Yalta Craft 555 Fuel Tank

[JulianDeMarchi]

So, the full tank setup in the Yalta is shit. You fill from the rear of the tank and you always have air pockets to deal with. Pretty crap design. I'm going to block of my rear filler then put one inbetween the seats so I fill from the higest point, not the lowest. I went to 1770 this weekend, and when refueling we didn't know if she was full or not due to the air pockets.

So... Has anyone ever tried something like this in their Yalta? Talking with Lance, we're thinking of putting in a bigger access hatch between the seats and then filling tank with water, cutting into it and putting in the new filler. Any thoughts?

Also, someone was talking bout adding an extra fuel tank between the bunks on their yalta. If whoever was going to do this, did it, can you let me know how it went? We're guessing if I get a custom tank in there, it'll be 60liters at most? Enough to get home from Sykes at least, good reserve amount.

[Duckfish]

Had the same problem with my Haines. Fixed it by replacing the cap up in the centre of the tank with a nut with an air breather pipe, then fitted a reinforced fuel line to an air breather fitting to the outboard well. Now works a treat.
Duckfish

[JulianDeMarchi]

Had the same problem with my Haines. Fixed it by replacing the cap up in the centre of the tank with a nut with an air breather pipe, then fitted a reinforced fuel line to an air breather fitting to the outboard well. Now works a treat.
Duckfish

The yalta has a air breather at the back and front of the tank which went into the splash well. The filler is in the rear of the tank at the stern. So on an angle, it won't push to the front and just comes out the rear breather and the filler pipe. Defective by design!

[ozynorts]

I went to 1770 this weekend,

I was swimming down at 1770 on Sunday and saw you come in, thanks for the heads up mate...

So... Has anyone ever tried something like this in their Yalta? Talking with Lance, we're thinking of putting in a bigger access hatch between the seats and then filling tank with water, cutting into it and putting in the new filler. Any thoughts?

I would think you would have an issue with height at the top of the tank to get the filler into unless the fill hose went into the side of the tank but you would then risk not being able to fill the whole tank. I never really had an issue with mine. I just slowed the rate of fill down as it got full and always got it right to the top.

Also, someone was talking bout adding an extra fuel tank between the bunks on their yalta. If whoever was going to do this, did it, can you let me know how it went? We're guessing if I get a custom tank in there, it'll be 60liters at most? Enough to get home from Sykes at least, good reserve amount.

I think this add a lot of weight forward and you would have an issue getting the right trim. I think it would be cheaper to get a collapsible jerry, even though they are not cheap, and it can then be put away and not take up space. If you put in a permanent option up front it is always there and I found I liked that space when I had to go forward.

[JulianDeMarchi]

I was swimming down at 1770 on Sunday and saw you come in, thanks for the heads up mate...


I would think you would have an issue with height at the top of the tank to get the filler into unless the fill hose went into the side of the tank but you would then risk not being able to fill the whole tank. I never really had an issue with mine. I just slowed the rate of fill down as it got full and always got it right to the top.


I think this add a lot of weight forward and you would have an issue getting the right trim. I think it would be cheaper to get a collapsible jerry, even though they are not cheap, and it can then be put away and not take up space. If you put in a permanent option up front it is always there and I found I liked that space when I had to go forward.

I'm sorry for not letting you know mate. It was a hurried decision! I did see a bloke swimming on the way back in, I did not recognize you otherwise I'd have driven over and said hi.

I have spoke to Yalta Craft directly and I think George found the issue. The breather pipes being lower then the filler pipe resulting them in filling with fuel. His statements are backed up, as when I'm filling the tank the breathers spurt fuel out. It's really got me wondering how much I'm actually putting in as I've never put over 100 liters in. He is also sure I have a 180 liter tank, which makes me think I've been running around with a full tank when I have not. So this would explain my lousy fuel figures, when they should be at 2Ks per liter. I'd really like him to be right bout my tank!

I have Friday off for the G20 crap in Brissy, so I'll drain my tank and check all the breather pipes and see if I can figure out what he was talking about, as I still don't fully understand what he was saying correctly in my head.

Sorry again mate for not giving you a heads up!

[ozynorts]

I recall the lump saying that his was a 180 lt tank as well. I think the mid 2000 models seemed to have the bigger tank. My guess is where they are situated on the tank perhaps.... Mine used to spurt fuel sometimes but I got used to listening to it when refuelling and when I could hear them start to whistle I would slow down.
This could be why he changed the tank size?
No drama's about not letting me know mate, just stirring.

[honda900]

Three things that worked for me:

1. The simplest option is to find a servo that has a slope, and face the boat down hill at the pump.
2. When fuel starts to spew out the breathers, stop. then use Gerry cans and syphon hose to fill it up, that will show you exactly how much from a full tank you really are as it trickles the fuel in.
3. When it starts to spew out the breathers or you hear the breathers start to whistle, stop pumping fuel. You will hear it gurgling in the tank, Let it sit for a minute or two, when the noise stops, continue to fill the tank at a slower rate from the pump, it will work, just takes a bit longer but will run up the filler hose.

On mine (which did the same thing) it was approximately 10 litres short of being full when the breathers started choking.

Yes, can confirm some of the earlier models had a 180ltr tank new ones have a 150ltr tank, the tank manufacturer changed sizes.

Regards
Honda.

[ozynorts]

Much cheaper Julian to try what Honda and I have suggested first and see if that makes a difference. Also at the Agnes servo I always drove in from the uphill end even after a trip out. I try to always use the pumps on the right and pulled all the way forward. The servo is on a slight incline.

[JulianDeMarchi]

Three things that worked for me:

1. The simplest option is to find a servo that has a slope, and face the boat down hill at the pump.
2. When fuel starts to spew out the breathers, stop. then use Gerry cans and syphon hose to fill it up, that will show you exactly how much from a full tank you really are as it trickles the fuel in.
3. When it starts to spew out the breathers or you hear the breathers start to whistle, stop pumping fuel. You will hear it gurgling in the tank, Let it sit for a minute or two, when the noise stops, continue to fill the tank at a slower rate from the pump, it will work, just takes a bit longer but will run up the filler hose.

On mine (which did the same thing) it was approximately 10 litres short of being full when the breathers started choking.

Yes, can confirm some of the earlier models had a 180ltr tank new ones have a 150ltr tank, the tank manufacturer changed sizes.

Regards
Honda.

But my issue relates to refueling at sea as well. Bit harder to get the nose down out there like I had this weekend, then the assumptions start about how much is actually in the tank when planning where to go. You could have a 20 liter air bubble, or more? Who knows, and I don't want to risk that any more. If I cut the floor between my seats, drill the top of the tank I can then fill it from the back instead of the front. Then it runs downhill to the rear and I know 100% she is full, no more assumptions.

[honda900]

Does the problem occur when filling it from a syphon hose at sea?

That's a big cut in the floor, a place for rot to start. Also you will have to make sure your cuts are perfect as to not wind up with a lump in the floor, or a cut in the tank, worth considering.

One alternative springs to mind, simply drill another hole at the top of the tank at the back and install a 3rd breather, above the fuel filler height, its a plastic tank.

Forgot to mention, (wont help at sea), I also replaced the front inspection port with a clear one, simply so I could see how much fuel was in the tank.

Regards
Honda.

[Fed]

I had a problem a while back and when I finally got around to fixing it I found my breather had a very slight dip in it, that was enough to allow columes of fuel to form then spurt out instead of air.

[JulianDeMarchi]

I had a problem a while back and when I finally got around to fixing it I found my breather had a very slight dip in it, that was enough to allow columes of fuel to form then spurt out instead of air.

This is what Yalta Craft explained the issue could be to me. When I get the boat home from Aussie123's tonight I'll have a look for a dip in the two breather lines. Then I'll look at Honda900s sugestions. I just want confidence that when I fill my tank at sea and it comes up to the filler, it is actually full.

[Noelm]

Be careful cutting the tank, filling with water will result in you getting wet when it blows up, I think a bit of mucking around with angles and so on is a far better (but slightly inconvenient) solution without removing the tank completely and doing the job properly.

[JulianDeMarchi]

Be careful cutting the tank, filling with water will result in you getting wet when it blows up, I think a bit of mucking around with angles and so on is a far better (but slightly inconvenient) solution without removing the tank completely and doing the job properly.

Its a plastic tank, so I shouldn't have sparks? Also honda, it does occur at sea. Its never been an issue before as I've only been doing 200 odd is, but as I learn the area I'm heading more north. I looked at the breather hoses and they're not sagging. I'm going to drain the tank and do the hole unless I get other ideas. Then I know 100% what I have in. Can't take risks with fuel that far offshore. I can seal the cut with glass again. I was just so paranoid when it occurred this time as I just don't know what's in there. The calibrated lmf was saying 20l and hour at 3700 rpms.

[captain red beard]

Julian, the tank in my Yalta has a sticker on it that states the size, pressure test date etc. It's on the top of the tank under the front hatch.

When I fill mine I wait until fuel spits out the breather then wait a minute then go again. Can take another 20-30 litres the second time. Always gets to full as it matches the fuel meter.

When refuelling at sea I have a long piece of fuel filler hose with the end of a funnel jammed in it. It pushes in pretty tight to the fuel filler making a nice seal. I then pour the fuel down the hose from jerry, with not much chance of water getting in. Just wait until you know there's not much fuel left and you shouldn't have a drama.

I also have reserve tanks at the rear of mine that hold another 60 litres. Doesn't seem to case any dramas with the extra weight.

Mine is a 150lt tank with a 130 yamaha.

Cheers Red Beard