On some sailboats with outboard engines, the fuel tanks are sometimes placed in some sort of locker in the cockpit. However, this locker is open to the bilge. Hence, fuel fumes creep into the cabin. I worked hard to seal off that area and vent it to the stern on my previous Hunter 25. It was too much work for too little gain. I'm now looking at a Pearson 26 that has the same problem. I have thought about hanging some kind of rack off the stern pulpit to fasten the fuel tank literally outside the boat... but I am afraid of the fuel getting water. Any suggestions? Rick
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Bill O'Donovan
Manual ventilation
Old Catalina 27s had the OB tucked inside the aft locker. A stainless steel scoop was mounted atop each side, one facing one direction and the other in the other direction, presumably to catch the air and ventilate it out. Check out a 27 at a marina nearby, since they're still pretty popular boats. The dynamic is that given enough room to breathe, the vents will do the jbo without blowers.
Old Catalina 27s had the OB tucked inside the aft locker. A stainless steel scoop was mounted atop each side, one facing one direction and the other in the other direction, presumably to catch the air and ventilate it out. Check out a 27 at a marina nearby, since they're still pretty popular boats. The dynamic is that given enough room to breathe, the vents will do the jbo without blowers.
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TeePee
A long time ago
when I had a Chrysler OB and its gas tank was fairly flat in places and the tank was empty, I had another quick attach gas outlet solder/ welded to the gas tank and then ran a hose from there to a thru-hull vent just below the rub rail. There was no pressure build up and when the gas tank needed filling it was very easy to disconnect both 'quick connects' and be on my way. At that time my gas tank was down near the quarter berth. We never had any gas odors.
when I had a Chrysler OB and its gas tank was fairly flat in places and the tank was empty, I had another quick attach gas outlet solder/ welded to the gas tank and then ran a hose from there to a thru-hull vent just below the rub rail. There was no pressure build up and when the gas tank needed filling it was very easy to disconnect both 'quick connects' and be on my way. At that time my gas tank was down near the quarter berth. We never had any gas odors.
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Raymond Ortega
Venting
I think the other response should take care of the problem. If not, you might consider using a vet that has a flange for a hose. attach one end of the hose to the vent and clamp the other over the vent cap on your tank. that way, the only way out for the fumes will be through the vent. On my Hunter 25.5 I store the tank in the aft locker with the vent cap closed and put it below the tiller when in use.
I think the other response should take care of the problem. If not, you might consider using a vet that has a flange for a hose. attach one end of the hose to the vent and clamp the other over the vent cap on your tank. that way, the only way out for the fumes will be through the vent. On my Hunter 25.5 I store the tank in the aft locker with the vent cap closed and put it below the tiller when in use.
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John Dawson
I dunno, Richard
These responses sound dubious to me. I could be wrong but I'm guessing some of these posters don't run into the Coast Guard very often. I don't think you can have a tank below decks unless its a permanent tank properly set up. Jury rigging a vent line on an above deck tank won't pass. Closing the valve won't prevent vapors when the temperature or pressure changes. The Catalina mentioned sounds OK cause it has a separate compartment with vents, no access to below. You better check out the regs some more on anything less than this. We thoughtlessly kept the tank below until we realized both the presence of vapors and the illegality of it. Now I keep a small tank at the rear of the cockpit; it never goes below. Its shaded from UV. I bring small jerry jugs of extra unmixed gas (2cycle) so I can toss it into the car if it isn't used. I've thought about a holder outside the transom but not done it. We're somewhat lucky that the space under the tiller isn't where our feet usually need to be.
These responses sound dubious to me. I could be wrong but I'm guessing some of these posters don't run into the Coast Guard very often. I don't think you can have a tank below decks unless its a permanent tank properly set up. Jury rigging a vent line on an above deck tank won't pass. Closing the valve won't prevent vapors when the temperature or pressure changes. The Catalina mentioned sounds OK cause it has a separate compartment with vents, no access to below. You better check out the regs some more on anything less than this. We thoughtlessly kept the tank below until we realized both the presence of vapors and the illegality of it. Now I keep a small tank at the rear of the cockpit; it never goes below. Its shaded from UV. I bring small jerry jugs of extra unmixed gas (2cycle) so I can toss it into the car if it isn't used. I've thought about a holder outside the transom but not done it. We're somewhat lucky that the space under the tiller isn't where our feet usually need to be.
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Dick of Sylvan
Not Below
Richard: I agree with John D., and in my 1974 C22, I place the gas tank in the cockpit under the tiller at the transom, even though the boat was made for it to be in the lazarius beneath the seat. Unfortunately that space is not sealed from the bilge and cabin area. The boat has an air scoop, but that doesn't seem sufficient especially when "parked" in still air. Also, the scoop is somewhat inconvenient if she heels over too far, as it allows large amounts of water to pour into the bilge area. Dick K.
Richard: I agree with John D., and in my 1974 C22, I place the gas tank in the cockpit under the tiller at the transom, even though the boat was made for it to be in the lazarius beneath the seat. Unfortunately that space is not sealed from the bilge and cabin area. The boat has an air scoop, but that doesn't seem sufficient especially when "parked" in still air. Also, the scoop is somewhat inconvenient if she heels over too far, as it allows large amounts of water to pour into the bilge area. Dick K.
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Richard
John D -
You said you've given some thought to "behind the transom." Any ideas? Thanks, everyone, for the input! Where would I find the appropriate CG regs for the tank? Rick
You said you've given some thought to "behind the transom." Any ideas? Thanks, everyone, for the input! Where would I find the appropriate CG regs for the tank? Rick
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John Shullo
Works for me
My Cal 2-27 has the gas tank under the cockpit and I have no fumes or odors. The boat has two hooded vents, one pointed forward, other aft. Both are located on the top of the stern.
My Cal 2-27 has the gas tank under the cockpit and I have no fumes or odors. The boat has two hooded vents, one pointed forward, other aft. Both are located on the top of the stern.
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Richard Laribee
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John Shullo
West Marine catalog, page 540
Rick: no clue how to draw one on computer. Access WestMarine catalog in print, page 540 or on line and look for "Flexible PVC Cowl Ventilators, low profile." John
Rick: no clue how to draw one on computer. Access WestMarine catalog in print, page 540 or on line and look for "Flexible PVC Cowl Ventilators, low profile." John
Time to get creative
The C250 has a good fuel locker with proper fresh air vent and discharge holes overboard should the portable six gallon tank within leak. The problem was I needed more than six gallons capacity. I almost doubled the capacity by using an old ice chest which will hold a three gal and a two gal can plus a couple of coleman fuel canisters. A fresh air port was added and the drain will discharge a leaking can overboard should a tank rupture. The ice chest also solves the problem of a too low seat for helming the wheel steering. Perched on the ice chest, forward visibility is now much better. This year, one more modification makes it even better, a seat pad was snapped to the top. This space is of course made possible by the wheel steering and if the emergency tiller ever is required, the extra locker has to be moved. On a tiller boat, it should be very possible to mount a small three gallon tank in place either over the tiller or aft of the transom over the rudder. Such a mounting could either provide a locker just large enough for the gas tank or a platform to lash the tank. If Coleman canisters are carried, make it larger enough to include a couple or make a canvas sachel for a life line to store those.
The C250 has a good fuel locker with proper fresh air vent and discharge holes overboard should the portable six gallon tank within leak. The problem was I needed more than six gallons capacity. I almost doubled the capacity by using an old ice chest which will hold a three gal and a two gal can plus a couple of coleman fuel canisters. A fresh air port was added and the drain will discharge a leaking can overboard should a tank rupture. The ice chest also solves the problem of a too low seat for helming the wheel steering. Perched on the ice chest, forward visibility is now much better. This year, one more modification makes it even better, a seat pad was snapped to the top. This space is of course made possible by the wheel steering and if the emergency tiller ever is required, the extra locker has to be moved. On a tiller boat, it should be very possible to mount a small three gallon tank in place either over the tiller or aft of the transom over the rudder. Such a mounting could either provide a locker just large enough for the gas tank or a platform to lash the tank. If Coleman canisters are carried, make it larger enough to include a couple or make a canvas sachel for a life line to store those.
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