Where to put small fuel tank on S/D boat

[vizwhiz]

As part of my planning, my thought was to use a 3-gallon fuel tank for my 9.9 4-stroke. I figure it would give me adequate storage capacity for a day or two on the water, without being so big it was out-of-proportion or left me with a lot of gas to have to store at the end of a trip. For back-up, the plan so far has been to carry a 1-gal reserve can (full, that is) just to have as back-up in case I encountered something that required more fuel than expected...enough to get me to a marina or something.
Anyway, since we plan to overnight on the boat regularly, meaning probably every time we take it out, I did not want to mount the fuel tanks, or store the spare, down in the lazarette, since it is open to the cabin and fumes could become an issue. I would also not feel comfortable doing so without having a blower for the space if there was to be fuel down there - something that seems more permanent than the fuel tank itself. Last thought on it is that I may ultimately re-locate my batteries back to the laz also, instead of under the sink, so I didn't want the fuel and batteries to be together. Sumner has a great permanent fix, but that is way out of the league I am wanting at this point.

All that said, there really isn't a very good place to put the fuel tank on an S...except down in the laz.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

(I was lately thinking of mounting a fold-up aluminum "shelf" on the back of the boat that would hold the tank while on the water, and use bungees to strap the tank down so it couldn't fall off. That would keep the fuel out of the cockpit, out of the laz, and out of the cabin. Could fold up the shelf for trailer/storage.)

[THE CUSCUS]

Not sure how close the 26S cockpit is to a V25, but this may give you some ideas.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1372

[Sumner]

For the first year before we put the inboard tank in we had a 3 gallon tied down opposite Ruth on the port side. Since there were only 2 of us on the boat the cockpit and the seating was still ample. Ruth likes to always sit on the starboard side and she doesn't tolerate that much heeling so performance isn't an issue for us. I sit forward and manage the sails and sit on either side.

You could put the 1 gallon tank down in the motor well. We have done that now that we have the inboard tank. It is still a backup in case something goes wrong with that system, but so far it has worked perfect for us.

We also use to carry some containers down in the laz. Didn't like it, but the new containers with the awkward pour tops just don't seem to leak at all. Still I'm happy that those days are over.

Putting the 3 gallon tank you use in the laz is not a good idea in my opinion as the cap has to be vented. Some people have gotten around that by keeping the cap vent closed and adding a line to the tank that goes up to a vent outside. I think they put a quck disconnect on that line so that they can pull the tank out to fill it and empty it. That is probably what I would do if I needed the whole cockpit.

On the gas, we now put it all in vehicles after the trip and don't try to store it. Hope you are getting closer to going out. We sure hope to be down there by the end of the month,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[Catigale]

It might not be an unreasonable plan to carry an EMPTY 1 gallon container and bum a gallon a gas from a fellow boater in an emergency...EMPTY here means never had gas in it.

[Sumner]

It might not be an unreasonable plan to carry an EMPTY 1 gallon container and bum a gallon a gas from a fellow boater in an emergency...EMPTY here means never had gas in it.

Hey down in the Everglades and crossing Florida Bay we might of sat there a long time waiting for that "fellow boater" . You are right though that where he will be sailing at first there will be a lot of boaters if he wanted to go that route.

Michael 3 gallons will get you over 30 miles or so and a small 1 gallon will fit in the motor well and you can still tilt the outboard and such with it there,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[ronacarme]

Our old 1988 26D carried a portable 3 gallon tank at the aft end of the cockpit footwell. No other tank carried.
Aside from the question of a 1 gallon tank in the motor well, is the cockpit footwell aft end wide enuf for a conventional horizontal six gallon tank,in place of your 3 gallon tank? A quick web search found no vertical 6 gallon tank.
Alternately, could you strap a 1 or 2 gallon emergency tank atop the lazarette cover or to a stanchion or the mast base or a pulpit?
I would avoid storing a portable gas tank inside the lazarette or cabin ivo explosive fumes danger.
Ron

[pokerrick1]

It might not be an unreasonable plan to carry an EMPTY 1 gallon container and bum a gallon a gas from a fellow boater in an emergency...EMPTY here means never had gas in it.

I don't like the idea of transferring gas from wherever to your empty gas can while on the water in two rocking and/or moving/swaying boats

Rick

[Mic]

I have strapped a spare tank to the pulpit.
Not my area of experience but in hot climates a white sack cover may help. If its swollen before using it lower it on to the water for a while after bleeding off the vapour build up.

I now carry two 6 gallon fuel tanks, with quick connects, in the Laz and don't have to move them to change tanks. The Honda manual said I could have the tank 3 feet below the engine. Didn't work kept stalling out. The laz is now sealed from the cabin and two side vents in the hull for venting. Haven't had any smell in the cabin but then I've never had the heat you have.

[Catigale]

That's why you just pass the one gallon can over, have it filled , and pass it back. A beer passed back completes the transaction. See you accountant how to amend your taxes on this business.

[snotnosetommy]

Not sure how close the 26S cockpit is to a V25, but this may give you some ideas.

Great fiberglass & paint job, Cuscus.

[THE CUSCUS]

Thanks, Tomy!

[vizwhiz]

It does look good CusCus... And the 25 cockpit is very similar to the 26S/D, but without the lazarette in the back.
Sum - I'm hearing you on the 1-gal spare, it's putting a 3-gal somewhere safe...

How about installing a shelf/locker/bucket in the cockpit under the port seat - I'm thinking of from the side where your legs/feet are, like a cubbyhole? It could even be supported from inside above the rear berth, but totally sealed off to the cockpit - and losing the headroom in the back portion of the berth wouldn't hurt anything - would be kinda like the M with the tank under the cockpit seat? Just a thought.