Gas tank location options ODay 20

[DanaT]

In the ODay 20 I recently bought the portable gas tank was sitting at the transom in the cockpit. The cockpit is already pretty small and having the gas tank right there in the open doesn't appeal to me. It seems the most advantageous placement would be under the starboard seating, accessible thru the only seating hatch in the cockpit. I don't see any thru-hull that would allow the fuel line to the outboard. I suppose I could put that in, along with a vent.
My old Mariner had a rear deck about 1.5' deep, open to the cockpit, where the tank sat on a wood floor. Out of the way but accessible.
I've seen a picture of a boat like mine where the owner made a piece of plywood that spanned the width of the cockpit bridging the aft of the seats. I suppose this is a option, but it also cuts down a lot on a already small cockpit.
Does my idea of storing under the closed in seat sound reasonable?

 

[ebsail]

I don't think there is any problem with the tank in the locker, IF you introduce plenty of venting, and there are no wires in it, and the venting and entrance hole for the fuel line will not allow water into the boat. And my 25 has just such a dedicated locker for the fuel tank. On the other hand, just drop some antiskid under the tank which is against the transom and leave it there. No one sits under the tiller so it doesn't really take up any useful room. Well-maybe when at anchor and the tiller is up vertically.

 

[Brian S]

Remember that gasoline is highly volatile, gasoline fumes are heavier than air, and highly explosive. If you don't have the tank in a locker sealed from the inside of the boat, with ventilation outside, there is significant explosion risk. Power boats with built in gas tanks (such as inboard/outboard motors, or inboards) all have blowers installed in the motor compartment, and the blower must be run for several minutes before trying to start the motor, to prevent explosions.

Not sure what the lockers look like on the O'day 20. On my much later designed 192, there is a fuel locker on the starboard side, which is open to the cockpit, and completely sealed off from the interior. On my port side, the lazarette goes down into the cabin, and it completely open to the cabin under the cockpit sole. I would NOT put a gasoline tank down in this lazarette.

Boats like the old Com-Pac 19 had a removable cover that sat between the seats up against the transom, and the fuel tank was under that. I've seen other people's boat like the West Wight Potter 19, who have built cabinets over the fuel tank in this location, and added nice features like cup holders, binocular/VHF holders, etc. This space is fairly wasted while you're sailing, because the tiller comes in over the cockpit here. I know that even at anchor, I seldom sit so far aft with my feet in the cockpit. Your mileage may vary, for sure!

 

[Sunbird22358]

If you were to put the portable tank in that cockpit seat locker that is open to the whole interior of the boat.... ad any fire ignited, I would expect that your insurance would refuse payment on your claim due to your failure to comply with USCG (and common sense) regulations that portable tanks NOT be stowed below deck. They MUST be in a ventilated, or totally open to the outside compartment, separate from the interior of the boat.
The boats with permanent tanks, like most inboards, the tanks themselves are required to be vented directly overboard and filled through a deck fill, designed so that any spills will be directed overboard.
If an USCGAUX or US Power Squadron Vessel Examiner were checking your boat for a VSC (Vessel Safety Check) you would not receive a passing Decal with the portable tank stowed below decks, worse if you were boarded by the USCG or other law enforcement, they would likely cite you for an "unsafe" fuel system.

There used to be a great aftermarket fuel tank locker sold that could be mounted In a cut-out in the side of the cockpit seat riser, came either with or without a cover for the open side. Alas, no longer made. (see scanned pics below) However, if I had an O'DAY 20 or older 22, 23, or 25..... I would add virtually that same thing, just "home-made". It would be easy to construct a box big enough for the tank, glass the inside and then cut a lid in the seat top and seal that box to the inside of the cockpit seat top and riser. Would be a home-made version of what O'DAY built into Brian S's 192. Cut a slot in the cockpit riser to allow fumes and spillage to drain into the cockpit footwell, that would also let you lead the fuel line out to the motor. Or, just make a shelf that holds the tank up off the sole at the aft end of the cockpit (under the tiller) and make a plywood cover that securely covers the tank (with gaps to allow ventilation), yes, it does take up room in the cockpit..... but it will be the easiest way to provide safe stowage out of the elements for your tank. We did that on our old CAL 21, I would have preferred the built-in box idea, but my Dad, as primary owner preferred the enclosing of the aft end of the cockpit better.
I have included a pic of the locker on a 22 as well as 2 pics of the locker we built for our CAL 21, on our locker the 3" deckplate near the aft corner was to lead the fuel line out of the compartment.