Fuel gauge trust

[PJ61]

New to an early 80's 61 MY. Fuel capacity just over 1100 gals in two tanks with dial type gauges on top of the tanks. In past boats, I have always used a dip stick to determine fuel on board and have never been wrong. These gauges appear to be working properly, but I am curious of other members experience with these gauges or to learn another way to double check fuel on board. Thanks, PJ61

[Boatsb]

Fill them and never run below 1/2. Those gauges are as accurate as a congressman's tax return.

If you have flowscans use them too.

[SEVEN]

I replaced mine because I ran out of fuel. I read the gauge and it showed just under a half tank. Little did I know the float was stuck. I bought new ones from Sam’s and I always fill up after every other cruise. When I removed the old gauge I found just cleaning the rods with 220 sandpaper got them working again.

[Freeebird]

Fill them and never run below 1/2. Those gauges are as accurate as a congressman's tax return.

If you have flowscans use them too.

FloScans would make things easier after filling the tanks, but not running below half is a bit extreme, especially with that capacity.

[Boatsb]

If they work like mine 1/2 on the gauge is about 1/4 in gallons.

[Scarlett]

We have electric gauges that so far have worked well. A P.O. drill and taped the top of each tank and put in a pipe plug that’s easily removed so I can dip the tanks. On my delivery trip from San Francisco to San Diego I couldn’t figure out how to turn on the electric gauges so I dipped them during the trip and finally figured out how to turn on the gauges about 35 miles from San Diego. That’s what happens when the owner I bought the boat from knew absolutely nothing about the boat. John

[bobk]

Hart Tank Tender gages are easy to install and as accurate as your calibration.

Bobk

[Glory]

Fill them and never run below 1/2. Those gauges are as accurate as a congressman's tax return.

If you have flowscans use them too.

At hull speed that might be ok, at planning speed you will have a 3,000 #s of dead fuel on board all of the time, 550 gallons weighing 3,900 #s. There is a fuel cost to transporting the extra weight.

If I had no confidence in my fuel gauge I would verify or fix it.

[Boatsb]

Remember my gauges read 1/2 at true 1/4 tank. I keep that as planned reserve so it's not a lot of extra weight.

Many of our tanks just don't have a consistent shape.

[Freeebird]

Remember my gauges read 1/2 at true 1/4 tank. I keep that as planned reserve so it's not a lot of extra weight.

Many of our tanks just don't have a consistent shape.

So, you're trusting inaccurate gauges to remain accurate with those inaccurate readings?