Refueling underways..risks?

[Gus Orviston]

So, before the boat came into our life, we pondered what it would take to get the current boat out for Tuna. And of course the thought on fuel how much to take,, etc.. Then I started thinking about the mental gymastics of it. Assuming even moderate waves, I don't think it would be fun to do. The gas cap on the 4Winns was on the stern starboard side. Not in and easy place. I thought geez... hold 5 Gallons, `40# of fuel over the edge, open a gas cap (to the only fuel source of the boat) near splashing water/waves... Oh my. I can see this going south in a hurry. If we were to try it, I was going suggest splicing a second filler cap inside the stand up area somewhere.

So... this been an issue for anybody, am I the only one who was stimmied by this thought.

gus

[Reel Creel]

Gus,
With a 130gal you should be ok all day unless you spend the night out there. Get a naveman gas gage that reads the amout your buring an hour. ask Pilar about fuling at sea he had a good one. nice boat.

[Scaup]

Trying to pour gas from a fuel can into a fuel tank at sea is probably a pretty daunting task on most boats. Ideally you want some sort of prerigged extra fuel cells like many on this board use, but on some smaller boats that may not be practical due to space.

The two solutions I have tried to eliminate trying to hold 40# of gas steady over the stern of the boat while pouring are a handheld jack rabbit pump (a lot of work) or siphoning (pretty easy). Siphoning works well if you can easily position your fuel can on a stable location above the fuel filler.

On my Arima I can set the 5 gallon can on the bait prep station which is directly above the fuel filler and siphon from the can into the tank. You can buy a commercial self starting 1 - 5 gallon per minute siphon or you can make your own siphon by cutting off the end of a squeeze bulb fuel line to eliminate the suck and spit ordeal.

One of the most important things is to continue to maneuver the boat so that waves cannot splash into the fuel filler, depending on the location of your filler.

I think refueling while under way is really a last resort option. I have practiced in fairly moderate seas so that I know that I can do it if I have to, but I have yet to actually come close to needing to refuel while underway given my boats range. But you never know, so I carry extra fuel just in case.

[Redbull]

I generally use the Chevron about fifty miles out and directly across from Depoe Bay. You know, the one by the semi-submerged container, the forty foot log, the wayward albatross.... I'll get the lat/lon.

Serious, I'm always more concerned about a big gulp of water getting down the hole dispite having a water seperator. It's usually flat enough it's not a big deal, but we also carry a little pump if it's too hard to hold the tank up.

There is a 60 foot custom built motor cat sitting in Portland right now waiting for a weather wind to make the run over to Hawaii. I think they carrying some obscene number like 40 additional containers of fuel (don't know how big - and a bladder system wasn't feasable.) They have been rehearsing some refueling protocol for the trip across. I don't know what the latest is. It's a very cool boat, with the HUGE twin Cats. 30 knots in lumpy seas in no problem. I can't wait to hear the stories.

J

[ 12-19-2003, 06:07 AM: Message edited by: Redbull ]

[Mello-Yello]

I'd advise against manually refueling while at sea. However, if you find yourself having to do it, I'd recommend siphoning before pouring. Most of you already know this, but there's a lot easier way to siphon than the 'suck-and-spit' method, and quicker than using siphon bulb.

Get yourself a length of 3/4" clear tubing. I recommend the clear so you can 'see' what's going on. Set your gas can firmly on your gunnel, transom, any place that's higher than your fuel tank (and pretty close too). Stick one end of your hose to the bottom of your gas can, then wrap a rag tightly around your hose where it enters the gas can and apply inward pressure. The idea here is to create a seal at the opening of the gas can. Next, blow into the other end of the hose, thus creating pressure in your gas can. Once you've got some pressure built in your can, put your thumb over the end of the hose and guide it into your gas filler tube. Remove your thumb and voila!, the pressure in your can will push gas through your hose. No gas in your mouth, and a 3/4" filler hose will move gas pretty darn fast.

Again, there are a lot better ways to refuel at sea, but if you 'have' to siphon, with only a couple tries, this method of siphoning is really very easy and shouldn't create any spillage.

Nor do you run the risk of ending up with gasoline running out your nose...don't ask me how I know this. Ack! :shocked:

$0.25

[Gus Orviston]

Great ideas. My biggest concern is that if you are relying on refueling you better think it through. Siphoning is a great idea, but exposing the gas filler tube to the elements needs to be thought out. I forgot about water separaters... but I surely wouldn't want to rely on it if a mistake was made. A dropped can might even be worse!!

Reel Creel, now with the Striper coming on duty I don't expect to be doing this at all, but it came up in our planning if we took out the FourWinns my brother presently runs w/ only 40Gallons of fun juice.

Joby....haven't you hitched a ride on that big boat?

What about the Ocean eqiv of AAA,,,really has anybody heard of this? I talked to somebody who has relied on getting refueled by such a service down south. Basically, Fuel and a tow at your request,, and up to 3 a year or something. Does this exist in Oregon/Washington?

gus

[Bait O' Eggs]

Gus - and here I thought you were always full of gas :tongue:

[Gus Orviston]

Becareful, that bait boy position you applied for on the Striper might get filled by a Gepeto's Chimp.

gus...off to a day of family planning, oh roy, I know you know all about that doctor's visit :shocked:

gus

[Sea Jypzee]

I frequently have refueled at sea with no problems or spillage. I have a 'blow start' siphon that I use when refueling. It has a long clear fuel tube that runs from the can to inside the fuel inlet on the boat. There is another seperate tube that connects to the siphon that you literally blow air into and it gets the siphon started. No sucking gas and no spillage whatsoever.

I got mine at Serven Marine in South Beach. If they don't have any in stock, it's well worth having them order one for you. Sits in a nice plastic bag out of the way in storage with no contamination of other gear on the boat.

Anyone who's gone on a tuna trip with me has seen it at work, and can tell how well it functions.

Remember to ALWAYS make sure the engine(s) is/are shut off before attempting to refuel, and blow out the bilge air before restarting.

[ 12-19-2003, 10:59 AM: Message edited by: Sea Jypzee ]

[Scaup]

Gus,

By on water AAA I assume you mean services like BoatTowUS, SeaTow, or Vessel Assist. That I know of none of these services operates on Oregon Coast, although I think one of them operates in Portland. My understanding is there is not enough business to make the enterprise profitable on the Oregon Coast.

In places where they do operate it is best to sign up for one of their services. Without going into all the details, they all vary slighty, but the average is around $100 per year for unlimited towing . They will also reimburse you for towing if you are towed by one of the other services.

The reason you want to sign up if one of these services operates in your area, besides the benefits, is that if you need assistance that is not a matter of life and death and call the Coast Guard, they will usually just turn you over to one of the commercial tow services. The Coast Guard is too busy in these areas to respond to non-life threatening calls like running out of gas or engine failure. The average towing charge is somewhere between $800-1000.

On the gas thing, if you run out of gas these services usually bring you fuel cans. So you're still stuck with refueling at sea from a fuel can to your boat.

[ 12-19-2003, 11:24 AM: Message edited by: Scaup ]

[id. painter]

I added a three way to my main line and can attach cans with just a snap fit on the end of the line and the cans... I have not needed it yet but I think its a good solution. id. painter

[Reel Creel]

id.painter has got the right idea with the three way clip, and a boat gas can you pick up at west marine, or what ever boat supply thats close. Then just run these cans or can dry then throw them under the bow out of the way and run on the main tank.just an idea? Im sure that you have seen these tanks. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Im pretty sure thats what pilar was talking about on this same topic, it sounds good i think. But what do i know?

[Reelentless]

What are the refueling laws in Oregon? I thought I read thats its illegal to pack fuel in to refuel at a marina. So its ok to pack it in and refuel at sea?

[Onokai]

I'm thinking like seasportdude. Don't you you need an attendent to fuel for you in Oregon?? I thought it was aganist the law to handle your own fuel. Better plan on taking someone from the local gas station along to handle the gas. Mark

ONOKAI