I use an outboard motor. The battery & gas are located in the cockpit area under the seat. Before starting the outboard I always air out the area where the gasoline is kept. My question is do I need some type of ventilation system - I worry about the fumes once I drop the seat down. Thanks, Karen
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Sounds familiar.
My 1973 G-26 has a similar set-up - outboard with the gas tank under the starboard rear cockpit locker. Exception - my batteries are located in cabin lockers. When I first got the boat 7 years ago, and before any major sailing, I called the coast guard in to do a total inspection. They found everything in order, with the exception of no ventilation for the gas tank in the locker. I was advised that I needed a ventilation port cut into the side of the locker where the gas tank was. The vent was to be level with the floor in the tank storage area so any fumes that were present would fall through the vent and into the cockpit sole and then out the open rear scuppers (level with cockpit sole). Was easy to do - picked up a vent cover at the chandlery, cut the opening, fastened the cover and Bob's your uncle. You will be pleased with this set-up, and so will your insurance company. Makes sense eh? Don't know if you were aware of it or not, but Grampian built many O'Day sailboats back in the '70s'.
My 1973 G-26 has a similar set-up - outboard with the gas tank under the starboard rear cockpit locker. Exception - my batteries are located in cabin lockers. When I first got the boat 7 years ago, and before any major sailing, I called the coast guard in to do a total inspection. They found everything in order, with the exception of no ventilation for the gas tank in the locker. I was advised that I needed a ventilation port cut into the side of the locker where the gas tank was. The vent was to be level with the floor in the tank storage area so any fumes that were present would fall through the vent and into the cockpit sole and then out the open rear scuppers (level with cockpit sole). Was easy to do - picked up a vent cover at the chandlery, cut the opening, fastened the cover and Bob's your uncle. You will be pleased with this set-up, and so will your insurance company. Makes sense eh? Don't know if you were aware of it or not, but Grampian built many O'Day sailboats back in the '70s'.
B
Benny
Is it an enclosed locker or is it open to
the inside of the boat? If the locker is enclosed you may cut a vent at the foot of the locker. If the locker is open to the interior hull the gas fumes being heavier than air will go straight down into the bilge. A sailboat's cockpit is designed to retain and drain water in case it gets swamped. That is why it is advisable to insert the companionway boards in case of foul weather. If you cut a vent opening in the locker the water instead of draining out will go inside the boat. I don't know what size tank you may be using but a 3 1/2 gallons is plenty big for a small out board and can sit in a corner of the cockpit seats. Don't gamble with batteries and a gas tank in the same locker.
the inside of the boat? If the locker is enclosed you may cut a vent at the foot of the locker. If the locker is open to the interior hull the gas fumes being heavier than air will go straight down into the bilge. A sailboat's cockpit is designed to retain and drain water in case it gets swamped. That is why it is advisable to insert the companionway boards in case of foul weather. If you cut a vent opening in the locker the water instead of draining out will go inside the boat. I don't know what size tank you may be using but a 3 1/2 gallons is plenty big for a small out board and can sit in a corner of the cockpit seats. Don't gamble with batteries and a gas tank in the same locker.
P
Peter
second separating batteries and gas
I second Benny. Have the batteries and gas in separate compartments.
I second Benny. Have the batteries and gas in separate compartments.
3.5Ft2/35Ft3
A separate ventilation system IS NOT required if an engine or fuel tank space has: (a) at least 3.5 square foot of area exposed to the atmosphere per 35 cubic feet of net space volume; A separate ventilation system IS required if an engine or fuel tank space conforms to the following: (a) the space has less than 3.5 square foot of area exposed to the atmosphere per 35 cubic feet of net space volume Engine and Fuel Tank Space Ventilation (Gasoline) http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/regs-stds/Section-6.htm
A separate ventilation system IS NOT required if an engine or fuel tank space has: (a) at least 3.5 square foot of area exposed to the atmosphere per 35 cubic feet of net space volume; A separate ventilation system IS required if an engine or fuel tank space conforms to the following: (a) the space has less than 3.5 square foot of area exposed to the atmosphere per 35 cubic feet of net space volume Engine and Fuel Tank Space Ventilation (Gasoline) http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/regs-stds/Section-6.htm
Sorry Karen - no pic of vent.
I used a round polymer vent (approx. 8" dia.) that was designed with the sloped vents shaped to allow fumes to escape, but keep out water. They are available at nearly every chandlery, and not expensive. You can also use metal rectangular vents if you wish, but the polymer one matched our cockpit colour.
I used a round polymer vent (approx. 8" dia.) that was designed with the sloped vents shaped to allow fumes to escape, but keep out water. They are available at nearly every chandlery, and not expensive. You can also use metal rectangular vents if you wish, but the polymer one matched our cockpit colour.
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