fuel storage

fuel storage

Postby jolabeach » Sat Dec 19, 2015 4:57 pm

hi all have an outboard mounted in a well would like to know what other member do in regards to the portable external fuel tank whilst sailing and its storage.is it ok to place it in the cockpit locker . bit worried about flumes if any collecting in the bilge. would appreciate your thoughts or ideas. the tanks is of 12 ltre capacity cheers and merry xmas.
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Troppo » Sat Dec 19, 2015 5:32 pm

Hey Jolabeach, good questions as petrol can be so dangerous.

I tie down my fuel tank to the side. Even if the water seems calm when I am about to set out, I still throw some loops of rope about the tank (or both if using both) to make sure they can't go anywhere.

fuel tank 2.jpg
fuel tank 2.jpg (537.47 KiB) Viewed 3776 times


When I bought Windchaser, she carried her fuel tank in the cockpit locker. The previous owner may have even used the tank from there. The locker also carried drums of spare fuel. The problem for me was I was very nervous about fuel in the locker. The locker also had the battery in it and the solar panel regulator. When I lowered the outboard into the well, I had to connect up the electric start cables inside the locker. Putting cables on and off a battery can cause sparks and maybe also the regulator might.

So, I was not happy with the possibility of sparks being created in a locker which carried so much fuel. The battery is now under the cockpit floor in the cabin with the solar regulator. I still carry fuel in the locker. Sometimes I carry fuel inside the cabin.

I ALWAYS use my nose to carefully check if any fumes in the cockpit locker. If any fumes at all, I find the reason and let the locker air out. The only time I have smelt some fumes is when I have forgotten to tighten the little breather caps or something. If I smell any fuel in the cabin, I check it out immediately. The containers I use are good ones and I don't smell fumes from them unless not done up properly. I personally don't think fumes will collect since the containers should not be leaking and if they do you should smell it pretty quick. Different matter if you have a built-in tank with tubing as a little leak somewhere may drip fuel which ends up in the bilge.

So far, I have not had any problems.

troppo.
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Re: fuel storage

Postby woodsy » Sat Dec 19, 2015 8:01 pm

G'day Jolabeach. My outboard is mounted on the transom. This leaves me room to place a small petrol tank underneath it on the cockpit floor. Hold down straps are a good idea but I have not gone offshore yet & so have not installed them.
The previous owner had a fibreglass tank, form fitted inside the port locker, with a breather vent leading outside & up one of the aft stays . A fuel connection point to the outboard was on the exterior of the locker.
I may reinstall the fitted tank but the current setup is fine for now. The battery locker was on the starboard side so sparks would not have been a major problem unless fuel leaked into the bilge where some lead connections could possibly spark.
Cheers.
Woodsy
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Shaun » Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:27 am

Hi jolabeach,
My outboard is on the transom, with a 12lt on the rear of the port seat and strapped down to the stanchions, same set-up as Troppo.Had no problems with this set-up.
I have been known to store plastic jerry cans of petrol in the cockpit locker, but I don't like this & will find somewhere else to store it, like strapped to a stanchion on deck.
cheers
Camden Haven River,
Mid Nth Coast, NSW

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Re: fuel storage

Postby jolabeach » Sun Dec 20, 2015 1:07 pm

thanks for the ideas. I was thinking of moving the battery and any thing that might cause a spark into the cabin like you have troppo. also toying with the idea of making an enclosed vented space at the rear of the port side cockpit but that would mean cutting out a section of the cockpit seat top and making up a drop in box.But thats a lot of work maybe it will ok after i move the battery to place the fuel tank in the cockpit locker as is after all the tank is sealed and the locker on my boat is ventered. rob
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Miker » Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:44 pm

I've had Dulcamara since 2009, the outboard is on a lift on the transom. The fuel tank is inside the port locker, as is the spare 9lt fuel drum. When I questioned the original owner about this set up, his response was that if the fuel tank is secure and does not leak, then it is only vapour that will get to the bilge. If you close the vent on the cap, then there is no vapour to escape, or at least not enough to worry about. There are no sparks as the outboard is pull start, the battery is on the starboard side near the companionway, a good two metres from the fuel, and almost a metre above the bottom of the bilge. When I had the boat surveyed, the surveyor said the set up was suitable and should be safe, well, as safe as one can be with petrol on board.

According to him, the boat has been set up that way since before he owned it, with the exception of the transom mount.

First thing I always do before starting up is to open the cabin and check for a petrol smell, there's never been one.

Perhaps I should be concerned, got me thinking now......... :?:
Michael
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Troppo » Mon Dec 21, 2015 9:01 pm

Michael, I think your setup sounds safe. Any sparky things are away from where the fuel sits. You check for the smell of fuel and have not found fuel leaking. Sounds like it is ok to me, not that I am an expert.

Louis
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Miker » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:56 am

Troppo wrote:Michael, I think your setup sounds safe. Any sparky things are away from where the fuel sits. You check for the smell of fuel and have not found fuel leaking. Sounds like it is ok to me, not that I am an expert.

Louis


Thanks Louis, I think it's OK. After all, like anything, if you take care and keep a check on things and be responsible for your own safety things should usually work out OK.

Merry Christmas!
Michael
"Dulcamara" - MKIII
Careel Bay, Pittwater
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Re: fuel storage

Postby Tales » Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:46 pm

The problem is when a spill occurs.
Could be from the tank, line or a filling accident.
The standards for fuel systems are pretty much the same as for LPG for the same reason. They tend to be heavier than air.
The fumes and or liquid fuel need to be able to drain over board.
Cheers,
Tom
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