Spare Gas

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frayedknot1955

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I have a friend with a 20' bow rider. He's going on an extended cruise and isn't sure where all the gas docks might be. Is taking a couple of 5 gallon plastic gas containers along as reserve a good idea? They would be stored outside of any compartments, inside the cockpit.
 
You didn't say if the boat is an I/O. It matters.

If he doesn't know where all the gas docks are, maybe he oughta find out.

My .02
 
Or strapped to the bow...securely. in case liquid or fumes escape, you must be sure they do not collect in the bilge, cabin or cockpit. Ventilation is key!
 
Be careful, the empty cans are filled with fumes and are more dangerous than the full ones.
 
I'll bet your friends name is Bob and he's going to Block Island!
 
The boat is a bowrider, so no cabin and no bow to strap the cans to. If it's an outboard boat, carrying portable tanks in the cockpit is reason to be cautious, but it isn't verboten IMO. Thousands of outboard powered boats run off 6-gallon portable tanks every day. All those tanks vent directly from the fill cap into the boat.

It's the reason I asked if the boat is an outboard. If it is, no big issue. If the motor is INSIDE the boat (I/O), portable tanks have no business being within the confines of the boat.

My .02
 
I would say that he should have the boat professionally surveyed, remove the floor and have a professional add a custom built Monel fuel tank in the bilge just for the trip.

I am just glad that you didn't ask about if he could run a Honda EU generator on his Swim platform as well as store gas there.
 
Yes, it's an I/O. Good point about outboards being ru all the time with those 6 gallon portables. I'll let my friend know the risks. Thanks!
 
I would say no to the 5 gallon cans and yes to the 6 gallon USCG approved portable tanks. He could actually plumb them in to the existing fuel line rather easily and the setup would be ready whenever he needed to use it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by frayedknot1955I have a friend with a 20' bow rider. He's going on an extended cruise and isn't sure where all the gas docks might be. Is taking a couple of 5 gallon plastic gas containers along as reserve a good idea?
Click to expand...


How much further will ten gallons of gas get him? It's been covered, but in general, it's probably safe on an outboard powered boat, provided he won't be cooking on the boat or using any appliances with an open flame, but it's not safe on an I/O or inboard boat that has the engine in a compartment.

Now I do have what I think is a constructive suggestion that hasn't been mentioned - Have your friend do some research on the Internet to find where the fuel docks are. That way,your friend can plan the trip with fuel stops in mind. That's what I do.
 
10 extra gallons should get him about 40 more miles. I't really just a peice of mind thing. Being that the season is almost over, and that the float plan is not set in stone, he's just looking to be prepared.
 
I once made a pickup tube that replaced the pour spout on a regular 5-gal gas can. When the can was empty we simply unscrewed the tube and screwed it onto another can of gas; it worked very well. Sure beat trying to pour the gas into the tank.
 
I have occasionally carried extra fuel in my bowrider (20 ft) in 5 gal poly tanks. These are the super store variety, red, etc. I store them above deck, out in the open, behind the drivers seats. If it makes you feel better about spills into the interior/bilge, pot them in an open topped Rubbermade container (large one for storing things). I have never has any problems.
 
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