I have a 42 Ex and usually only fill up the larger forward tanks, keeping only 20 gallons or so in the rear tanks to use as a "reserve", but I wonder if the boat would carry the bow higher and thus be faster if I did it the other way around?

Yes!

I have an 2001 with 575s and I was discussing speed. I was always 2 mph off, and I was told by a very good source that the rear tanks should always be used and the fronts as reserve only - run them down almost dry. This amounts to 2 mph difference. I have one of the big step bottoms that supposedly has a lot of stern lift.

Looking forward to testing this theory the next time I am out on the boat.

Good question,

I see the fuel tanks are something like 250 - 260 gallons in the main tank and 25 - 30 gallons in each of the saddle bag tanks. 310 gallons is plenty of fuel for a performance boat with twins. I would think 250 - 260 gallons should be enough fuel for any poker run or cruise to the Keys.

What if you took both of the saddle tanks out and used them for fender storage in the bilge and use the main tank for fuel? You would lose around 500 lbs off the boat without the additional saddle bag tanks full of fuel.

How about making the cabin a poker run half cabin and a zipper front v - berth for storage?

Also, I asked a question about the 42's with the Merc ITS & Sportmaster drives and no one answered the question. Does this application work on the 42's or is the step to aggressive?

I have a friend with a 97 42 with trips.
When he fills up, he tops off all 4 tanks, then runs the main tanks down halfway(when the gauges start moving off Full to 3/4) he then drains the saddles down into the mains.
He has had the boat for 6-7 years or so.

I just bought a new 42 EX and was told to just keep 15-20 gal a piece in the rear and run off the fronts all of the time. This will increase stern lift??? seems to have worked so far I can't Imagine trying to run all day by filling up the rears all of the time just to keep the fuel/weight out of the front of the boat.....BZ

I think the 4 tanks is 250 total.

Thats what I do, and I have 6 tanks. I have been thinking about removing the saddle tanks. T