickup at the low side as well. I did note the original dealer cut the aft end of the opening to get it to fit.

I think we've decided to put a couple of 6" (8-1/8" total diameter) screw type non-skid deck plates in the seats over the fillers outboard. With these, the taller filler caps will probably be better anyway.

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Moe

The wife HAD to have a set of the stock cockpit cushions, and after calling the big dealers and even MacGregor with no luck, found a set right down the road at Strictly Sail in Cincinnati.

Installed the replacement spreader and trailer fender that arrived yesterday from PSC. The boat was advertised as being used only once, but it must've been a bad day. Besides the bent spreader, there's that repair on the sliding hatch leading edge. He must've dropped the mast. It also looks like the centerboard was dragged up the ramp. I got a box of Marinetex to fix some of those, as well as the hole in the sink.

The PO also mounted two fire extinguishers on the aft side of the aft dinette seat, one perfectly in line with the ladder leg blocking it from swinging up, and one where the latch prevents the head door from opening. Those are coming out and the screw holes covered with screws with white screw caps. That'll look better than any filling I could do.

Ah well... back to work on the boat Best wishes to you guys down in Florida.

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Moe

PS For anyone looking for a 2005 26M, Strictly Sail should be getting two of them in the next week or so.

More fun today. The second battery was next to the original, leaning over with all its weight on one edge, on the hull. Both batteries came out and I cut a two battery sized square of plywood, placed it on the ballast compartment, and supported it next to the compartment (for the 2nd battery) with the two tiny 4" X 15" fenders that came with the boat. I strapped the 2nd battery to the first, which is strapped to seat bulkhead, and put a 5" X 19" fender between the 2nd battery and hull. That's not only for some cushioning, but with the small fenders, to provide additional floatation on the port side should the boat swamp.

The outboard was wired directly to the deep-cycle battery, with the house loads on the Off-1-Both-2 switch which also connected to the starting battery. So I swapped everything around, wiring the house loads directly to the deep-cycle battery, and the outboard switchable between the batteries, but mainly set on the starting battery.

I want to add a voltage-sensing relay that will charge the house battery, even with the switch set on 1 (start).

Ah well... back to work.

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Moe

Moe,
Did you try the Flying J WIFI card? We are retired truckdrivers and spent many nights at the Flying J...love that WIFI

My notebook has 802.11a/b/g internal, and I got a b connection at the FlyingJ.

I bought one of the $1.95/1-hour cards in the store but was too tired to figure out how to use it, so I just went to their website and bought a day at $4.95 on my credit card. It was worth it not to have to think! LOL! If I were stopping there every night as a trucker, I'd sure sign up for their monthly rate.

We have a FlyingJ RV card and fill up there whenever we can. I hope you don't take offense at it, but our triple-axle Airstream is 35' long, the hitch adds a foot and the truck is 21' long, so we use the big truck islands because most of the RV islands are pretty tight right in front of the store. Our F250 takes the big fuel nozzles at full speed, so it's faster, and I don't worry about having to shut the LP refrigerator off where there's no one filling up with gasoline next to us and creating fumes. We do take the boats through the RV island though.

FlyingJs are clean, RV-friendly, the food, and fuel and LP prices, aren't bad, and there's a lot of activity all night long, so it's a LOT safer than sleeping at a rest stop. We give 'em our business.

I love gassing at Flying J. Usually 2-3 cents a gallon cheaper than local competitors and always get a smile. Motorcycle, car, or truck I usually try to stop there if nothing else for something to drink. I've not tried the WIFI stuff but it seems intriguing.

OK - whats the "WIFI" card about - we have traveled up and down the I-75 to Florida a few times - seen some of the Flying J's - are you saying you just park there and spend the night - sounds like a good idea