Refueling

[mr geets]

My pontoon has an onboard permanent fuel tank which I wanted. Refueling is a real pain if I use a jerry can. The fuel tank neck filler is mounted vertically on the left side rear fence area off the sun platform and I have a heck of a time adding fuel on or off the trailer (I won't refuel on the water if possible) Not sure why a horizontal filler neck is not a feature. Any ideas for easy fuel transfer from a jerry can?.

Just a side note, the 90 Merc efi 4 stroke gets much better fuel economy than I expected. It appears that I can go 95 miles +/- whereas our usual 20 miles in a day is max. After the first fill up (creates a heavy weight in the corner rear) and not using much fuel, I run 1/2 tank unless I am on a big lake or weather condition

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Refueling

That type of tank is meant to be filled at a fuel dock.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Refueling

My new Bennington also has a vertical fill neck which is a little high to lift a jerry can to fill from our dock. (The boat stays in a boathouse on a lift.)

I went to Tractor Supply Company (TSC) and bought a big galvanized funnel with a 1' long galvanized tube that flexes. I sawed the bottom of the tube off with a hacksaw. The tube is an exact fit for my filler neck.

Now, spillage is very minimal. The speed of fuel coming out my jerry can is the max that my filler neck will allow in.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Refueling

I also have the same setup to fill. It's high but I can reach it. Maybe you could get on board and fill from up from the top holding over the side ? Putting that much fuel in using a can, most are only 5gal. To me, that would be a lot of work. Id be plum worn out before I got to the water :lol:

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Refueling

I picked up a "Super Siphon" at a local market. I have also seen them online and have used it exclusively for the last 2 seasons. Gotta say I love it. Drains a 5 gallon (imperial)can in about 3 minute without any spills and no need to hold the can up for that length of time.

 

[mr geets]

Re: Refueling

Best idea I heard! Thanks.

 

[old jim]

Re: Refueling

Jeep Man, is your super siphon also called a jiggle siphon? I have a jiggle siphon, you
pump the siphon in and out of the gas can till the fluid starts flowing. old jim

 

[mpilot]

Re: Refueling

They have the jiggle siphons on sale at Harbor Freight from time to time. Got one with the larger tube (3/4 inch I think) that drains a 5 gallon can in about 2 minutes. Only paid 5.99 for it too...wish I would have gotten a couple when they were on sale last time.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Refueling

Jeep Man, is your super siphon also called a jiggle siphon? I have a jiggle siphon, you
pump the siphon in and out of the gas can till the fluid starts flowing. old jim

Looks like the same one Jim. I see that I can get a 1" model now. I have been eyeing one of those Fuel Caddies so I can wheel nearly a full tank out on the dock to the boat. A 1" jiggle siphon can transfer 10 gallons in a minute.

 

[rb8484]

Re: Refueling

I am only seeing 1/2". I would like to get one of these, but 3/4 or 1" would be awesome. Where are you guys finding the larger ones??

 

[old jim]

Re: Refueling

THem is slick gadets. Think mine is 3/4", sure beats trying to pour gas out
of one of the 5 gal. plastic tanks one has to use today. The fule caddies
look good in the catalogs and probably work great. old jim

rb8484, mpilot says he bought his siphon at Harbor Freight got mine off of
Amazon.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Refueling

My first fill up in the spring is at a gas station but then after that I fill 6 gallon boat cans. I use my tail gate as a lift to get me up to the top of the boat. I put the can on the highest point then I open the fill cover and stick a 3/4 inch vinyl hose into the tank from the can I have a squeezy ball in the hose to get the flow moving. I then cover both ends of the hose with a wet rag. This keeps the vapors in the can and the tank I never fill the tank in the direct sun light and I make sure the fuel is below 90 degrees. The lower the better. Most of the time I only use one can.