Talk about luck!

[Roger Long]

Some friends arrived off Portland last spring with dry fuel tanks due to a small brain fade on a non-stop sail from Florida. I was already on my way out to meet them when I got the word so I showed them to a good anchorage and went back to get them some fuel.

I decided this was a good time to buy a second jerry can for my upcomming long cruises north and was bummed to discover I could only get a short fat one that will take up more side deck real estate when lashed to the lifeline stanchions. I haven't seen the old style since so I guess they don't make them any more. Anyway, I delivered the fuel in the pouring rain and the can went into the garage.

Last year, I rebuilt the removable divider that keeps stuff in the cockpit locker from falling into the engine space. I looked at it the other day and had a thought which I tried today. (See below)

Wow! Perfect fit. Just tight enough to be secure. With my two regular tanks, I can now carry 37 gallons of usable fuel. That's enough to go 300 miles at 6 knots and twice that much at 5. That will come in very handy when I go up to where fuel supplies are few and far between. I also don't care much for carrying cans on deck.

BTW this is diesel. Don't try this at home with gas, kids.

 

[sailingdog]

Trying that with gasoline would be a problem unless the locker vents overboard at near the bottom. If it vents to the interior, it is definitely a no-no.

 

[Ross]

Jolly Roger, It seems that you "fell in" and came out smelling of roses. Get a couple of those fuel absorbant sheets and put down there for any small spills.

 

[Roger Long]

Jolly Roger, It seems that you "fell in" and came out smelling of roses. Get a couple of those fuel absorbant sheets and put down there for any small spills.

I regard to that:

Does anyone know a source of plain solid caps for these can? They all come with the fancy inverted pouring spouts now but I'll be doing the transfers by siphon pump and hose due to my fuel filler location and not wanting to wrestle with an inverted can underway. The plan is to transfer this fuel to the main tanks just as quickly as possible. Since the cans are inside the boat, I'd like something more secure than the spout collar caps with the little plastic disks in them.

 

[Ross]

Roger, I have been using cans quite similar ti yours and the seal is good but if the can is full pulling that spout is sometimes messy. Maybe just amputate the spout and keep the base with the sealing disk. I just went down and checked a spare that I have here, they will seal with just the disk. If you have any concern, cut a round gasket to fit.

 

[Napa Ed]

I regard to that:

Does anyone know a source of plain solid caps for these can? They all come with the fancy inverted pouring spouts now but I'll be doing the transfers by siphon pump and hose due to my fuel filler location and not wanting to wrestle with an inverted can underway.

Depending on the maker and spout type, the cans may not be designed for storage with the nozzle inverted. Cans sold by WM (http://www.blitzusa.com/) have a variety of spout styles. The FAQ page will tell you which spout is designed for storage with the spout extended. The lip of the jug may be tapered and will not seal properly with some spouts inverted. Some cans are sold with the filler inside the can for shipping purposes only.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Speaking of gasoline,. . . .

do you carry any? If yes then where? I cruised last year with a small can on the side deck strapped to the toerail. I need it both for the 4-cycle outboard and the Honda generator.

I also have space below the stern locker shelf. But I would worry about that much weight next to the scupper hoses. From your picture it doesn't look like you have that problem. I carried one 6 gal. diesel can on the side deck. My H37C has a fifty gallon fuel tank so I am not sure that I need it.

 

[Roger Long]

do you carry any?

No.

 

[RAD]

Plastic caps

"Does anyone know a source of plain solid caps for these can? They all come with the fancy inverted pouring spouts now but I'll be doing the transfers by siphon pump and hose due to my fuel filler location and not wanting to wrestle with an inverted can underway. The plan is to transfer this fuel to the main tanks just as quickly as possible. Since the cans are inside the boat, I'd like something more secure than the spout collar caps with the little plastic disks in them. "

I store a 5 gal. can for spare and emergency fuel that has the same spout type cap and went looking for a plain ol cap and came up empty handed but I have never had the original cap leak and I'm on my fourth season and I transfer the fuel the same way by siphon

 

[JoeWhite]

I have a 9.9 HP outboard and I transfer the gas from the spare tank by siphone and I start the siphone with the inline pump that is on the gas tank hose. For those who want to transfer the diesel that is stored in a container that is too large to handle I suggest using a gas pump that is used in most cars gas tank. Fuel pumps are located inside the gas tank. They are very small, about 1 1/4" diameter by 4 " long, use 12 volts DC, are submirsible and include a filter. Attatch a 3/8" hose to its exit nozel and drop it into the diesel tank and apply 12VDC. You will not spill any fuel. Let me know how it goes.

 

[slr295]

If youu are even thinking avout storing gasoline read this link
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000701-d000800/d000760/d000760.html
vapor of 1 cup of gasoline equals 2+ stx dynamite

 

[Roger Long]

That's why I won't have gasoline or propane on my boat. It can be done safely but I don't want the worry or bother. Rowing the dinghy is exercise I need anyway.

I've been present at two boat explosions and I spent 10 years flying around with 40 gallons of 100LL six inches above my head. Had an old fuel hose in the wing break and flew home with the stuff pouring down under the cabin side upholstery and out the bottom of the plane.

I REALLY enjoy not worrying about gas anymore

 

[Tim R.]

My boat is CNG but it still has two propane lockers in the aft of the cockpit. One is where I have a washdown hose and I keep my dinghy fuel and BBQ propane in the other.

I know of a couple of sailors around here who converted to propane because they did not want to pay the $65 a year for the CNG refills.

Check out this link for caps:

http://fluids.flambeau.com/caps/caps_3n1half_inch.html

 

[sailingdog]

Sorry, I prefer to use a fuel hose with a squeeze bulb... mixing electricity and gasoline vapors when not absolutely necessary isn't my idea of wise.

I have a 9.9 HP outboard and I transfer the gas from the spare tank by siphone and I start the siphone with the inline pump that is on the gas tank hose. For those who want to transfer the diesel that is stored in a container that is too large to handle I suggest using a gas pump that is used in most cars gas tank. Fuel pumps are located inside the gas tank. They are very small, about 1 1/4" diameter by 4 " long, use 12 volts DC, are submirsible and include a filter. Attatch a 3/8" hose to its exit nozel and drop it into the diesel tank and apply 12VDC. You will not spill any fuel. Let me know how it goes.

 

[Roger Long]

Check out this link for caps:
http://fluids.flambeau.com/caps/caps_3n1half_inch.html

I looked up their cap specifications on the web site and measured my yelllow cans. Although the nominal diameter is the same, it appears that the threads are quite different.

I guess I'll go with discs cut from gasket material backed up with a metal disk inserted into the collars caps for the pouring spouts.

The threads on my two different cans from different Chinese (do you even have to mention country of origin anymore?) manufactures are interchangable so it seems like solid caps should be available.

 

[rpwillia]

Somewhat off topic and a little specific, but my Catalina has two propane lockers in the stern. Since I only have one propane tank and the other is always empty and don't need any gasoline is there some kind of storage container I could put into it? I am guessing it would be about the size of the propane tank.