Petrol in Cans

[Bigplumbs]

The Fletcher 19 GTS has a 100 ltr tank in her which with the 3 ltr Mercruiser should be good for about 100 nm. I was wondering if people tend to keep a spare can or so of petrol on their boat. I have plenty of space but not sure that I like the idea much. If you do what sort of can do you keep it in

Dennis

[Ianfs]

Hi Dennis

I've always kept a 5 gal (20 litre) Jerry Can on board regardless whether it's a sportsboat or a cruiser and whether it is petrol or diesel. I know I may be a little anal when it comes to unnecessarily carrying too much fuel when the passage plan says it should not be necessary but??

I have had the scenario where we have been within 10nm of fuel but have not made it for one reason or another, or in my case FOG and is there enough in the tank?

Low on fuel and cold it seemed that we ought to empty the Jerry Can into the tank in order to heat the cabin, when the forecast for the morning was good.

It worked, consequently I've always carried one. Doesn't mean you should though!

[Matt13]

For the last round the island forum trip I carried a 20l Jerry can secured in the cabin. Glad I did as due to the sea state I ended up using more fuel the expected and had to fill up in a quiet bay near Bembridge. Got back to home marina pretty much running on fumes.

For normal quick trips out I don't bother with any extra fuel.

[annageek]

On the odd occasion we carried one or two 25l jerry cans as extra in the central under-deck lazarette. There was nothing to secure them too, so the best we could do is wedge them in with fenders to keep them rattling around. Never liked the idea of it though ,and unless we HAD to, we would never keep them on board. Plus, there's the small fact that re-fueling a 19GTS (with its side mounted filler cap) is basically impossible unless you're on a pontoon or in super still water and have a good syphon, (or Polarn pump - as we used, which worked well).

In the end, I designed a 186L (the biggest I could get to fit) tank and had it made by Jaye Wolfe, who did a good job for about £500. Took major surgery on the boat to fit it in, but was a lot safer / more practical than cans. For us, it's the best thing we ever did to the boat. Most of the time we just make small trips (25miles or so), but it means we only have to refuel every 4th or 5th outing, and we have a safe cruising range of about 120 miles still with plenty spare.

[Bigplumbs]

On the odd occasion we carried one or two 25l jerry cans as extra in the central under-deck lazarette. There was nothing to secure them too, so the best we could do is wedge them in with fenders to keep them rattling around. Never liked the idea of it though ,and unless we HAD to, we would never keep them on board. Plus, there's the small fact that re-fueling a 19GTS (with its side mounted filler cap) is basically impossible unless you're on a pontoon or in super still water and have a good syphon, (or Polarn pump - as we used, which worked well).

In the end, I designed a 186L (the biggest I could get to fit) tank and had it made by Jaye Wolfe, who did a good job for about £500. Took major surgery on the boat to fit it in, but was a lot safer / more practical than cans. For us, it's the best thing we ever did to the boat. Most of the time we just make small trips (25miles or so), but it means we only have to refuel every 4th or 5th outing, and we have a safe cruising range of about 120 miles still with plenty spare.

A Jiggle Syphon is the thing when you are refuelling on the water. Ebay have them and they are very cheap.

How much fuel will you have to carry in your new boat

Dennis

[TorbayRob]

Always carry a spare 10L can as minimum and on longer trips a 20L Jerrycan too. In recent years I've tended to drop the boat in for a week at a time and thus usually empty all the spare fuel into main tank at the end of the day. I then take the cans and refill for the next day rather than pay marina prices - plus they're usually closed when we leave in the mornings. More recently, I've used a removable 25L tank as spare in addition to the 60L fixed tank as it allows a completely separate source of fuel (boat is outboard) and thus in the event of contamination, we can still get home.

[shibbs]

I carry 3 x 1 gallon cans as spare, they slot nicely and securely under the deck in front of the main tank.
I have needed them in the past too! ( it was when my fuel sender wasn't working though and thought I had more than I did)

[BruceK]

A good idea to always carry emergency fuel. Two things though. Don't use the metal cans. They rust quickly and stain the gelcoat. A good plastic one is prefered, however the volatiles quickly leach out of plastic... no the fuel does not go off... so use with a good fuel stabilizer or get in the habit of topping up the boat tanks with it and then refilling on a reasonably regular basis. At least twice a season say.

[annageek]

How much fuel will you have to carry in your new boat

New boat? I never said anything about a new boat I may have implied it, but that's a different story

[Ianfs]

Like I say, for us it was a problem with no perfect solution. Having said that, this may all be about to change very soon!!

They're giving up the boat,
She's pregnant,
Getting married,
Buying a Caravan,
Moving abroad,
They're fitting Sealegs,
Never going near a beach again,
They're buying a Rib,
.............................................................................................................