I have a '96 42 Lightning with the rear saddle tanks.
Used them when I first purchased the boat but didn't like the ride attitude.
It had 4 blade Hydro's and tended to drag the stern through the water.
The sides around the vents where always water sprayed.
Now have p5/30's with great stern lift.
Was thinking about gassing up the saddle tanks before I slip the boat for a long weekend.
Extra gas from the street is cheaper but don't need to have a crappy ride just to save a buck.
Wanted input from others weather or not to go this route.

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Yeah I got em..I just use them on the long trips..If your gonna use the fuel .Why not .save the money and hassel of a lake fill.


Also I use them by putting a few gallons in one ..That way I can run my main tank complelety down without wondering if I can get back to the dock.

Yes, Use them on Poker Runs and Long trips. Mine only hold 35 gallons each and at 60MPH it does not take long to empty them. Getting on plane is a BIG PAIN IN THE ASS with a full load of fuel, but what can one due. I always use my aft tanks first then run on the main's when needed.

I am going to clean mine out and use them for the same reason. The Fountain fuel sendors suck. The gauge shows 1/2 a tank and I better find a gas station quick "triples"

I always keep 10 -20 gallons in them (30 gallon capacity) just to make sure I make back to the gas dock. Gas gauges tend to drop in a hurry past 3/4 of a tank. I have not noticed any problems getting up on plane with the fuel in the saddle tanks. I run labbed Maximus 30P.

I have next to no gas in them and it has been that way most of the year. I agree with a FULL load of fuel planing is even more of a pain in the azz. I seems to me with less fuel in the back the boat planes quicker.. I run 32 Bravo's and 525's.....

I have never put fuel in mine, my trips and/or poker runs are fine with the main....not much left over afterwards mind you.....

I had that problem with the 32P Bravo's. They would blow out. I went to a 28P Maximus, unlabbed and the boat jumped on plane and ran great, but was just on the rev limiter. I had the 30P labbed by Mercury and they work well, but not as good as the unlabbed 28P getting on plane and are at about 5100 @ WOT.

here is a pic of me running out of gas, courtsey of my boys.

From OSO

Left to right
Wstultz with the OSO shirt
BigAndy behind Wstultz
Trojan-Man the bald guy
Spk1 the gay guy on the right
RColter taking the picture and towing me back....

Better clean out those tanks. Never a good idea to run out of gas in front of the whole crew. How many of the Conroe guys are going to Destin?