Permanent Gas tank

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R.W.Landau

Has anyone install a permanent gas tank for your 25 outboard version? Question for all with permanent tanks... where did you vent that wasn't on the stern and do you have problems with water in the vent after a GOOD sail? The reason I don't want to vent off the stern is it is gasoline and I will probably hang a grille off the stearn on occasion. Thanks r.w.landau
 
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Paul Mieszczenski

Todd 18 gallon

R.W., I put a Todd 18 gallon tank under the cockpit floor with the fill pipe at the forward end of the cockpit. I always use a plastic funnel when I fill to prevent any chance of a spark from a static charge in the tank to the nozzle. Also have never had a fuel spill with the funnel. I vented out the back because there was already a hole there.(Some people should never be allowed to use power tools). I really can't think of any other place that would work as well. Maybe you can set the grill up off the stantion just forward of the cockpit. The extra capacity and getting the tank out of the way are a great bonus. PM
 
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Don Evans

Tanks...No Tanks

R.W. when I powered with a gas engine, I built a box for the portable fuel tank across the cockpit floor, against the stern, well vented (through the cockpit floor drain) and very handy. The lid of the locker became an extra seat in the cockpit. You can see a pic of a similar locker at Phill Morris's site. You can't get any more simple than that. To install a permanent tank requires some effort and expense. Consider the holes and fittings required (5 by my count). Fuel guage, deck filler and vent, tank itself, extra long fuel hose, bilge blowers, bilge vents, tank mounting platform.It all adds up. I'm not trying to discourage you, as there can be some gains made for permanancy. I never had the concern of fuel vapours when repowering to diesel, so I installed a permanent aluminum tank under the floor as Paul had done. I cut, painted and fit a piece of 3/4" ply across part of the bilge and affixed my tank there. A permanent fuel nozzle was installed about where Paul mentioned and the vent was located high up on the starboard side of the stern. I never had water problems from waves or wash because it was so high. You do have to inspect it though, as insects can build homes in the opening, especially mud daubers. As far as close proximity to a propane cooker, I think the distance between the vent and a BBQ off the taff rail is considerable, and well vented. I can't see this as a problem. If you think of the vast numbers of gas powered boats with permanent fuel tanks, down in the bilge, and the relatively few explosions that occur, if all safety measures are installed (vent, vent, vent) and followed, I see no great concern. Don
 
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web

Thought about it and decided its not worth it

I thought about installing a permanent tank last winter but decided not to do it for a number of reasons - in no particular order: expense - I was looking at a minimum of ~$400 to do it right. That would be most of a cruising spinnaker trim - I was interested in this project largely as a way to be able to adjust the trim of the boat by altering the fuel leve. Ultimately, I decided it wasn't worth it. stale fuel - I burn about 20 gallons a season even with heavy usage of my boat. That's going out an average of four times a week. I decided that the fuel in the tank was likely to get stale and that the risk of water from condensation was too great to be worth it. free surface effect - when that larger tank gets to half full, the effect of the sloshing fuel will be substantial. I didn't want that going on on my boat. So I didn't do it. Seemed like a neat project but there are plenty of others. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
 
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R.W.Landau

Don, question on your post

Thanks for the responses. Don, I thought of putting a box in the cockpit. I thought it might cramp things up. How did it work on yours? My water tank, battery, and gas tank plus the railmeat in the cockpit has me concerned about boat balance. Did you have to move any weight forward after the diesel, to compensate? r.w.
 
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Don Evans

R.W....

The cockpit gas locker was the easiest upgrade I've made on Pangia. It consists of a wood front and a hinged top. I strapped the edges with 1X1 and screwed the 2 pieces to this. I have a arch cut out of the bottom faceplate to allow venting into the locker. The lid has a hasp and lock to secure things. It was so handy in fact I still have it and use it to hold my Force 10 BBQ and lines and such. The top also serves as a spare seat and as a rear support for 2 lengths of plywood I can place across the cockpit lengthwise to serve as a base for sleeping on in the cockpit with the cockpit enclosure up or an a warm summers night. A multi purpose piece of furniture. The diesel is located far enough forward (essentially under the galley counter)and low enough that it did not effect trim. Aft of the engine is located the fuel tank and batteries (3). Its a lot of weight (about 500lbs), but it is low and adds to the ballast and the stability making my boat less tender. I can also carry more sail into stronger winds than the average OD25, because of this extra stability. I am probably slower though. Don
 
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