Filling the Fuel Tanks

[Divecoz]

DaveB I keep forgetting about that mod....The survival food goes into a 63 quart frig. running on DC current /or AC.
as I hope to be sailing your waters "This Year ?" I am thinking Cold beer is of greater necessity than Auto Pilot ... unless I find some unbelievable "deal" $$ on an autopilot??? Yes I agree, coolers tend to be heavier and a Lot More Cumbersome than 6 gallon fuel tanks..

[Crikey]

I usually avoid paying for gas in any marina! For the prices most of them charge, you'd think the OPEC held controlling interests in their fuel docks. Most of the time I top up my main 12 gal with a couple of smaller portables that I fill at a gas station on the way down to the boat. But I agree with the logic of the rules concerning this, and so also do the 'op' on the quiet (under the blanket - with peaches) as I've seen some astoundingly stupid goofups by brain dead boaters.

Still alive to talk bout it!

[DaveB]

You got that right! Lots of 10 lb blocks of Ice under the aft setee with a 52 quart 5 day Cooler and just chip off a chunk for those Bahama Mamas or just keep the beer Ice cold.
I usually just keep a 12 pack cooler under the seat useing a small block of Ice and a 10 bears than fill with Ice. Gets me thru the day and Ice water in morning with 92 days temps and about 78 degrees night since water temps are 84 degrees and air at 72 degrees.
I do need to put in a 45-60 watt solar unit on my bimini if I plan on sitting for 2 days.
I am almost ready to install a 90 hp Yamaha as it has a low rpm high voltage,max is 27 amps but at 2000 rpms will produse 90% of that. I am still looking at the Suzuki 90 that puts out same amps but can't find the chart for low rpms since I normally cruse at 5-6 knots.
My Honda 50 with 10amp charge doesn't cut the mustard
I am looking at 2 week min. cruises in future.
Dave

DaveB I keep forgetting about that mod....The survival food goes into a 63 quart frig. running on DC current /or AC.
as I hope to be sailing your waters "This Year ?" I am thinking Cold beer is of greater necessity than Auto Pilot ... unless I find some unbelievable "deal" $$ on an autopilot??? Yes I agree, coolers tend to be heavier and a Lot More Cumbersome than 6 gallon fuel tanks..

[mastreb]

DaveB I keep forgetting about that mod....The survival food goes into a 63 quart frig. running on DC current /or AC.
as I hope to be sailing your waters "This Year ?" I am thinking Cold beer is of greater necessity than Auto Pilot ... unless I find some unbelievable "deal" $$ on an autopilot??? Yes I agree, coolers tend to be heavier and a Lot More Cumbersome than 6 gallon fuel tanks..

Do what I do, and switch to a beer you can drink warm--much more efficient! Guiness FTW

[pokerrick1]

I recall, while slipped in Marina Del Rey, getting tired of fueling at the expensive fuel dock and deciding to use a 5.5 gallon refill tank to top off my 12 gallon Tempos. After two trips carrying the full 5.5, spilling at least a quart each time all over the cockpit and breaking my back - - - I returned to the fuel dock and just paid the price

Rick

PS After all, I must have used at least two three gallons a month getting out of my finger before I shut off the engine and sailed to the Ocean

[ChuckieTodd]

Actually, I'll be trailering the boat until my other sailboat sells. This morning I lifted ( ) the completely full 12 gallon tank onto the boat by myself. This was certainly no fun. I'd like to fill them on the boat but I always heard that plastic fuel tanks must be filled on the ground.

[seahouse]

I was asking myself this same question just recently- how do I get the filled fuel tanks up into the boat – use the boom with a sling maybe?

I think the “rule” the OP is referring to is about not fueling up unless the tank is on the ground for reasons of safety from fire and explosion (ie static electricity), which has been mentioned in another recent post.

The aviators on this forum will be familiar with this situation, as it has historically been the cause of numerous mishaps not just with automobiles, but with airplanes, as aircraft generate and retain very high voltages (tens of thousands of volts IIRC) from friction with the air (yup- the triboelectric effect again). A separate ground cable is always connected from the fuel truck to an aircraft before refueling for this reason. Of course the aviation industry has much stricter controls over safety practices than the automobile or even marine industry, which are less risk-averse.

In some jurisdictions (mine inter al.) it’s illegal to fill a portable fuel tank that is not resting on the ground or otherwise properly grounded. Meaning that you shouldn’t fill a gas can in your trunk for example, but should remove it and set it on the ground first. It’s a good idea to prevent heavier than air fumes from being captured as well, and there will be less damage from spillage. This would apply to refueling a boat on the back of a trailer too.

But I have witnessed people filling spare gas cans in their vehicles, and the gas station attendant has done nothing, either out of laziness or inadequate training.

I would think that if you had your feet on the ground and placed your hand on the side of the tank, then touched the metal part of the nozzle to the outside of the tank, to dissipate the static charge (the spark would happen there, not in the neck of the tank) and then proceeded to fill, that you should be safe.

So it seems that as of this date there has not been a refueling fire on a Mac?
Or we’d have heard about it here.

[jschrade]

Airplanes are metal - Guer ... Gor!!! Fueled the C130 many times (don't tell the airforce guys the Navigator did this!)

You are going to generate a spark with a plastic fuel tank how?

It would really suck to overfill the portable fuel tank in your car.

Placing the tank on the ground is meant to prevent spills.

Jim

[SkiDeep2001]

Here is some info on fueling.http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/extension/ext ... ascan.html Hmmm, according to Snopes #(1) most of these fires are the Admirals fault http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/static.asp

[c130king]

I have a 12-gal tank...can't remove it because the fuel lines and fuel gauge sender wires are "permanently" installed. I carry a 5-gal fuel container to the boat to top off my big tank. On big trips I will fill the 12-gal and then take 2 x 5-gal fuel containers with me.

I have a funnel that I use when filling the 12-gal tank. The funnel has been "squashed" fairly flat and will fit on top of the tank and under the seat with it fully closed. My spills...when there is any...are in terms of drops rather than quarts.

I really don't think static electricity build up and release is issue with sailboat on the water.

When I plan to trailer I try to optimize my fuel useage so that the 12-gal is close to empty when I pull the boat out of the water to reduce weight aft.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[K9Kampers]

Placing the tank on the ground is meant to prevent spills.

Like this...

[Russ]

Actually, I'll be trailering the boat until my other sailboat sells. This morning I lifted ( ) the completely full 12 gallon tank onto the boat by myself. This was certainly no fun. I'd like to fill them on the boat but I always heard that plastic fuel tanks must be filled on the ground.

WOW!

I had a hard time lifting mine out with a few gallons in it. I'm impressed.

Well, as you now know, just leave 'em in there. I stop at a gas station on the way to the ramp and top them off.

[rwmiller56]

I have 3 of the 6-gal tanks. I fill them at a gas station, and transport them in the bed of my truck, so they can vent. The biggest pain is hauling them down the dock ramp at the marina. This can be a challenge at low tide when the ramp has a steep angle. I haul them in a dock cart, but have to be careful to not let it get out of control on the ramp. Gas tanks overboard in the marina would not be a good thing

Roger

[Crikey]

I was in a local gas station (every pump occupied) when a guy dropped a full six gallon portable he had lifted up to the cockpit of his trailered powerboat. Everyone scattered in their cars but me as I was afraid to turn the key with the huge waft of fumes from the split tank. I just stood of to the side and kept my fingers crossed!
If you've ever thrown a half inch spark from your knuckle to the door handle, on a charged car (with cheap tires), you'll understand the 'grounding' rules a little better.

[mallardjusted]

jscrade: You are going to generate a spark with a plastic fuel tank how?

I think the link above has info on why, but here is another source explaining why the container is best on the ground:

"Filling: When filling fuel containers, always place them on the ground. This reduces the chance for static electricity sparks ....... Static Electricity: Static electricity is one of the worst enemies of gas and other fuels. Because so many things can create static this is always a danger especially when filling portable containers. Make sure to keep in full contact with the gas line when filling the portable container ... "

http://www.ehow.com/list_6006566_portab ... -tips.html