5
below the ¼ mark. While there is still useable fuel, rough seas or even big rolling
wakes could cause the intake to take in air.
Mary K has 6 tanks, 3 each side. You will see 3 filler caps each side near the aft end
of the cabin that coincide with the tanks. You can also see the tank vents located on
the aft corner of the cabin. As one might expect the port vent is for the 3 port tanks
and the starboard vent is for the starboard tanks. As you fill you can hear the
gurgling at the vents. Typically, the starboard aft tank (250gal) is left empty. The
port side aft tank (#5) supplies the Hurricane Heater. Normally this is left at the ¼
full mark. The numbering of the tanks is as follows: port side 1 forward(150gal), 3
center(150gal), 5 aft(250gal). Starboard side 2 forward(150gal), 4 center(150gal),
6 aft(250gal). You will note the tank sender switch is laid out similarly as is the fuel
manifold in the engine room. When you switch tanks be sure to switch the tanks
switch in the pilot house.
Open the filler caps located on either side of the aft deck with the deck-fitting key
kept in the drawer on the starboard side in the aft end of the main cabin.
MAKE
SURE YOU HAVE DIESEL
!
Make sure it is going into the right deck fill! DOUBLE-
CHECK! Before pumping, have your oil/fuel sorb ready to soak up any spilled fuel.
You should have a rough idea of how many gallons you will need, but have someone
check the fuel gauge frequently by turning on the
“
instrument
”
switch on the DC
panel. Be certain to switch to the correct tank.
Put
Diesel
nozzle into the deck fitting and pump slowly listening to the sound of the
flow. Pumping too fast may not allow excess air to escape, which will lead to spillage
out the vent, particularly tanks 1 & 2. As the tank fills, the sound will rise in pitch or
gurgle. Pay attention to the vent that it does not spill fuel into the water. Top off
carefully, catching any spillage with your sorb.
Fill the forward tanks first
, then the
center tanks and last, if they are used the aft tanks. The reason for this is the filler
hose to the forward tanks (1 & 2) is very flat. If you fill the aft tanks first the stern
will settle and flatten the hose even more. If you have all day feel free to reverse
the process.
Check your gauges! Clean up any spatter and wash hands thoroughly.
Fuel management
Tanks 1,2,3,4 are normally used for the engine and genset. At 150gal each and a
consumption of 5gal/hr you can run for 120 hrs and this would give you an 840
nautical mile range if you used every drop. Because you never want to run a diesel
dry, a single tank with a reasonable reserve will yield about 25 hrs at cruise. Tank 5
is dedicated to the heater but can also be used for the engine and genset as can tank
6. Each holds 250gals and would extend the range to 1500 nm. To achieve greater
range, it will be necessary to switch tanks. The fuel manifold is located forward of
the engine on the starboard side. As you look at it, to the left is the supply side and
the right is the return side. Switching tanks is a simple matter of opening the valve
to the new tank on both the supply and return and closing the valve on each for the
old tank. Never use different supply and return tanks unless you intend to transfer
fuel between tanks and are monitoring the tanks closely. Finally change the tank
gauge switch in the pilot house.
Emergency Steering
Should the steering fail there is an emergency tiller located under the settee in the
main cabin. On the aft deck there is an access plate which can be removed with the
