Is this a bad idea? Cut access port in fuel locker

[Mich222]

It is still snowing at the home port. BUT, we had the chance to get away and walk the docks, which took a little edge off the winter blues and gave a chance to think about spring projects. We saw an Oday 222 where the owner had cut a deck plate access through his aft starboard cockpit fuel locker, in order to change out his motor mount. The deck plate access transects to the lazarette airspace under the cockpit.

The good thing about the starboard aft access through the fuel locker is it protected from open cockpit environment, and is cosmetically hidden (i.e. won't see it when fuel locker is closed) AND it would allow convenient access for changing out motor mount and tightening starboard aft deck hardware and stanchions et al.

HOWEVER, I am wondering that even with deck plate closed that fuel vapors may leak into the lazarette. By design the fuel locker was designed to prevent vapors from entering the lazarette below. Cutting a deckplate in just voids that concept of blocking fuel vapors from entering the lazarette. The aft port lazarette is where the battery is located. The deckplate access in the fuel locker just seems like an opportunity for disaster.


How well do deck plates seal? Since I wouldn't need repeated access on an ongoing basis, could I use some type of non-permanent sealant to help ensure no vapor leakage to lazarette? At most, I would expect only one time per year access would be necessary.


Note- I do not plan to route my fuel line through the fuel locker through lazarette space and then through transom- as shown in the picture.

 

[tommays]

Well i could be wrong but Its not a fuel locker as small outboard sailboats did not really have then back then you would just store the tank there out of the sun and pull it out for each use

he seems to have done a wile e coyote move in drilling the hole so the tank can stay in the lazarette

 

[gpd955]

The deckplate access in the fuel locker just seems like an opportunity for disaster.

Yep. That which is watertight is not necessarily vapor-tight. Not sure if this applies but ABYC doesn't allow for batteries to be installed above or below a fuel tank. Even though this may not be direclty above the tank and may not technically be a violation, it probably would yield the same result if a vapor leak occurs. Would hate to be the guy sitting in that position when that happens!!

JMHO.

 

[kloudie1]

Can't be sure, but doesn't that space have a lot of open area at the bottom?? It should, according to ABYC.. that would let the heavier-than-air gasoline vapors out at the bottom and out the cockpit scuppers.. The vapor should never have a chance to build up to the level of the port. A properly installed port would be OK there, provided the bottom or lower side of the locker has open space for the vapor to flow out..

 

[tommays]

Again if you have a portable tank hiding in there its totally wrong and was never intended to be used like it is right now

 

[Mich222]

Thanks for the input. I have attached 2 pictures from the brochure that I interpretted to mean the cockpit starboard locker is designed for fuel storage (diagram states "tank locker"). The 3rd picture from my files of an actual 222 (not my boat) that shows the starboard locker is vented at the bottom.

That being said, Your posts responses convinced me that this just isn't a great idea. if vapors built up (say if vent was blocked by swim toy or similar), vapors could rise to level of deckplate and enter lazarette..... ??

 

[tommays]

My J24 was built the same way and yes you can store a portable tank there when its not in use

BUT it was not intended to enclose a portable tank with a fuel line running out to the outboard



Look at any current outboard sailboat with a fuel locker and you will see it is much different

 

[Ron20324]

People on bigger boats store their outboard's fuel can in the lazz, so what you are proposing is an improvement over that idea. The port in the picture looks somewhat large to be just accessing the motor mount bolts. I had a 222, and also recall the lower-front panel was open to allow venting. If you use a port with an O ring gasket, you should be well-sealed. I'd say go for it whenever the time comes that you need the access. There are also hatches you can buy at Home Depot meant to access plumbing and electrical wires, and may be even better sealed to the elements?

 

[Mich222]

Tommays:
I found a photo of the starboard fuel tank storage locker - showing the open area at the bottom of the locker. Now that you have seen a picture of the fuel tank locker, do you think there is adequate open space for the fuel tank to vent when using the outboard- when the locker lid is closed?? Please advise. Mich222

 

[catsailor]

I can't see as much from the pictures as I would like, but it seems to me...
* It isn't designed for use underway...
* But it could be.

If you investigate some installed tanks, I think you will see the differences:
* The vent must go outside the locker to a location where the fumes won't go back into the boat. This is a requirement for both marine and shore-side flamable liquid tanks.
* The tank must not be able to leak into the boat in a knock-down.
* The tank must be secured.
* The connection from the tank to the fuel hose cannot be a quick-release type. It must be double clamped.
* The hose must be of the proper type (outboard extention hose is not).
* Any vents into the cockpit are a VERY bad idea.

I'm sure there are things I have forgotten. I did a similar sort of conversion once, but I did dot all of the "I"s and cross the "T"s (pass survey and CG inspection). It was complicated, not simple, but well worth the effort to clear the cockpit.

 

[Mich222]

Thanks everyone. I asked one question and got an answer to two. I will change my practice to place outboard tank outside of tank locker while underway and won't be cutting any access holes in the tank locker. Thanks again. Mich222

 

[tommays]

While i dont think its all that dangerous in the locker i would not do it and would allways keep the tank on deck with a strap when in use

I Just had to spend a bunch of money of the Cal 29 to move the fuel fill as the orginal was on the cockpit floor and the survey guy did not care that it had been safe for 40 years

And now thats its done i am glad he made me as its much harder to get water in the tank and its much safer