[Public-List] A Question of Fuel Tanks

[Gordon Laco via Public-List]

So,

I reckon you'll notice as I just have, that from my last couple of posts,
while I am quite willing to make my crew think they're fighting for their
lives against flooding, I'm equally unwilling to take a chance on a fuel
tank which could vent vapour into the boat....

Well I guess we've all got lines we don't cross....

G




On 2016-03-24, 1:29 PM, "Gordon Laco via Public-List"
<public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Hello Anders,
> 
> Using an outboard motor type fuel tank would work fine, so long as you never
> put it below decks, never kept it in the cockpit well, rather restricted it
> to being up on deck where the heavier than air vapours from it's vent are
> more likely to go over the side than into your cockpit well or bilge.
> 
> Using and keeping a tank like that anywhere but up on deck would represent
> an extreme danger.
> 
> The danger could be reduced to 'normal' by securely fixing the tank into the
> boat, finding a way to extend it's filler up to the deck, and similarly
> running a secure vent line up to a safe exit point.
> 
> Gord #426 Surprise
> 
> 
> On 2016-03-24, 1:20 PM, "Anders Bro via Public-List"
> <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> Over the past few years I have been reading "Practical Sailor" as well
>> as have noted many comments about problems with fuel tanks, fuel
>> degradation due to aging, fuel additives, whether to store full or not,
>> best materials from which a fuel tank should be made, along with many
>> other concerns.
>> 
>> A while back when I was ferrying a new-to-me Alberg 35 from Sommesville
>> to Swans Island (both in Maine), the boat in question had been sitting
>> for years and the fuel was certainly suspect and so I opted to buy a
>> portable fuel tank such as one uses for an outboard engine (rather than
>> going through the labor intensive procedure of cleaning the system), and
>> plumbed that into the supply of the Atomic 4 for that windless trip.
>> 
>> The more that I have considered it, the more I like the idea of such a
>> portable tank. It sidesteps most all of the issues of a built-in fuel
>> tank. I expect there is only one situation in which it might not be
>> ideal - one in which a sailor typically uses the engine for frequent and
>> extended periods. I expect that most folks don't use but a few gallons
>> of fuel per year and so such a small fuel tank would ensure fresh fuel,
>> no spillage, and so on.
>> 
>> I am wondering if this practice is common, and if not why not? Are there
>> any drawbacks (safety perhaps?) that I am neglecting to consider?
>> 
>> Thanks for any thoughts.
>> 
>> Anders
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> 
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