Carrying extra fuel ?

Spoiled Daddy · 12-09-2003, 02:45 AM

I have the 17'9" SeaRunner. It only has the 21 gallon gas tank and I want to be able to add extra fuel capacity for runs to the Rock Pile out of Newport and for extra milage when we take the boat to Eastern Oregon and play on Brownlee Res.

I have a 3 gallon tank and hose that I carry extra fuel in as insurance when I run out into the ocean and I always make sure my main tank is topped off on those days. I carry it in the front bow hatch and it is strapped down via a tight bungy cord.

I have a couple of questions. Should I be carrying the extra gas in the bow where the tank is going to be much more likely to be banged around? Is there enough ventalation up front to allow any fumes to dissapate safely? Should I be carrying the extra fuel above board or possibly under the rear splash guard at the stern where it will breathe better and not get knocked around as much as it is in the bow? I have considered just getting an additional 3 gallon tank or two and putting them in the bow with the other. If there are other options, I would sure like to hear them.

Pulling the floor and having a larger tank is not an option because of budget concerns. Buying a new boat with a bigger tank is out for the same reasons and my loving wife would probably smack me for even thinking of it!

Your help on this is greatly appreciated! SD

Pilar · 12-09-2003, 07:17 AM

They sell the red plastic deck tanks at West Marine in several sizes from 6 to 29 gallons. Also Brad, Uglygreen has a 20 gallon chemical barrel/fuel tank conversion setup that works and takes up very little deck space.

Be careful of fuel tanks placed forward of the center of pitch. Anything in the bow will get slammed when you fall off the back side of a swell at 20 kts. Maybe hard enough to pop the tank.

Threemuch · 12-09-2003, 08:20 AM

My old Reinell had 12 in the back and 20 in the front, under the bow. It took some pounding, and it never broke. Tied down well, you doubt you can rupture a fuel tank with a fall that wouldn't rupture YOU. I would add tankage under the bow. How much are you thinking? 12 is EASY and CHEAP. You can get em online cheaper than West Marine.

[ 12-09-2003, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: Threemuch ]

Pilar · 12-09-2003, 02:11 PM

Kurt, it is accepted practice by boat manufacturers to avoid mounting fuel tanks forward of the center of pitch because of the force multiplying effects of the fuel slosh in the tank. For short term and temporary it would probably work.

One thing for sure, a deck tank is much better than a bunch of 5 gallon cans.

Finnlander · 12-09-2003, 02:46 PM

At least 90% of boats with fresh water tanks have bow tanks. Considering the relative weight of fuel vs water there does not seem to be any reason for not installing fuel in the bow ,ignoring its explosive characteristics.

Threemuch · 12-09-2003, 03:24 PM

I never had a huge problem with slosh in my old reinell. I agree fuel in the bow is not optimal, but I would give it a go. You could even rig up a gravity transfer system to your belly tank really easily.

backlash442 · 12-09-2003, 03:34 PM

First of all how do you like your Hewescraft? I'm looking at a Sportsman.

Doesn't your boat have an open bow? I wouldn't be to keen to take an open bow boat out on the ocean unless it was pancake flat and you weren't going far. Forget about swells if your boat has a tendency to bury the bow when it bottoms out.

As for carrying gas up at the bow I've seen a lot of boats do that down here. Try to use the spare fuel as soon as you've burned off enough to put it in the tank. A bladder would be ideal though.

Spoiled Daddy · 12-09-2003, 05:40 PM

Thanks guys. I was only talking about carrying an additional 9-12 gallons of gas. I just wanted to get away from 3-4 3 gallon tanks, which fit easily through the forward bow hatch and into the extra space this area provides. I was and am still concerned about the build up of fumes and the possible BOOM! factor this might have.

I will continue to look at different options, but I think I am going to lean towards putting something up in the open bow area and on top where there is better ventilation.

SD

edsr · 12-10-2003, 01:41 PM

SD - What John said - I mounted a bow tank of 12gal. in my dory with a fuel line running to the stern where it joins a "y" fitting and goes into the water separator. Each line has it's own valve so they can be operated alone or together. Because of the bow rise on a dory the tank was mounted un-level. It only delivered about 10 gal. and then began to suck air when running in a chop. After I leveled it up it still only delivers about 10 gal. but it doesn't suck air now. IMO - mount your tank. Pouring gas from cans in heavy water is not fun and is an unnecessary fix. Put the right sized tank in from the start.
edsr

salmurai · 12-10-2003, 08:14 PM

Spring for the extra built in tank. Gas is way too dangerous. If you think about what CAN :shocked: happen, the extra cost of the tank is cheap.

Nalu · 12-10-2003, 09:12 PM

FWIW- In my small RIB, I have two action packers in which I can put a rectangular 13 gallon Tempo fuel tank. I use a standard fuel line with disconnect on the tank end. I cut a hole in the end of the action packer to feed the fuel line through, and it is large enough that it also acts as a vent to prevent any fume buildup.

I cut a sheet of marine grade plywood to size, covered it with marine fabric, and mounted it to the lid of the action packer. In this way, it is basically a seat, or flat platform for other things.

The action packer can easily be strapped down to the deck, is unobtrusive, and for our small dive boat, works great as a seat.

This may or may not work for you, but where space is a premium, this is an option.

Sorry for the poor pic, but this was from a pic for something else.

Nalu

Pilar · 12-11-2003, 07:23 AM

There's two sides to big built in tanks. You can carry more fuel and avoid spilling fuel in the boat. If you keep your tank full to prevent condensation, you are always carrying extra fuel and the weight from it.

For small boats an auxillary tank is a good compromise. Use it when you run out to the fishing grounds on the long trips. Then stow the empty portable tank and use the main supply. On shorter trips leave the aux on the beach and the weight from the extra fuel too.

edsr · 12-11-2003, 12:23 PM

Again - What John said. I can leave the bow tank empty for short trips or use it first getting out, which is what we generally do. We use the main tank getting home. Even at that we have put gas into the main tank I try to make a habit of putting Stab-Bil in every tank of gas, a tip from the east coast boaters I know who have inboards and in-hull tanks.

Spoiled Daddy · 12-11-2003, 09:40 PM

Thanks to all. I now have a 6 gallon and two 3 gallon boat tanks with fittings that will fit nicely in the bow area of my boat. That should give me some peace of mind when running out further. I am going to shop for a 12 gallon tank that will fit in the bow that I can run a line to, but take out when I don't need it.

Now if I could just talk the mommy into a bigger boat...........

SD

Metal Manipulator · 12-11-2003, 11:22 PM

I'm in agrement with Salmurai on the saftey factor, and Pilar on the convience of the portable fuel tank. I have an external hose connection for my trolling motor so on the run out I connect my above deck tank into that. The Tempo tank holds 25 gal. and takes me right to the back door of the chicken ranch and then I store the empty up front out of the way.

Aqua-Holic · 12-12-2003, 04:37 PM

I'm curious as to why there is no mention of fuel bladders. Is it cost or a safety issue?

Mark Mc · 12-12-2003, 09:24 PM

Definitely a safety issue when my bladder is fuell.

Spoiled Daddy · 12-13-2003, 06:07 AM

We keep a bucket in the boat for the bladder problem.

I am having to keep in mind that my boat is only 18 feet long and I don't need to be roaming so far from home...
[img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]
SD

Miss B Haven · 12-13-2003, 07:59 AM

You can only use the flexible fuel bladders for diesel. They don't make them for Gas (none I've ever seen anyway). Hard cans/tanks for gasoline, that's why they aren't in this thread.
I believe Popeye got one for his big diesel Swordfish boat.

:grin:

Aqua-Holic · 12-13-2003, 10:10 AM

Miss B.........I've seen Bruces (I won't say it) and that's what raised the question. I did find a company who makes them for gas....a 50 gal bladder for about $360.00 and they will make special orders. My thought was....would it be feasible to get a few guys together and share one or two? My only question with this particular one is they only offer a 2yr warranty.

Mark.......once the gas is removed.......ummmmmm