I have an 87 H23 with a Force 9.9 outboard. The portable fuel tank is kept in the starboard cockpit storage cutout (what do you call that space, anyway) with the fuel hose snaking over to the OB. Now for my question. For those with a similar setup, once you are actually sailing and not puttering around with the OB, do you disconnect the fuel hose or leave it connected? I was sailing with a fried who has a much larger boat (a Tartan 41) and he was recommending disconnecting it. Another friend who was with us (who happens to own a stink potter) was arguing that you should always leave it connected in case you need the OB in an emergency. Talking with others, it seems to be split 50/50.
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Paul Akers
Leave connected
I used to have a Catalina 25 with an outboard and I always left it connected while underway. This was mainly for two reasons: 1. Quick deployment when needed. 2. The fuel connection remains waterproofed while sailing. If you disconnect it, you could get splashing onto the connector and potentially introduce seawater into the fuel system.
I used to have a Catalina 25 with an outboard and I always left it connected while underway. This was mainly for two reasons: 1. Quick deployment when needed. 2. The fuel connection remains waterproofed while sailing. If you disconnect it, you could get splashing onto the connector and potentially introduce seawater into the fuel system.
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R. Wheeler
Connected
I agree, I leave mine connected when I am sailing. However, I disconnect with the motor running when I put the boat into our slip and let the motor out any fuel in the system. The motor seems to start better this way, and there is less dripping in between uses.
I agree, I leave mine connected when I am sailing. However, I disconnect with the motor running when I put the boat into our slip and let the motor out any fuel in the system. The motor seems to start better this way, and there is less dripping in between uses.
Ask him why?
Joel: I would ask your friend why he recommends disconnecting. I agree that the fuel should be left attached. You never know when you may need to start the engine quickly (even though it would probably start from the fuel in the carb). and "what do you call that space, anyway" I may assume that you would call it a Lazarette. as defined "A storeroom near a vessel's stern".
Joel: I would ask your friend why he recommends disconnecting. I agree that the fuel should be left attached. You never know when you may need to start the engine quickly (even though it would probably start from the fuel in the carb). and "what do you call that space, anyway" I may assume that you would call it a Lazarette. as defined "A storeroom near a vessel's stern".
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Russ King
Connected
The other reasons stated are good. I would add that leaving the fuel line connected reduces the chance of fuel spills, and reduces the wear and tear on the coupling, (less likely to leak over time). Reduced fire hazard. I have also heard isolated stories about transom brackets failing, with the fuel hose being the only thing keeping the motor from dropping to the bottom of the lake. Haven't experienced it myself, but I always tie my motor to the boat.
The other reasons stated are good. I would add that leaving the fuel line connected reduces the chance of fuel spills, and reduces the wear and tear on the coupling, (less likely to leak over time). Reduced fire hazard. I have also heard isolated stories about transom brackets failing, with the fuel hose being the only thing keeping the motor from dropping to the bottom of the lake. Haven't experienced it myself, but I always tie my motor to the boat.
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Joe R
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Corky
ten years connected
I now own a Hunter 260 but sailed a McGregor 26 for ten years and always left it connecte while sailing. Never had a problem. I did disconnect on the Mc when leaving the boat for a while but that was so I could store the gas tank away so as not to lose it. With the Hunter it is secure so may leave it connected. Running my motor out of gas at the dock means more priming when starting next time. Corky
I now own a Hunter 260 but sailed a McGregor 26 for ten years and always left it connecte while sailing. Never had a problem. I did disconnect on the Mc when leaving the boat for a while but that was so I could store the gas tank away so as not to lose it. With the Hunter it is secure so may leave it connected. Running my motor out of gas at the dock means more priming when starting next time. Corky
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Corky
For ten years connected
I now own a Hunter 260 but sailed a McGregor 26 for ten years and always left it connecte while sailing. Never had a problem. I did disconnect on the Mc when leaving the boat for a while but that was so I could store the gas tank away so as not to lose it. With the Hunter it is secure so may leave it connected. Running my motor out of gas at the dock means more priming when starting next time. Corky
I now own a Hunter 260 but sailed a McGregor 26 for ten years and always left it connecte while sailing. Never had a problem. I did disconnect on the Mc when leaving the boat for a while but that was so I could store the gas tank away so as not to lose it. With the Hunter it is secure so may leave it connected. Running my motor out of gas at the dock means more priming when starting next time. Corky
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Mike
Fuel Line
I'm thinking of taking the gas tank, and making a storage bin for it under the port seat, in the storage area...it wouldn't be vented really anywhere though. At the minimum, I'm going to bolt on some eyes so I can bungee the gas tank to it's little starboard area. A rollover or knockdown will send the fuel tank everywhere - connected only by the fuel line ! Also, I will make a device which raises the rear (filler side) of the gas tank. That way, I can add a quart more gas without leaking. Also, I'm going to add another backstay, so instead of having one long stay to the mast, and two stays into a plate from the boat, the stays will go all the way down...a little bit of redundancy, so the mast will never fall down. Plus most H23's need a few inches more in back to correctly adjust rake. I was going to reaplce all the hull/deck screws with bolts, but I'm going with larger screws and 5200 instead.
I'm thinking of taking the gas tank, and making a storage bin for it under the port seat, in the storage area...it wouldn't be vented really anywhere though. At the minimum, I'm going to bolt on some eyes so I can bungee the gas tank to it's little starboard area. A rollover or knockdown will send the fuel tank everywhere - connected only by the fuel line ! Also, I will make a device which raises the rear (filler side) of the gas tank. That way, I can add a quart more gas without leaking. Also, I'm going to add another backstay, so instead of having one long stay to the mast, and two stays into a plate from the boat, the stays will go all the way down...a little bit of redundancy, so the mast will never fall down. Plus most H23's need a few inches more in back to correctly adjust rake. I was going to reaplce all the hull/deck screws with bolts, but I'm going with larger screws and 5200 instead.
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Mark
Disconnect at Berth
I disconnect my fuel line only when I leave my boat at it's mooring. Another local H23 owner had his OB stolen a few years back and in the process the theives cut the fuel line and pushed the end back into the boat. The complete contents of his 3 gal fuel tank then siphoned down into the bildge creating a awful mess to clean up. This is the only reason I can see the need to disconnect your fuel line. Mark Skippin School, 87H23
I disconnect my fuel line only when I leave my boat at it's mooring. Another local H23 owner had his OB stolen a few years back and in the process the theives cut the fuel line and pushed the end back into the boat. The complete contents of his 3 gal fuel tank then siphoned down into the bildge creating a awful mess to clean up. This is the only reason I can see the need to disconnect your fuel line. Mark Skippin School, 87H23
Disconnect only after securely docked
You never know when you may need to fire up your iron wind. Once I am docked, I disconnect the fuel line at the tank end and let the engine continue running until it shuts off by itself from lack of fuel. Then I disconnect from the engine. The fuel line stays on board, wrapped in an old T-shirt and stuffed into the back of the port cockpit locker. I usually take the tank with me, for security reasons (most thefts are crimes of opportunity) and so that I can remember to refill it. I was advised never to buy marina gas and to always buy a name brand mid-octane grade fuel. By the way, my outboard is locked to the motor mount with one of those sliding padlocks. Peter S/V Raven
You never know when you may need to fire up your iron wind. Once I am docked, I disconnect the fuel line at the tank end and let the engine continue running until it shuts off by itself from lack of fuel. Then I disconnect from the engine. The fuel line stays on board, wrapped in an old T-shirt and stuffed into the back of the port cockpit locker. I usually take the tank with me, for security reasons (most thefts are crimes of opportunity) and so that I can remember to refill it. I was advised never to buy marina gas and to always buy a name brand mid-octane grade fuel. By the way, my outboard is locked to the motor mount with one of those sliding padlocks. Peter S/V Raven
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Rick Webb
Disconect at dock
I leave mine connected whenever I am away from the dock. Once when we sailed out of the slip I needed the motor to get out of the way of a barge and was a bit franticgetting th hose out of the locker connected to the engine, primed and started. Now I always start the motor in the slip even if I am going to sail out of the slip. When I return to the slip I disconnect the line at the tank and run it dry. The hose and tank are then locked in the locker. I figure this would keep someone from motoring off with my boat as easily.
I leave mine connected whenever I am away from the dock. Once when we sailed out of the slip I needed the motor to get out of the way of a barge and was a bit franticgetting th hose out of the locker connected to the engine, primed and started. Now I always start the motor in the slip even if I am going to sail out of the slip. When I return to the slip I disconnect the line at the tank and run it dry. The hose and tank are then locked in the locker. I figure this would keep someone from motoring off with my boat as easily.
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