Rajan Wilcox
The Grady Sailfish is a boat with two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary (aux) tank. The capacity of these tanks varies across models, with the main tank holding between 96 and 180 gallons and the auxiliary tank holding between 47 and 75 gallons. The fuel tanks are not piped together, and each has its own fill mechanism. The boat also features a valve in the transom that allows the user to switch between the main and auxiliary tanks. The location of the switch to change fuel tanks has been a topic of discussion among owners, with some unable to locate it. Some owners have found the switch by following the fuel lines or reaching up under a hatch, while others have suggested contacting Grady customer service for assistance.
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What You'll Learn
- Grady Sailfish boats have two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary tank
- The main tank holds approximately 150 gallons of fuel, while the auxiliary tank holds 50 gallons
- Each tank has its own fill and can be used separately or simultaneously with a selector valve
- The fuel tank switching valve is located in-line between the tank pickup and the filters
- Some Grady Sailfish owners have reported issues with fuel tank corrosion, particularly in the auxiliary tank
Grady Sailfish boats have two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary tank
Grady Sailfish boats have two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary (aux) tank. The capacity of these tanks varies across different models of the boat. For instance, the 1992 252 model has two tanks, each with a capacity of 101 gallons, while the 1989 Sailfish 255 has separate fuel caps for the main and auxiliary tanks. The 1990 Sailfish has a 125-gallon main tank and a 75-gallon auxiliary tank.
The fuel tanks in the Grady Sailfish are not piped together, and each tank is filled and drawn down separately. Each motor has a selector valve that allows the user to choose which tank to draw fuel from. This means that both engines can run off the same tank simultaneously if desired. Users can switch tanks while the boat is in motion, but they must be cautious to use the selector valves appropriately to avoid losing power at sea.
The location of the switch to change between the main and auxiliary tanks seems to vary across different models of the Grady Sailfish. Some users have reported finding the switch in the aft area, while others have been advised to look underneath the aft port hatch up against the inside of the hull. The switch typically has a valve with a short handle and a point indicating which tank the fuel is being drawn from.
Some users have reported issues with corrosion in their fuel tanks, particularly in the main tank, due to the way the rubber on the aluminium traps moisture. This has resulted in the need to replace the tanks or find alternative solutions, such as custom-built tanks or buying off-the-shelf replacement tanks.
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The main tank holds approximately 150 gallons of fuel, while the auxiliary tank holds 50 gallons
The Grady Sailfish is a boat with two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary tank. The main tank holds approximately 150 gallons of fuel, while the auxiliary tank holds 50 gallons. The two tanks are not piped together, and each has its own fill. There is also a valve in the transom to switch from the main tank to the auxiliary tank.
The location of the switch to change between the two tanks can vary. Some Grady Sailfish models have a rocker switch at the helm, which allows the user to see how much fuel is in each tank. Others have a manual selector valve, which is usually located in the aft area, near the rear of the boat. The selector valve has a short handle with a point indicating which tank the fuel is being drawn from.
It is important to note that the Grady Sailfish is a boat model with different variants, and the fuel tank capacities may vary slightly between different models and years. For example, one user with a 1992 Grady Sailfish 252 model mentions that both tanks are listed as holding 101 gallons, while another user with a 1986 model mentions their main tank capacity is 125 gallons and the auxiliary tank capacity is 75 gallons.
Some users have also mentioned issues with corrosion in the fuel tanks, particularly in the main tank, due to the installation technique used by Grady-White. This has resulted in the need for replacement tanks in some cases.
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Each tank has its own fill and can be used separately or simultaneously with a selector valve
The Grady Sailfish has two fuel tanks, each with its own fill. The tanks can be used separately or simultaneously with a selector valve. This means that each motor can run off a different tank, providing flexibility and control over fuel usage.
The selector valve allows the user to choose which tank the fuel is drawn from. One user describes the valve as having a "short handle and a point indicating which tank the fuel is drawn from". The valve is usually located near the rear of the boat, with fuel lines connecting to it without having to feed forward and then back to the motors.
Some Grady Sailfish models have a rocker switch at the helm to toggle between the main and auxiliary tanks to see the fuel level in each tank. However, this switch does not control which tank is being used. The manual selector valve is typically located in the aft area, and users are advised to follow the fuel lines to find it.
The two tanks are not piped together, and each tank is filled and draws fuel separately. This provides the advantage of being able to run both engines off the same tank simultaneously if desired. It also allows for the option to swap tanks while the boat is in motion.
Users should be mindful of using the selector valves and fuel management to avoid losing power at sea. It is recommended to use both tanks regularly to ensure fresh fuel is added, especially when using ethanol fuel.
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The fuel tank switching valve is located in-line between the tank pickup and the filters
The Grady Sailfish is a boat with two fuel tanks: a main tank and an auxiliary (aux) tank. Each tank has its own fill, and the boat has a valve in the transom to switch from the main tank to the auxiliary tank.
A fuel tank switching valve allows the user to switch between two different tanks. In the case of the Grady Sailfish, the valve lets the user choose between the main and auxiliary tanks. The valve is located in-line between the tank pickup and the filters. This means that the valve is placed in the fuel line between the tank and the engine, allowing it to control which tank is supplying fuel to the engine.
The fuel tank switching valve is an essential component for boats with multiple fuel tanks, as it enables the user to select the desired fuel source. This is particularly useful when one tank is running low, or if there is an issue with the fuel in one of the tanks. By switching tanks, the boat can continue to operate without interruption.
The fuel tank switching valve is a manual selector valve, allowing the user to physically choose which tank to draw fuel from. This is different from an electric switch, which would be controlled electronically. The valve is located near the fuel lines, making it accessible for maintenance and repairs.
Overall, the fuel tank switching valve plays a crucial role in the fuel system of the Grady Sailfish, ensuring a seamless transition between fuel tanks and providing the engine with the necessary fuel supply.
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Some Grady Sailfish owners have reported issues with fuel tank corrosion, particularly in the auxiliary tank
In some cases, the corrosion has resulted in holes in the tank, requiring replacement. One owner of a 1990 Sailfish reported deep pitting under a rubber strap on the secondary tank, which could not be repaired. Another owner of a Grady Offshore 240 reported rust and corrosion in the auxiliary tank, with a stripped-out screw that needed attention.
To prevent corrosion, some owners recommend rinsing the tanks with fresh water 2-3 times per season and ensuring that deck plates and seals are kept clean. It is also important to keep an eye on the fuel level and avoid letting the tank sit partially full for extended periods, as this can lead to water/fuel issues and accelerate corrosion.
If corrosion is already present, it is important to address it promptly. In some cases, the tank may need to be replaced, especially if it is badly corroded. Owners can contact Grady dealers or companies like RDS to obtain original drawings or replacement tanks. It is also possible to have a custom tank built by a specialist. When replacing the tank, owners may need to cut the deck to remove and install the new tank, especially if the existing tank is inaccessible.
Overall, while some Grady Sailfish owners have experienced fuel tank corrosion, especially in the auxiliary tank, proper maintenance and prompt action can help prevent and address this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
There is a switch at the helm that allows you to toggle between the two tanks and see how much fuel is in each. There are also directional pointing switches in the aft area to allow you to run each motor off the main or aux tank.
Look underneath the aft port hatch up against the inside of the hull. When the pointer is towards the bow, the main tank is open, and when it is pointing aft towards the stern, the auxiliary tank is open.
The capacity of the auxiliary fuel tank varies across different models of the Grady Sailfish. The auxiliary tank capacity has been stated as 50 gallons, 53 gallons, 75 gallons, and 47 gallons in different models.
Yes, it is possible to have two custom fuel tanks of equal size. Some owners have mentioned having two tanks of 101 gallons each, while others have inquired about the process of obtaining custom tanks of equal size.
Some issues that have been reported include corrosion, particularly under the fill line, and pitting under the rubber straps. These issues can lead to fuel leaks and require replacement or repair of the fuel tanks.
