Carrying extra fuel?

[ooootis]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

i cant keep my .02$ outta this one. I dont see a safe way to carry a gas can plastic or metal on a boat without all kinds of complication fumes, securing it, and no one has mentioned ESD. Electrostatic discharge. No where to ground the can either plastic or metal on a wood or fiberglass boat, unless you go straight to the ground plate. I would not do it. This is why I have 214 gals between 2 tanks. Drowned once and got lucky. Fire scares me even more. OK I'm off the soap box.

 

[andy h]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

WOW since it looks like its not safe to have any "gas can plastic or metal" on a boat I am just going to have to get one of them fancy new boats that runs on water

 

[leafs]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

i have a old 74 14'trihull. i have 2 plastic gas tanks on board at the back were the battery is. when i run out i hook the gas line to the other tank.and it sounds that this is the wrong think to do?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

leafs...you're OK, you have an outboard, the tanks are vented and I'm sure you get fresh air in there but you don't really have anything to cause a spark (and then a boom).

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

well, wait a minute, are bilge pumps spark proof?<br />Ive run twin six gallon tanks my whole life, but with this new project with the 125 horse Johnson, the six gallon tanks will make it to the end of the dock (ok, just out of sight of the launch ramp, albeit at one hellluva clip!) I was thinking about putting twin side mounted 18 gallon tanks and sticking a 36 up in the bow, the fishing is fickle in delaware bay and you can run up and down that thing like a yo yo trying to get some fish in the box - that 125 is a heavy sucker, Im sure it will balance out the 36 gallon tank (plastic tank, and gas is lighter than water, by how much I dont know, but a pint is a pound the whole world round!) - and I would run off that tank anyway!<br /><br />come to think of it, the 35 drains the tanks down pretty quick when you get on it!

 

[rage]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Boatin Bob, that was an issue that originally puzzled me. However since the entire back deck will hinge and lift it is no longer a concern. Once the deck is up i will full access to the whole of engine compartment. But it is something that should be accounted for by anyone attempting this. Thanks for thinking it through for us.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

bump!!!

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

This still isn't answering my original question. I just don't trust the gas gauge. It reads 1/2 when I have less than 8 gallons in the tank, on a 33 gallon. <br /><br />Maybe I could keep a 3 gallon up front in the bow, and be sure the blower is on all the time?

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

if you keep track of your usage and your hours it doesn't take long to get a handle on fuel usage. i can normally tell to within 5% how many gallons i've used by looking at hour meter. whenever possible i won't carry jerry cans of gas in the boat. but several times a year for the last 20 or so years i do runs that exceed my onboard capacity times two or three. use quality, listed containers with a supply of extra gaskets and caps and be extra careful with bilge venting and don't overfill.

 

[ob1jeeper]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Chris in Va...<br />If the fuel storage device is not USCG approved, it is not only dangerous, it is quite simply... illegal on most all US water ways...<br /><br />Since it is obvious you feel the need for carrying spare fuel, I am going to suggest you not only do it safely, but legally. There are a HOST of manufacturers out there who build standard sized APPROVED tanks, that you SHOULD be able to find a place in your boat for. If not, there are a number of folks, who can construct for you a custom fit tank. In either event, it should be properly vented, with the filler neck placed such that you do not run the risk of spilling fuel internal to the boat, when refueling.<br /><br />Add a USCG approved manual switching valve to allow you to draw fuel from the tank of your choice ($45, at your local NAPA auto parts store) and voila!! You not only have the spare fuel you wanted, you've done it legally, and more importantly SAFELY.<br /><br />I did the same thing, for many of the same reasons you've stated... My whole set up, including all hoses, fittings, valves etc. cost approx. $150 (less than a single tow). It's approx. a 10 gal. unit, that I placed under a rear seat, where there used to be a small locker for storing ski ropes, a spare prop, etc. I had to modify the seat hinge/cover a bit, but it provides an enhanced level of "safety/comfort", that works for me. I added the fuel filler adjacent to the original, and put the switching valve in the engine compartment, so all I have to do is tilt the engine cover a little to reach in,and switch the valve.<br /><br />ALSO... at first I tried to put a tank in the bow, but learned a good lesson of why you should not do that... I'd suggest you try to put the spare tank, as far rearward as is practical, as the farther rear you go, the smoother the ride, and (as I found out)... since fuel has a tendency to want to vaporize at an accelerated rate when it is shaken, it will be much happier near the rear, and give you a WHOLE lot less venting hassles.<br /><br />Good Luck, Obiwan

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Why not jus put in a bigger gas tank or the biggest practicle size tank???? It all boils down to fuel management, whether you have a spare can or bigger tank.....

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

OB1Jeeper, that's quite the system you have there. As for installing a larger tank, the one on there now is pretty much permanent, and I'd have to dismantle half the boat to get at it.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Chris...if it's keeping track of your fuel usage that you want to do there are a few relatively easy to install systems, I think Navman and Flo Scan are a couple of names, these will allow you to see exactly how many gallons you have used and you reset them each time you fill up, would be a lot easier than a spare tank, safer plus you'll be able to see which speed gives you the most fuel efficiency.

 

[mikecjn]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

Chris in Va, I agree with OB as far as getting a marine rated tank. If you look at any boat catalog...boaters world, west marine, etc. They have portable fuel tanks and portable bladders. Nauta makes nice flexable tanks and Tempo makes nice tanks also. Yes you should watch your fuel usage but there are times that you do feel a little better knowing you do have a bit extra on board to make it home on. Just make sure it is approved for marine use. They are diffinitly more rugged that the Wally World specials but they are a lot safer.

 

[chris in va]

Re: Carrying extra fuel?

BoatinBob, I've looked at those fuel monitors and really think that would be a great thing to have. Minimum is around $150, but they'll probably be well worth the bucks. I even have one open space left on my dash just waiting for it...