Carrying Spare Gasoline in a 195 Sport

C

cbjr

New Member
Sep 6, 2010
15
Albemarle Sound
Boat Info
2007 195 Sport
Engines
5.0 TKS
Hi,

I have a 2007 195 sport and we boat on the Albemarle Sound and like to explore the rivers - the problem is the rivers are quite long with no places to find fuel.

Does anyone occassionally carry a lot of extra fuel on their sport boats. I was thinking I could but 30 extra gallons (in 5 Gallon containers) in the compartments on either side of the engine if I can get them strapped down or contained securely.

Any experiences, solutions, observations, gripes or complaints?

Thanks,
Chuck
 
Chuck,
I'm going to guess that others will chime in and express safety concerns. That is my first thought as well. Beside the containers not being vented outside the engine compartment and the possibility of them breaking loose from being "strapped down", you also need to think about refueling the boat. Most likely on the water, with a funnel & 40 pounds of sloshing fuel in your arms.

My next thought is that if your engine compartment has room for 6, 5 gallon cans, then you have room for a small, but properly vented, plumbed & mounted fuel cell. Just for reference, I don't have room for even one 5 gallon container. I know we have totally different engine compartments, but 6? Yikes!

I hope you find a safe solution. Sorry but I don't think that this one is it.
 
I used to do it. However, the fuel was in USCG approved outboard tanks on an outboard powered boat. when one tank ran out, I switched to another. You may be better off mounting a 12 - 15 gallon poly saddle tank on each side and splice the feed lines to the main line with valves before the fuel filter/seperator. They would be there when you wanted them and would only add a few pounds when empty.
 
Don't carry the extra fuel in the engine bay. I have taken long runs in my 230OV when running into remote areas in BC. I've strapped a couple of extra red fuel cans to the transom.
 
I used to carry a few gallons of 2 cycle gas for the dingy in a red poly can strapped to the swim platform of my 300 SR. That worked fine. Might work for you if your swim platform is big enough. I would not put any extra tanks in the bilge. You are asking for trouble.
 
cbjr said:
Hi,

I have a 2007 195 sport and we boat on the Albemarle Sound and like to explore the rivers - the problem is the rivers are quite long with no places to find fuel.

Does anyone occassionally carry a lot of extra fuel on their sport boats. I was thinking I could but 30 extra gallons (in 5 Gallon containers) in the compartments on either side of the engine if I can get them strapped down or contained securely.

Any experiences, solutions, observations, gripes or complaints?

Thanks,
Chuck
Click to expand...

Chuck,

Instead of going through the troubles why not find different places to launch your boat and just break the trip in the legs allowing travelling enough distance by water without refuelling. Hey, after all, this is why your boat is pretty much mobile. If the rivers or other waterways you're about to explore have no fuel and no boat ramps, are you sure you need to go that far? What if you need some help for whatever reason?

There're many different ways to get from point A to point B. Safety is #1. So, pick your way wisely. I'm not saying that carrying extra fuel is not doable, I do it for my dink all the time. The question in your case is, is it worth the trouble since there're many different options?

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I let my friend haul it around on his canbot.:grin::grin:

Nothing goes in the engine compartment or side compartments that can go boom.
I have thought about using the vented tanks on either side of the engine bay and joining them together with tubing so the weight is evenly displaced when in use.
 
I don't think that this is a very good idea at all. Beyond all of the safety concerns expressed by previous responses I would worry about the volume and weight of the additional fuel. It appears that you and your family like to cruise, you should save your money for a cruiser with the ability to go longer distances. Best of luck!
 
Yes, ABSOLUTELY keep them out of the bilge!!!

Boats are anything but aerodynamic. I'm sure there are a lot of odd air streams coming around the aft end of a boat. My concern would be that fuel vapor would get sucked into the engine compartment. Running the blower may or may not make it worse since it's also helping to evacuate the air - on that, I don't know the answer - just a thought. But, the placement of the vents are designed in such a way to grab as much naturally "incoming" air as possible.

I'm not saying don't do it. And, I'm not saying the guys that have done it were wrong by doing it. However, this is one of those things where it "only takes once" for something bad to happen. We've all heard of boats being blown up after refueling by not using the blower. However, we also know that it doesn't happen every time.

To be safe, I would probably try to strap the tanks the furthest away from the intake portion of the vents as I could -- or at least the vent area of the tank where the gas fumes could come out. There will be fumes coming out since the tank's vent will need to be cracked to avoid the fumes from building up inside - plus you'll have the hot sun baking down on it.

Remember, this is not about "I've heard of others doing it so it must be safe" (that's not specifically directed at the above posters, by the way). Just be sure to think about it before you do it. Maybe I'm being over cautious - I mean the amount of vapors coming out, after all, is being drastically dispersed by the rest of the air. But, better to take any precautions you can since you won't get a second chance.
 
Last edited:
Where are you on the Albermarle Sound? I agree - marinas and civilization can be a bit sparse around some of the sound. I think you'd be fine with the gas stored in USCG approved containers and in an open area so the fumes wont build up.
 
tdappleman said:
Where are you on the Albermarle Sound? I agree - marinas and civilization can be a bit sparse around some of the sound. I think you'd be fine with the gas stored in USCG approved containers and in an open area so the fumes wont build up.
Click to expand...

Thanks all for your insight and comments - we are on the western end of the Albermarle sound, and really would like to explore the length of the Chowan, Cashie, and Roanoke Rivers.

I am now thinking that a couple of Moeller USCG fuel tanks permanently installed with their own external fuel filler and external vents with a manual valve to connect the three tanks together would work and be safe. there is a ton of space back there - all factory walled off from the engine.

Thanks Again,
Chuck
 
"I am now thinking that a couple of Moeller USCG fuel tanks permanently installed with their own external fuel filler and external vents with a manual valve to connect the three tanks together would work and be safe. there is a ton of space back there - all factory walled off from the engine."




as long as they are vented i would think it would be fine
( after all, that is were the original tank is )
 
USCG approved containers are approved only for the purpose for which those containers were designed. That means permanent tanks must be mounted as a permanent installation with proper connections and venting. The other type of approved tank is meant for use with outboard engines on open boats. USCG approval isn't a blanket okay do anything you want.
 
fc3 said:
USCG approved containers are approved only for the purpose for which those containers were designed. That means permanent tanks must be mounted as a permanent installation with proper connections and venting. The other type of approved tank is meant for use with outboard engines on open boats. USCG approval isn't a blanket okay do anything you want.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was thinking along these lines.

http://www.moellermarine.com/aftermarket/fuel_storage_tanks/permanent_tanks/
 
Strap a few outboard tanks onto you swim platform useing those cooler corner grip things. (I don't know what they are called) I have done that when heading out to a remote camp area with one tank JIC (and to haul gear) , out in the open, no worries about fume buildup, and not permanament. I have a hand pump to extract the fuel from that tank to the bilge tank if needed, no spillage.

The permanament second tank is a good idea but may be more costly....A bigger primary tank is an option but cause its own issues.

I get fairly good fuel economy in mine when simply cruising around but like to follow the third out, third in, third reserve rule and sometime need a few extra gallons to do that, especially hauling gear+people.

I need a bigger boat sometimes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,218
Messages
1,428,821
Members
61,115
Latest member
Gardnersf
Back
Top