How to interpret fuel level?

[ScoobaDooba]

Hi all,

We purchased a Yamaha SX210 and have loved every minute of lake time that we've been able to squeeze in so far this summer. This forum has been a fantastic resource to learn more about the new boat. And so I ask the knowledgeable people here: how do I know exactly how much gas I should put in the boat? The fuel gauge will vary significantly depending on the pitch of the boat. Specifically, when the engine is off and the boat is floating flat in the water, it reads perhaps 20-30% lower than when traveling at speed and the boat is on plane. So when I go to fill the boat with gas, should I assume the lower number is the actual amount of fuel in the tank? I certainly don't want to overfill, but I also want to minimize the number of trips to the gas station.

 

[dzeppos]

I reset the fuel data consumption each time we file. It then shows how much gas you used - and it’s very accurate. This is a feature on any boat with Connext This way we know how much fuel we burned.

 

[Crob83]

Hi all,

We purchased a Yamaha SX210 and have loved every minute of lake time that we've been able to squeeze in so far this summer. This forum has been a fantastic resource to learn more about the new boat. And so I ask the knowledgeable people here: how do I know exactly how much gas I should put in the boat? The fuel gauge will vary significantly depending on the pitch of the boat. Specifically, when the engine is off and the boat is floating flat in the water, it reads perhaps 20-30% lower than when traveling at speed and the boat is on plane. So when I go to fill the boat with gas, should I assume the lower number is the actual amount of fuel in the tank? I certainly don't want to overfill, but I also want to minimize the number of trips to the gas station.

Fill it until it automatically stops like a car, then you know it's full

 

[Elliott]

As stated above, fuel it until the pump cuts off - it is full. Also with use, you will learn what the various levels mean. My 2017 FSH (no Connext) has 12 gallons left of the 32 total when the gauge shows 1/4 full (my gauge does not vary much floating versus running), and when the low fuel message appears I have 6 gallons remaining. I know these levels from experience (fueling till full after seeing the indication). I typically refuel at 1/4 full. However, I did recently wait until I got the low fuel message to see what it really means. We were tubing just outside the marina, and I easily could have made it back to the marina with the trolling motor if I had run out of fuel.

 

[Dixie Highway]

I’ll be honest this is one of the things that drives me crazy about Yamaha’s. I do understand that a boat with a float based level sender will vary a lot more vs a car, as the pitch changes much more dramatically. On my boat the sender is very offset towards the rear of the boat. I suspect this is the same for most of them, as this has been brought up in the past. I’ve tried filling up on the trailer at different angles (bow up, bow down, doesn’t seem to matter) and when I get out on the water at rest the highest my gauge will read is 86%. Once on plane it will go up slowly and eventually read 100%. It makes sense to do it this way on a boat, let’s say you fill up then head out for the day. You’d want the gauge accurate when moving, that way if you just start cruising until the gauge reads 55% then turn around you shouldn’t run out before you get back. On the other hand at anchor you have already run on plane and know what the level is. That’s also the time the gauge reads low so you’ll think you have less than you do, use it as a built in reserve.

 

[ScoobaDooba]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've just been anxious about overfilling and spilling some fuel, but I guess it makes sense to fill it up until it stops like a car.

 

[Canuckjetboater]

Fill it until it automatically stops like a car, then you know it's full

@ScoobaDooba see @Crob83 - what he said!