I previously asked this question as a response to another question, so I'll ask it here for everyone to see. I'm installing a Tempo 12 gal gas tank below my cockpit in my O'Day 25. It is mounted in a wooden frame that is bolted to the 2 fiberglass rails that add support to the bottom of the hull. The tank is strapped down with webbing. The fill is mounted on the deck of the cockpit seat. The tank is vented through the hull near the 9.9 Johnson longshaft outboard. The fuel supply line passes through the hull with a brass adapter. The bulb will be in the line between the hull and the engine. See any problems before I start drilling?
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I agree, Put it in.
Ric, I was going to do this but changed my mind. When I was thinking about it , I was going to mount the gas tank where the water tank is and move the water tank to the vee berth. Again I have not yet sailed my boat. My worry is that I am loading up the stern and have no compensation at the bow. My last boat had the water tank in the bow and it sailed better with a full water tank. It was a Paceship 23 which was designed by Hunt also. The shape and lines are the very similar and that was one of the reasons I bought the 25 O'Day without sailing it. I have decided to put the gas tank in the cockpit, leave the water tank and put a storage platform under the vee berth. I will store my spare anchor and anchor chain under the vee berth and if need be some other extra weight. r.w.landau
Ric, I was going to do this but changed my mind. When I was thinking about it , I was going to mount the gas tank where the water tank is and move the water tank to the vee berth. Again I have not yet sailed my boat. My worry is that I am loading up the stern and have no compensation at the bow. My last boat had the water tank in the bow and it sailed better with a full water tank. It was a Paceship 23 which was designed by Hunt also. The shape and lines are the very similar and that was one of the reasons I bought the 25 O'Day without sailing it. I have decided to put the gas tank in the cockpit, leave the water tank and put a storage platform under the vee berth. I will store my spare anchor and anchor chain under the vee berth and if need be some other extra weight. r.w.landau
Gas down below there/There she blows
Ric--I've had my 76 OD25 since new and we cruise all over Long Island Sound. My own philosophy is to drill as few holes through the deck/hull/bottom as possible. I also have a Johnson 9.9 on the back end, and find for most needs the new plastic 6-gal. OMC tank (not Tempo)in the cockpit works well and provides the best margin of safety, being as I like to store gas outside. (Although I would admit the tank sometimes gets in the way.) But, of paramount consideration is safety and that any possible fuel spills or leaks will clearly vent and drain overboard thru the large scupper at the stern. In my own experience, I've had the old metal tanks rust along the bottom seam and on a hot day spill pressurized gas all over. I'll never use them again. That's why I'm sold on the new OEM plastic tank by OMC. It has fewer fittings and is the best made on the market. Fewer fittings translates to less going wrong.....remember Murphy's Law? When we cruise we take a second tank along, nestled next to and tied to the first to prevent movement in rough weather. This is because you can do a lot of motoring in the summer on the Sound to get from one port to another. Otherwise, a single tank does it fine for weekending. In addition, consider the lack of that extra bilge storage (of which you can never have enough), due to a hard-mounted tank down there. Not to mention problems accessing gudgeon bolts, wiring, the scupper hose, etc. Finally, I believe according to both commonsense and USCG regs you'll need to install a full bilge blower system with inlet and outlet vents on the side of the hull thru the side of the deck cap with their hoses extending into the bilge bottom, which takes up further space and allows for additional battery drawdown, which further means you should think of installing a second battery. Now you've really compromised your stowage space in the bilge. Sorry for being negative or overly cautious about it!! So I'd vote and counsel against the below-decks gas.
Ric--I've had my 76 OD25 since new and we cruise all over Long Island Sound. My own philosophy is to drill as few holes through the deck/hull/bottom as possible. I also have a Johnson 9.9 on the back end, and find for most needs the new plastic 6-gal. OMC tank (not Tempo)in the cockpit works well and provides the best margin of safety, being as I like to store gas outside. (Although I would admit the tank sometimes gets in the way.) But, of paramount consideration is safety and that any possible fuel spills or leaks will clearly vent and drain overboard thru the large scupper at the stern. In my own experience, I've had the old metal tanks rust along the bottom seam and on a hot day spill pressurized gas all over. I'll never use them again. That's why I'm sold on the new OEM plastic tank by OMC. It has fewer fittings and is the best made on the market. Fewer fittings translates to less going wrong.....remember Murphy's Law? When we cruise we take a second tank along, nestled next to and tied to the first to prevent movement in rough weather. This is because you can do a lot of motoring in the summer on the Sound to get from one port to another. Otherwise, a single tank does it fine for weekending. In addition, consider the lack of that extra bilge storage (of which you can never have enough), due to a hard-mounted tank down there. Not to mention problems accessing gudgeon bolts, wiring, the scupper hose, etc. Finally, I believe according to both commonsense and USCG regs you'll need to install a full bilge blower system with inlet and outlet vents on the side of the hull thru the side of the deck cap with their hoses extending into the bilge bottom, which takes up further space and allows for additional battery drawdown, which further means you should think of installing a second battery. Now you've really compromised your stowage space in the bilge. Sorry for being negative or overly cautious about it!! So I'd vote and counsel against the below-decks gas.
I have a system exactly like you propose.
Ric My 25 has a 12g fuel tank set up exactly as you describe. My opinion is that if you do it right it will be less dangerous than having the tank in the cockpit. I do have a blower installed but from a practical perspective I don't think it is necessary (to comply with regs it probably is). The system below deck is completely sealed and vented to the outside and the main source of ingition (the motor) is on the outside). There is absolutely no smell of gas below deck. I can send you photos if that would help. If I were you I would put the fill on top of the gunnel rather than on the seat. Jim
Ric My 25 has a 12g fuel tank set up exactly as you describe. My opinion is that if you do it right it will be less dangerous than having the tank in the cockpit. I do have a blower installed but from a practical perspective I don't think it is necessary (to comply with regs it probably is). The system below deck is completely sealed and vented to the outside and the main source of ingition (the motor) is on the outside). There is absolutely no smell of gas below deck. I can send you photos if that would help. If I were you I would put the fill on top of the gunnel rather than on the seat. Jim
Thanks for the Help Guys
Bless this web site. It really helps. Some feedback to the helpers: 1. The tank is a low (7" high) plastic tank mounted next to the water tank. It is completely accessable and easy to inspect. It comes with an electric, instrument panel mounted guage. 2. I also was concerned about the "adding of ballast" to the stern, but I think 6 gal for fuel in the cockpit will have a more degrading affect on sailing response than 8-10 gal 12" 16" below, lower and more forward. I do agree that the boat should be balanced and I will stow heavey items forward to counter act this affect. 3. Checked with the insurer, they never knew that the tank was out before, so they have no problem below. It will be important to follow the USCG regs, just in case. Question: Since my boat is pre 1980, not requireing a power ventalator, can I just install a passive system, or is power the way to go? 4. Grounding? Should the metal fill cap system be grounded to the neg terminal of the batery? The guage on the tank grounds the tank, eventhough it is plastic and the fill hose rubber. 5. Loop in the vent line. Great idea. Jim, Photos would be great if you have them. Send to nccgm@aol.com. By they way, I am running with this and will photo and document the process and post for all to see (many other projects too that will be posted). Thanks again to everyone. Ric
Bless this web site. It really helps. Some feedback to the helpers: 1. The tank is a low (7" high) plastic tank mounted next to the water tank. It is completely accessable and easy to inspect. It comes with an electric, instrument panel mounted guage. 2. I also was concerned about the "adding of ballast" to the stern, but I think 6 gal for fuel in the cockpit will have a more degrading affect on sailing response than 8-10 gal 12" 16" below, lower and more forward. I do agree that the boat should be balanced and I will stow heavey items forward to counter act this affect. 3. Checked with the insurer, they never knew that the tank was out before, so they have no problem below. It will be important to follow the USCG regs, just in case. Question: Since my boat is pre 1980, not requireing a power ventalator, can I just install a passive system, or is power the way to go? 4. Grounding? Should the metal fill cap system be grounded to the neg terminal of the batery? The guage on the tank grounds the tank, eventhough it is plastic and the fill hose rubber. 5. Loop in the vent line. Great idea. Jim, Photos would be great if you have them. Send to nccgm@aol.com. By they way, I am running with this and will photo and document the process and post for all to see (many other projects too that will be posted). Thanks again to everyone. Ric
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