My family and I are planning two relatively (for us) long sails of about 35 miles each with a stop at a deserted island in between. I like to have enough gas to motor if necessary, but only have a six gallon tank. My question is this- What is the best way to carry extra gas? My thought was to carry about 4 gallons in a five gallon jerry-can under the v-berth. Does this sound dangerous? Maybe a silly question, but our old boat had a 15 gal. tank and a very deep lazarette, and I want to be safe. Thanks in advance for any shared opinions! Happy sailing...
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Rick Engel
extra gas
Gerard: Because its dangerous and messy, I would not want to put the gasoline in the cabin. In fact, it may even be illegal. What about attaching the can on deck, or in the cockpit container or even down by your motor? I've also thought that it might be possible to install a larger gas can, or stand the current one on its side,
Gerard: Because its dangerous and messy, I would not want to put the gasoline in the cabin. In fact, it may even be illegal. What about attaching the can on deck, or in the cockpit container or even down by your motor? I've also thought that it might be possible to install a larger gas can, or stand the current one on its side,
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Paul Akers
Dinghy?
Are you towing a dinghy? I always keep any extra fuel (gas, diesel) in the dinghy. Also, if your destination has fuel docks/gas station, plan on topping off there for the return trip. This may eliminate the amount of gas you have to carry. But, please, please, do not store gas in the cabin. It could be lethal.
Are you towing a dinghy? I always keep any extra fuel (gas, diesel) in the dinghy. Also, if your destination has fuel docks/gas station, plan on topping off there for the return trip. This may eliminate the amount of gas you have to carry. But, please, please, do not store gas in the cabin. It could be lethal.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Nooooo!! NEVER carry gas in the cabin!!!
Nor in any enclosed space, including cockpit lazarettes. Gas fumes migrate to the lowest point in the boat anyway...the LAST thing you want to do is give 'em a head start in that direction by storing gas below decks. Strap jerry cans to the OUTSIDE of the hull...lash 'em to rail stanchions, on the swim platform, wherever you can secure them. But never inside the boat!! Calculate the maximum fuel you'd need to motor both directions if necessary (based on distance and average motoring mph @ average rpms), then add 20% margin for headwinds, current etc. and carry ONLY as much as you'll need.
Nor in any enclosed space, including cockpit lazarettes. Gas fumes migrate to the lowest point in the boat anyway...the LAST thing you want to do is give 'em a head start in that direction by storing gas below decks. Strap jerry cans to the OUTSIDE of the hull...lash 'em to rail stanchions, on the swim platform, wherever you can secure them. But never inside the boat!! Calculate the maximum fuel you'd need to motor both directions if necessary (based on distance and average motoring mph @ average rpms), then add 20% margin for headwinds, current etc. and carry ONLY as much as you'll need.
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Tom Hultberg
I have a 6 gallon tank also...
and a 8 hp Tacuma(?) motor. I sail every weekend and at the 6 gallons usually lasts from May 1 to pull out on Oct. 1. These small outboards can go along way on a gallon of gas. I wouldn't carry more than an extra couple of gallons. I would think that you could carry it in the open hole in front of the motor mount. Just make sure that you keep the vent open for expansion, where ever you keep it.
and a 8 hp Tacuma(?) motor. I sail every weekend and at the 6 gallons usually lasts from May 1 to pull out on Oct. 1. These small outboards can go along way on a gallon of gas. I wouldn't carry more than an extra couple of gallons. I would think that you could carry it in the open hole in front of the motor mount. Just make sure that you keep the vent open for expansion, where ever you keep it.
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Ron
2.5 Gallon Cans
On long trips, I have carried two 2.5 gallons containers in the cockpit storage area under the seat. I have a H26 andit has always worked for me.
On long trips, I have carried two 2.5 gallons containers in the cockpit storage area under the seat. I have a H26 andit has always worked for me.
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Gus Elia
Fuel on deck
Gerald, When I take a long trip and I am planning on motoring I fill a 5 gallon can and leave it by the swim ladder. It is easy to move when I want to go swimming. I have a Tohatsu 8 HP. At full throttle it burns a little more than gallon an hour. This comes out to about 6 miles to the gallon for the boat. I keep a 1 1/2 gallon can next to the standard fuel tank all the time for reserve. This gives me about 10 gallons of fuel or enough for 60 miles. You could get another 5 gallon can and tie it to a stanchion and have all the fuel you could possibly use on a sailboat. If you're going to sail most of this distance then you don't need near this much fuel.
Gerald, When I take a long trip and I am planning on motoring I fill a 5 gallon can and leave it by the swim ladder. It is easy to move when I want to go swimming. I have a Tohatsu 8 HP. At full throttle it burns a little more than gallon an hour. This comes out to about 6 miles to the gallon for the boat. I keep a 1 1/2 gallon can next to the standard fuel tank all the time for reserve. This gives me about 10 gallons of fuel or enough for 60 miles. You could get another 5 gallon can and tie it to a stanchion and have all the fuel you could possibly use on a sailboat. If you're going to sail most of this distance then you don't need near this much fuel.
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Harvey Small
Full Tanks
Just remember that the safety hazard is the gasoline FUMES. It's the vapor that's explosive. So, any spare fuel tanks or cans should be filled to the mark. Any approved fuel container (and you don't want to use any other kind) has a mark that says "Don't fill past this mark". That will provide room for thermal expansion while minimizing the amount of gasoline vapor in the tank. Think of it this way -- a 5 gallon tank with only two gallons of gas in it has three gallons of explosive vapor.
Just remember that the safety hazard is the gasoline FUMES. It's the vapor that's explosive. So, any spare fuel tanks or cans should be filled to the mark. Any approved fuel container (and you don't want to use any other kind) has a mark that says "Don't fill past this mark". That will provide room for thermal expansion while minimizing the amount of gasoline vapor in the tank. Think of it this way -- a 5 gallon tank with only two gallons of gas in it has three gallons of explosive vapor.
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Ray Bowles
95 H26 with 9.9 hp Honda outboard will cruse...
for at least 10 hours at 5 to 6 mph on a six gal tank with a gal to spare. Stiff headwinds of 15mph or full throttle will cut that time in half. Ray sv Speedy
for at least 10 hours at 5 to 6 mph on a six gal tank with a gal to spare. Stiff headwinds of 15mph or full throttle will cut that time in half. Ray sv Speedy
Don't store in cabin
If the container falls over and the fuel spills while you are under way you are going to have a big, smelly mess and a potential fire hazard below decks. Keep the spare fuel on deck somewhere and lash it down securely. You can also get substantially better mileage without losing too much speed by easing the throttle back a bit. In flat water you can run at half-throttle and lose about half a knot but your range will almost double. Save the full throttle (and your fuel) for when you really need it (big waves, strong headwinds or rapidly approaching bad weather). Peter H23 "Raven"
If the container falls over and the fuel spills while you are under way you are going to have a big, smelly mess and a potential fire hazard below decks. Keep the spare fuel on deck somewhere and lash it down securely. You can also get substantially better mileage without losing too much speed by easing the throttle back a bit. In flat water you can run at half-throttle and lose about half a knot but your range will almost double. Save the full throttle (and your fuel) for when you really need it (big waves, strong headwinds or rapidly approaching bad weather). Peter H23 "Raven"
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Gerard
Thanks...
I checked tonite and a 5 gallon portable tank fits perfectly in front of the motor. I hope to find this moot because there's wind! Thanks for all the input!
I checked tonite and a 5 gallon portable tank fits perfectly in front of the motor. I hope to find this moot because there's wind! Thanks for all the input!
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