Storing gas for the dink

[Bob S]

I've been reading the post on the potential dangers of propane and the safety concerns on proper storage of fuels. I searched the archives and couldn't find anything dealing with storing gasoline. I've been keeping a 1 gallon gas can under the pedestal wheel. It can be in the way at times but I've been afraid to store it in the cockpit locker. How do you store yours?

 

[BobM]

In a tightly sealed gas can

in the dinghy. The dinghy sits at the club. The can is in the sun all day, which doesn't seem very bright, but the can gets pressurized and it hasn't been a problem. Many others do the same. If I had a thwart to stash it under I'd do that, but the dinghy's seats are molded in. The cap is a screw cap and cannot pop open.

 

[sailaway78]

Don't overfill

If leaving a small jerry can of gasoline where it gets direct sunlight and can get pretty warm, do not fill it completely full. Gasoline expands quite a bit with heat, and you have to leave some expansion room.

 

[Dennis W.]

Gasoline Storage

I carry a 2 gal. C.A.R.B. compliant can for the outboard and small Honda generator. During transit and while in the slip or on a mooring it is stored in the anchor locker. The space left on top of the chain is of convenient height to make the can stable, The C.A.R.B. can has no vents to leak if healing with a full can and the locker is vented overboard. The potential for a spill is no greater than on deck or in the dink.

 

[BobM]

22.4L/mol

Very true about expansion. Remember high school chemistry and the mole? Expansion for gas from liquid to gas on a gram basis is huge (ideally), but the amount of force on the container is relatively small (relatively small mass in the head space).

 

[Ross]

One of thing factors to consider is the vapor pressure

Vapor pressure increases with temperature but withy gasoline never seems to be a problem. If you are concerned about leaving it out in the sun just throw a rug over it.

 

[Rick I]

Everything on deck

I carry dink gas, Honda generator gas and diesel. All in 5 gallon jugs on a side deck. The gasoline left in the sun makes the jugs swell a bit but if you've closed them properly this should not be a problem. I carry my Honda generator in the bottom of my cockpit locker, many times with gas in the tank. The Honda has a very secure gas cap and I've had no problems so far. I would not carry full gerry cans below decks as you never can tell if they're leaking a bit. On deck you can smell it very quickly if gasoline or vapours are leaking because the caps have not been screwed down properly Oh, I also have 5 gallons of gas in the dinghy on davits.

 

[Bob R.]

Stern Locker

I have been concerned about the same question. We have an inflatable dink that we keep deflated in stored in the cockpit locker. The outboard motor has 1/3 gal integral gas tank and keep it mounted to board on the stern pulpit rail. When we are planning to use the dink I bring a 1-gal plastic gas can from home and put in the bottom of the port stern locker behind the transom. The locker is relatively deep and extends below the water line, so it stays cool. I put a rope on the handle of the gas container that I tie-off on a hook near the hatch lid. The rope keeps the can from falling over, but doesn't prevent it from tipping when the boat is healing. I bought a new container this year to make sure it met current safety standards. I take the container home when we leave the boat. Should I be concerned about stowing a gasolene container in a closed locker while sailing?

 

[Ross]

YES! would you keep a gallon of gas in a closet in your house?

gasoline vapors are just as flammable as propane vapors. The forklifts in warehouses are powered (Fueled) with propane.

 

[RAD]

In the dink

Or on deck,but most of the time the gas can for the dink outboard is all we have and it stays in the dink on davits and if we need more for the generator(which only comes on board when cruising)it stays on deck.
One thought has always bugged me about the small propane canisters is how to store them and this winter I'm going to build something that is vented overboard.

 

[Bob S]

I like th anchor locker.

I like Dennis W's idea storing gas in the anchor locker. I never thought of it before but it makes sense. It has a drain that makes a good vent. I have a 2hp outboard with a quart gas tank which need to be filled more frequent than I thought it would. I bought a new one gallon container that isn't vented and has a spring loaded spout. If tied so it doesn't fall over I think it would be ok. Even on it's side it hasn't leaked.

Anyone see anything dangerous with this idea?

 

[Ross]

Does anyone see a drawback to simply lashing

the gas can to the rail? 3 feet of 3/16 line is entirely adequate for the task.

 

[John T1594]

Gas in the dink

I do not keep any gas cans in the dink, except when I am in the boat. When we are away from the dink during the week and it rains hard, the dink fills with water and the gas can floats and spills its contents into the dink. I keep my gasoline can in a shaddy spot in the cockpit.

 

[newly anonymous]

Rick, you may want to check with your insurance provider...

...about the wisdom of stowing a gas generator in a locker or lazarette. Chances are good that you're not covered for that, especially if the generator is not properly mounted and the locker is not properly ventilated (which means you'd have to have a blower, among other things.) It makes no difference that you never plan to run the generator while it's in the locker, or so I've been told.

Whether your insurance company allows it, a gas engine or gas container below decks on a boat is a bad idea. This is especially true when, for the same price as a Honda generator, you can purchase a solar panel or a wind turbine that will produce just as much power.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Where?

Newly Anonymous (interesting name) said:

"This is especially true when, for the same price as a Honda generator, you can purchase a solar panel or a wind turbine that will produce just as much power."


Can anyone tell me where/how I can get 1500W plus continuous out of either?
(Short of a massive house bank that is)

I doubt any insurance agent is going to tell you it's perfectly safe to store gas onboard. Whether or not that would serve to successfully deny a claim is arguable. Clearly, there is a distinction between whether an underwriter would prefer you not store gas and "Whether your insurance company allows it..."

 

[sailaway78]

Generator/Solar

There is absolutely no way that you can get the same amount of power from wind or solar. At least no on a boat. The most common wind generator out there is the AirX 403. It's rated at 400 watts, which takes over 20 knots to achieve. Cost is in the 700 dollar range. Solar is more expensive than that for the same output, and only works during daylight hours. If it's cloudy reduce the efficiency, if it's not aimed directly at the sun the efficiency is reduced. There is a place for wind and solar on boats, but there is no way to achieve 1500 watts reliably from either.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Definately anchor locker

I found that the anchor locker is a very nice place to keep a small can for the dink. I haven't had a problem with it yet and it fits nicely up there. It also vents okay and isn't connected to the bilge of the boat. I haven't had a problem with getting the fuel on my anchor rode either (make sure you shut the can okay though).

 

[Manny]

How about on the outside of the rail?

Some nylon webbing, a sewing machine, a few metal rings...

Manny

 

[Manny]

Well picture didn't post

one more try

 

[higgs]

If you have room

Your propane locker would work.