What size tank?

Most guys use at least a 6 gallon tank, but a 3 gallon tank would be fine depending on motor size.

I'm running a 23hp

I run a 20hp mud buddy longtail and had this same question earlier when I was setting up my boat. I went with a 3 gallon and ran my boat for just under 2 hours saturday total drive time with 2 guys a dog and a few decoys and used .71 gallons of gas acording to the pump after I was done. So 3 gallons was more than plenty for me also I found using non-ethanol fuel will last you much longer and you run better in the small motors.

Thanks for the reply, it's nice to know how much fuel is being used to push these motors . I plan on running premium. As far as I know ethanol isn't added to premium, but I'll keep an eye out just in case.

I run ethanol free in my 23 (just about everything actually). I bought a Backwater SWOMP last year and called and asked about fuel consumption. At wide open, my 23 will burn through something like 2.3 gallons per hour. I don't run my boat anywhere wide open for an hour. But with that said, I still went with a 6 gallon tank.

I run a 6 gallon on an 18HP surfacedrive. I'v never run out. It goes FOR EVER!
I'v taken it out on 3 or 4 trips in a row and it still has at least 1/2 tank left.

Drove from Provo boat harbor into Mud Lake shooting carp 2 separate times without filling up. I figured I drove somewhere between 8-10 miles each trip and I still had plenty of gas.

If I use my boat every weekend, which I pretty much do. I can easily go an entire month without filling up. I always check my usage though.

Thinking about it now, I may switch to a 3 gallon tank. I think I would still run forever and I can can make my boat 24lbs lighter, or convert that 24lbs of gas into extra gear.

HHmmmmm...

goosefreak said:

Thinking about it now, I may switch to a 3 gallon tank. I think I would still run forever and I can can make my boat 24lbs lighter, or convert that 24lbs of gas into extra gear.

HHmmmmm...

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Or just never fill your tank more than half way up :grin:

That's what I was thinking goose freak. But I might go with the 6 gallon and only fill it half when the weight counts.

Copper, how do you like your 23? That's what I just picked up. It'll be on a 1648 MV riveted.

LostLouisianian said:

Or just never fill your tank more than half way up :grin:

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HEY! you know what? I'v had a long day. I'v mentally exerted myself all day, take it easy on me. I'm fragile

goosefreak said:

HEY! you know what? I'v had a long day. I'v mentally exerted myself all day, take it easy on me. I'm fragile

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You should have taken the day off and gone hunting! I know about those mental exertion days....way more exhausting than a physical exertion day. Sorry bubba.....

FowledLife said:

Copper, how do you like your 23? That's what I just picked up. It'll be on a 1648 MV riveted.

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I love it. Mine is on a 15x42 jon boat. I'm not real big into tracking speeds but when I first got it, empty with me and my buddy I was pushing like 22.8 mph. The cativation plate makes it handle like a dream. Maintenance is super easy and Jake from Backwater always answered my phone calls and questions. With that being said, this is my first boat, but I don't have any complaints.