Where to store gasoline on a Mariner 37 / Helmsman 38?

[rslifkin]

Sailboat decks are usually pretty open and flat without tall bulwarks. I wouldn't want to open the ports right next to those jerry cans just in case one gets hot enough in the sun to vent. But generally, having them lashed to the rails like that isn't a fumes concern, as most fumes will flow right off the boat. And any that manage to blow back to the cockpit will be significantly diluted by that point.

Looking at the picture below of my own boat, if I needed to carry spare dinghy fuel, it would likely be either lashed to the stern rail or on the swim platform. But I'm also slightly less paranoid about gas than some, as it's a gas powered boat, so the aft bilge (contains fuel tanks) and the engine room already have ignition protected equipment and ventilation to deal with fumes. Fumes in the forward bilge or cabin would be a problem though, as those spaces aren't gasoline containing normally and have electrical equipment that's not ignition protected.

 

[C lectric]

I store my gas jugs on the swim grid. The actual gas jug also has a light grey cover over it to reduce sun heating. Gas develops a lot of pressure and will seriously bulge the gas jug. My diesel jugs right next to that same gas jug don't swell like that; the diesel does not generate that pressure.

As far as gas fumes travelling they can and do travel. I saw a Power Squadron [memory willing] video many years ago which showed gas fumes and them travelling down a side deck from the bow.. The breeze angle was such that the breeze pushed them down the side, over the low barrier and into the cockpit. Not off the boat as many would believe.

If at anchor and I need to refuel my dingbat that is NOT done inside the main boat. It is done on the swimgrid and in the dinghy.

I do not carry my O/B gas inside the boat.

As far as the Bbq. is concerned it too gets moved as far away from that gas jug as possible.

I almost forgot. On two occasions a jug split a seam spilling gas. I gave away what fuel I could. If I kept the jug in the cockpit it could have been disastrous.
That's why the cover to reduce sun heating of the jug.

So yes, I have been quite cautious.

Be very carefull about gas storage.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

I'll find a way to lash it to the swim platform when I need to carry spare dinghy gas. Fortunately, it's not often. Thanks guys.

 

[C lectric]

I will mention how I secure my jugs.
I used SS rail tubing with some railing standoffs to secure and raise the tubing so I can get my hand in to run lines. I drilled holes in the grid and uses SS machine screws, fender washers and Nysert nuts to secure the SS stanoffs.

i have a solid FRP covered plywood platform. If you have a slotted type then maybe some aluminum plates on the underside would work well.

 

[mvweebles]

Is it just me or has anyone ever wondered why a 10-gal gas tank isn't built into a cruising style boat? Or at least a place to stow a pair of 20L jugs safely and conveniently similar to how propane bottles have storage lockers.

Peter

 

[slowgoesit]

A deck box makes sense. Our foredeck does not have nearly the space of your 50' Beebe, but we have space on the bridge deck for a box. Ours is a propane-free boat (for now anyway), but storing extra gas is something I want to do. Does your deck box have ventilation grates to allow airflow?

The deck box, similar to the one below (not promoting WM, but it was a handy link) did not originally come with vents. I installed two vents at each aft, bottom corner. The lid, although it has an overlap to shed water, does not seal, allowing top to bottom ventilation. Any heavier than air fumes will travel aft, and to each side, overboard at the forward break of the main cabin. No windows open in that portion of the boat, and the dorade box vents are several feet higher than the vents. I take safety seriously, and believe potential risks can be mitigated with proper planning and execution.

https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine-standard-medium-dock-box-6788046.html?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=PMax:%20GSC%3eSmart_Shopping%3eAnchor%20&%20Docking&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoqSToKyL_QIVoiWtBh3Jcg7BEAQYAyABEgK2ivD_BwE

 

[rslifkin]

Is it just me or has anyone ever wondered why a 10-gal gas tank isn't built into a cruising style boat? Or at least a place to stow a pair of 20L jugs safely and conveniently similar to how propane bottles have storage lockers.

Peter

I'm definitely surprised more boats (especially those that already have a propane locker) don't have a "dinghy fuel storage" locker.

On my boat it's crossed my mind to equip a setup to pump gas from the main tanks (gas engines) for dinghy refills, but I haven't really thought about how I'd even do that safely as I've yet to need to carry extra dinghy fuel on a trip.

Our dinghy is pretty efficient, so up to this point the 3 gallon tank has been adequate (and I could upgrade to a 6 gallon and trade a little payload for more fuel). As best I can estimate, when run wide open the dinghy gets ~22 nmpg with 1 person down to about 15 - 16 nmpg fully loaded. Slow down enough (under 4 kts) and it gets better than 30 nmpg, should get close to 40 at that speed lightly loaded.

 

[ABfish]

I'm just stepping up to a dinghy with a 30 hp outboard and a 3 gallon tank. Looks like I'm burning about 1.5 gallons per hour running at 20 to 25 mph.

I'm going to by another 3 gallon tank and store it on the flybridge. The tanks are designed so that the vent is closed when not in use, so no vapors should escape. And the small tanks are stable and easy to carry for refills. I'd rather fill the tanks directly and avoid carrying a fuel can.

 

[HeadedToTexas]

Is it just me or has anyone ever wondered why a 10-gal gas tank isn't built into a cruising style boat? Or at least a place to stow a pair of 20L jugs safely and conveniently similar to how propane bottles have storage lockers.

Peter

Sure seems like a good idea to me too.

Any reason the same approach to propane fume mitigation wouldn't work for gasoline?

 

[Sleeping Bear]

I store the extra gas in a cooler mounted on the swim platform, it has a drain so fumes can escape. Even got a cooler in a color that kinda matches the boat, attached the cooler to the swim platform with screws.

I found the gas somehow used to get contaminated when we used to just strap tha tank to the platform, no problems now.