fuel storage

[doug]

Just got an old hunter 25. Noticed most boats at marina have gas tank stored below, instead of in cockpit. How do they handle the venting problems? Any advice or links appreciated.

 

[Warren]

Gas Storage

While I no longer own a boat with a portable gas tank, my sense of how to store the tank is this: keep the tank in a separate, vented, compartment. Most portable tanks, i.e., for outboards, are not too leak proof and most need to be vented in order to work. Keeping such a tank inside the boat creates the possibility of volatile fumes getting into places inside your boat that are not properly vented and could be very dangerous. I'm not sure what year Hunter 25 you have, but if I recall correctly, many of the older ones had a very nice fuel storage compartment in a aft lazarette. Keep the gas there.

 

[Jim]

The aft locker is where I store my fuel in my h25. I've had only one fuel fume problem,and that was spillage,my own fault. I keep a six gallon/three gallon pair of tanks, polyethylene I think, and I am not afraid to spend a few bucks to replace them or their parts to avoid fumes in the boat. The locker airs out nicely, and I have found no need to add a blower. I am a former fireman, and I am quite aware of the dangers of gasoline vapors. Hope this helps Jim

 

[jcherubini]

Permanent gasoline tank below

I installed an 11-gallon ABS tank for gas under the cockpit of our H25. This solves the issue of having the stupid portable can in the locker (which was NEVER meant to be used in place BTW). I used the space vacated by the can to elongate the quarter berth so now both berths on that side are at least 6'3".The tank is mounted on a platform I made under the cockpit, directly aft of the bulkhead and immediately before the rudder post (when I say 'immediately', I mean it has to be persuaded into place). It is almost exactly on center and there is sufficient space above it for air circulation and inspecting through the little round port they give you with the tank. The vent gets let out to the cockpit coaming and the old water fill in the seat is now the fuel fill. I am still riddling out how to run the filler hose down to the tank to eliminate the possibility of it EVER falling off the tank and flooding the bilge with fuel. I will probably use CPVC pipe for most of it. In any event I will have to be careful to not overfill. An outboard simply does not burn fuel fast enough to safely clear any fuel left in the hose.The tank has a nice electric fuel-level gauge installed and waiting for me to hook up. I am also installing a blower and 3-inch flexible hose to the Dorade box at the back of the cockpit to eliminate vapours; even without an inboard combustion source this is a good idea.I'll have photos when I get it all looking pretty!JC 2