I took my O'Day 25 on its first overnight trip this weekend and noticed how easily gas fumes can get into the cabin. About half-way into the first leg of my trip I moved the fuel can abovedecks to the cockpit, which I know is recommended anyway. The fumes in the cabin were actually worse at the end of the day, possibly from a small fuel spill from the spare can beneath the cockpit. Setting aside issues of fuel handling, I'm curious if: a) any other O'Day 25 owners have walled off the large opening between the quarterberth and the storage area beneath the cockpit, (b) if so did it help, and c) are there any other recommended fixes like installing extra vents to the outside?
- Status
Me to
I had a little problem a few days before I launched the boat. I put the gas can below the cockpit and the fuel hose came off the tank and some ran into the bilge. Boy what a stink. The boat is now on the mooring and the other day I left the vent open on the gas tank and I could smell it a little and the opening to the storage area is that at the port birth. That is walled off. Isn’t it the way they all are?
I had a little problem a few days before I launched the boat. I put the gas can below the cockpit and the fuel hose came off the tank and some ran into the bilge. Boy what a stink. The boat is now on the mooring and the other day I left the vent open on the gas tank and I could smell it a little and the opening to the storage area is that at the port birth. That is walled off. Isn’t it the way they all are?
That wall is not air tight.
I would recommend building a box in the cockit for the gas tank. I had to do that on my "78" O'day 25. The other option is a permanant tank with a vent and bilge blower. In "79" the cockpit is designed with a place for the gas tank but it cuts into the stern portion of the Quarter berth. r.w.landau
I would recommend building a box in the cockit for the gas tank. I had to do that on my "78" O'day 25. The other option is a permanant tank with a vent and bilge blower. In "79" the cockpit is designed with a place for the gas tank but it cuts into the stern portion of the Quarter berth. r.w.landau
'76 O'Day 25
I have a 1976 O'Day 25, and I've been all over the inside of it, both inside the "storage area" under the access by the lazerette cover, and inside the cabin. That bulkhead seperating the cabin from the stern storage area (under the cockpit) is simply not airtight. You would have to do some major rebuilds to make it work the way you're talking about. My recommendation would be to build a gas tank in the cockpit, and NEVER store gasoline anywhere belowe decks. I made the mistake of doing differently a long time ago, and am still believing that it's only luck that kept the boat from blowing up.
I have a 1976 O'Day 25, and I've been all over the inside of it, both inside the "storage area" under the access by the lazerette cover, and inside the cabin. That bulkhead seperating the cabin from the stern storage area (under the cockpit) is simply not airtight. You would have to do some major rebuilds to make it work the way you're talking about. My recommendation would be to build a gas tank in the cockpit, and NEVER store gasoline anywhere belowe decks. I made the mistake of doing differently a long time ago, and am still believing that it's only luck that kept the boat from blowing up.
Whyt take a chance
I'm with Herb and R.W. on this one. It only takes a leaking hose or a spill combined with a spark! I built a box in the cockpit. (from designs on this site) It holds my fuel tank as well as propane canisters. The fuel line comes out by the seat drain, so I did not have to drill any holes in fiberglass or wood. It also provides extra seating.
I'm with Herb and R.W. on this one. It only takes a leaking hose or a spill combined with a spark! I built a box in the cockpit. (from designs on this site) It holds my fuel tank as well as propane canisters. The fuel line comes out by the seat drain, so I did not have to drill any holes in fiberglass or wood. It also provides extra seating.
Cockpit Box
Yeah, I'm convinced now that a cockpit box is the way to go. I just wonder how I'll store spare fuel cans on longer trips. Maybe a locker box beneath the cockpit would at least protect them from a stray battery spark.
Yeah, I'm convinced now that a cockpit box is the way to go. I just wonder how I'll store spare fuel cans on longer trips. Maybe a locker box beneath the cockpit would at least protect them from a stray battery spark.
My ICW Trip
When I took a trip down the Texas ICW (which was when I discovered the problem storing fuel in the lazerette), I strapped the extra fuel cans to the bow rails. Looked ugly, but did the job I needed it to do.
When I took a trip down the Texas ICW (which was when I discovered the problem storing fuel in the lazerette), I strapped the extra fuel cans to the bow rails. Looked ugly, but did the job I needed it to do.
- Status