Carrying extra fuel?

[chris in va]

Browsing around in the local boater store, I talked with a newbie about his experience running out of gas at 12am. He paid $180 for a tow company to bring him 5 gallons of gas (no tow) out on the Potomac. <br /><br />So. Is it ok to carry around a 5 gallon can of gas in the storage compartment next to the engine? With the blower on, of course.

 

[Snailman]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

That's always been one of my worst worries. I don't trust my fuel guage so until I get it replaced I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I'm a little worried about the safety (fire) issue though. Anyone have any experience with this?<br /><br />I bought a new fuel guage and sender. I'm going to try and install it myself. The instructions seem simple enough. Any experience or advice to share with complete rookie, non-mechanical type?<br /><br />I have a 5.7L I/O (Merc) and a 60 gallon tank. How many GPH should I be getting? What's the expected range? (21' Mod-V Cuddy)

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Blower or not, I believe I'd find some other place to put it. 5 gal of gas can make a very big explosion and fire and you can't be to careful with it.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you have a good container that don't leak...and don't forget to keep it fresh...pour it in the main tank when refueling and then refill...and keep it stowed securely...just my humble Thoughts

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I always carry a spare 5 gallons. There is no tow service on my lake. Its either the Sheriffs boat or a generous passerby, which is rare. I have come up on people fixing their boat out on the middle of the lake, and they tell of people just cruising by and ignoring the frantic waving for help. I always stop, because its the right thing to do and I know one day it might be me that needs help. So yeah, carring spare gas is prudent, and it isn't any less safe than all that gas in the gas tank, just make sure it is a god new can.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I'm in the process of building a little padded stowage box that will double as a seat...to hold my little 5 hp backup kicker and some gas for it. Only thing better than a little extra juice is a spare antique kicker to get me back to the dock if/when the old Merc gets contrary.<br /><br />Clear skies...bound for Shanghai

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Hmm, we seem to have two opposite opinions. I'll be watching this thread closely.

 

[DJ]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

chris,<br /><br />Any container of fuel in a closed compartment should be vented overboard. I do not like the idea of a container not designed for a closed compartment in that area.<br /><br />I will only carry spare fuel in an approved marine tank such as those used for outboards. Even at that, it is in the open.<br /><br />Have you thought about installing another small tank in that area with an approved vent/fill system?

 

[JerseyJim]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

my father told me stories of running the hudson canyon (100 miles offshore) in a twin engined 24' wellcraft airslot back in the 70s. To make sure they had enough fuel for the return journey, they used to lash down fuel bladders in the bow. I would be careful with it, and put it as far away from spark as possible, but i dont see a problem with it.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

i know it doesn't answer the question, but a rule of thumb i've always heard with boating- when planning a trip- 1/3 of your fuel out, 1/3 for back in, 1/3 for reserve. i never let my indicator fall past 1/3 before filling up again.<br /><br />i agree with djohns- wouldn't feel comfortable unless the tank was out in the open and vented.

 

[arks]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

When on vacation last year, we were at Lake Powell in AZ/UT. A huge lake with few marinas. It was common to see boats and PWC carrying extra gas cans, so I guess it's a common practice.<br /><br /> Gasoline vapors are heavier than air, so in an enclosed cockpit, guess where the fumes will go...directly to the bilge. That's the problem- any spark could ignite the vapors and cause a terrible expolsion. <br /><br />The only way I would even consider carrying extra gas would be if it was lashed to my swim platform. It's just not worth the risk to keep it anywhere in the cockpit or cabin. <br /><br />They do make a "gas substitute" for use in cars that run out of gas. It's called "Rescue" and is safe to store in a trunk. It's available at Pep Boys. I keep a can in my truck and one in the wife's car. It's not as flammable as real gas and, when mixed with the residual gas in an empty tank, will provide "about 10 miles" of extra capacity to get you to a filling station. I've never used it, but it might be a good thing to keep onboard instead of gas.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I'm with arks on this one, the only place I would carry a tank would be on the swim platform. Gas does give off fumes and expand under heat so where does that stuff go? If you can't safely vent it overboard then the tank needs to be outside of the boat. Just my 2 cents but I've always made sure I've had more than enough fuel when starting out that I've never even considered a spare tank.

 

[magster65]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Well, in our family we've had a boat explode from gas fumes so my vote goes to keeping it in the open or sealed with an external vent. Anything else is asking for trouble.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I did see that 'Rescue' stuff at Boaters World yesterday, but at $10/gallon it seemed pointless as our boats guzzle amazing amounts of gas. That would probably get me 1/2 mile. <br /><br />So I guess what could be done is get the 5 gallon plastic can and store it up in the bow storage locker away from the engine? There's nothing to spark it up there.

 

[DJ]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

chris,<br /><br />If that foraward area has ANY openings to the bilge, that's where the fumes will go.<br /><br />They will eventually find there way to an area where a spark is potential.

 

[arks]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Look, the bottom line is this:<br /> Carrying gasoline that's not in the designed tank(s) is dangerous. <br />It's pretty simple to figure out how much gas you'll use on a trip. The 1/3 rule is easy to remember. A little math never hurt anyone - unlike a gas can stored in a boat.<br /><br />This advise isn't meant to put you down, but to educate you to a real hazard. As a firefighter for 11 years I have seen the damage caused by gas fumes. Please use your head.

 

[rage]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

I am adding a 5 gallon tank in my engine area for just this reason. I too was leary of having a standard gas can (never saw one that didnt leak. What i am doing is getting a 5 gallon can for outbaord motor and running a squeeze pump from it to refill tube on main tank. If i run out i can squezze the ball till the gas is in other tank. As far as venting I am running a line from new tan to vent tube from existing and putting on "Y" adapter.

 

[BadMoJoe]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Rage, that sounds like a really good idea I think I might try something like that too.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Ok well, this is interesting. I'm still convinced carrying extra fuel is a good idea, I just need to know where to put the sucker! Of course I'm heeding Arks advice but there's gotta be a safe way. What do I do, hang it off the side??

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

rage....I'm just curious about how you are going to tie in the vent line to the outboard tank? And what happens when you take out the outboard tank to have it filled, how do you disconnect the vent line which is tied into your main tank vent and not have gas fumes all over? I think your on the right track if you really must have a spare can of gas but it probably should have it's own vent line to the outside. I still think a spare tank is an unnecessary risk if you plan trips accordingly and if you do run low you can run on one engine or lower speed to conserve fuel.