Gas Storsge
I just faced this same problem on my trip to Lake Powell. I stored a six gallon tank in my lazerette and one on the floor of the cockpit. I also hung two more gas tanks from the lifelines, a veritable bomb. Gasoline vapors are extremely hazardous, but manageable if you are very careful. The bilge pump motors do scare me but here is what I do: Select only gas storage devices (tanks, cans etc) that can be closed tightly. I mean caps and vents that can be positively closed. After filling, close the caps very tightly and clean off any residue, allow the sun to dry any loose fuel. Get sturdy plastic bags and wrap the tank you will put in the lazerette, and stow it so it cannot be moved around due to heeling or whatever. Only fill the tank to a point that leaves the fill mouth and vent well above the liquid line. Use your nose. Sniff the lazerette area before actuating any kind of flame or electrical device that may be a source of ignition. Immediately deal with any spills. I don't smoke cigarettes so my nose is very sensitive to smells like gasoline, I don't have an airtight seal between the lazerette and the cabin. If I experienced a liquid leak I would sense it immediately. Creating an airtight compartment with the possibility of a fuel spill in it will require a venting system and compliance with US Coast Guard Regs. As a child and a young man, I had a very cavalier attitude about gasoline. I even used to use it to wash grease off of my hands. One day, I saw a boat in Mission Bay, San Diego, that had blown up at the fuel dock due to ignition of vapors. I have been very careful about it ever since. John S Boise (who's afraid of hydrogen powered cars?)
