posted 02-21-2005 07:05 PM ET (US)        

It seems that the safest, workable situation suggested in that thread was to pick up a couple of portable 12 gallon tanks. That way the installed tank could be kept full (no condensation issues) and we could run off the portables. Every so often of course we'd use the installed tank's gas, then refill it to keep the gas in there fresh.

posted 02-21-2005 08:04 PM ET (US)            

Jack, I understand your point. I can't lift 90 pounds, but my husband is a wiry guy and can do it easily. We're picturing leaving the main tank about half full (since condensation isn't an issue) and periodically using that gasoline to keep the gas in the tank fresh. I'm also picturing a fitting arrangement wherein we could switch from the portable tanks to the installed one, thus running out of gas wouldn't be an issue.

posted 02-21-2005 08:44 PM ET (US)            

I have 2-13 gallon, and 1-27 gallon, tanks I sometime have on board (not at the same time) in addition to my inboard 40 gallon tank.

I trailer the boat so it is easy to refuel. By having a little extra fuel I can leave it in the water for 2 to 3 days of fishing or travel longer distances. I burn out of the small tanks, then remove the empty tanks from the boat at the end of the day.

posted 02-21-2005 10:49 PM ET (US)            

Question?
Do your engines have "Quick Dissconnects" on them now?
If not, then you might want to check your engine manual on the use of these.
Many 150hp engines and above want you to use a solid connection.
This is due to the higher volume of fuel running through the lines along with more pressure from larger fuel pumps.

Check your manual or with a mechanic that know your engines.

For my 1985 Evinrude 150hp, there are NO "Quick Dissconnects"...
These are Not Recommended for 150hp and above OMC's.

posted 02-21-2005 11:47 PM ET (US)            

Joe :)
Thank you for bringing that up. I will look through my owner's manual again, though my usual reaction to reading it is frustration with the lack of detail provided therein.

posted 02-23-2005 10:19 PM ET (US)            

As for plumbing the 12 gallon tanks into the main system, that will get interesting. I have a "3-way" valve on my 15' Sport to swap between my two 6-gallon tanks and the engine.

Since I have recently been troubleshooting my own fuel delivery problems, I can tell you what I know. If you go the "quick connect" route, you will want to plumb a vacuum gauge into the fuel delivery (suction) hose near the engine to determine whether you are starving the engine. OMC recommends no more than 5.5" of mercury on the V4 engines, and not more than 7" of mercury on the V6 engine fuel inlet hose. Yamaha should have a similar specification which you should pay particular attention to when running from non-factory tanks. OMC specifies 3/8" I.D. hose is "required" for V6 engines.

posted 02-24-2005 09:10 AM ET (US)            

Here is more food for thought.

When fueling portables tanks (not in a boat) at a gas station, you want to remove them and put them on the ground. Don't get back in your van after starting to fuel.

I recently saw a story on tv showing several people fueling cars where static electricity started a fire. In one segment, a person started fueling using the clip on the nozzle to auto-fill and then went back and sat in the car.When they got out and touched the nozzle, Woosh!.

There was a guy with a pickup. He had plastic gas cans in the back. When he touched the nozzle to one of the tanks in the bed, Woosh! (The tanks slid across a plastic bed liner on the trip to the station building up a charge.)

To get around your wacked Marina -

Buy a caddy with wheels. Buy a large duffle bag or similar size bag to camoflauge the caddy. Cut holes for the wheels and handle. Go off motoring and transfer fuel away from dock into your main tank.

For the weight issue, get a set of those aluminum ramps so you can get the caddy in and out of your van.

Don't forget the cost savings of buying gas on land vs marina.

I trailer and fuel at a local station and save $0.50 or more on every gallon of gas.

posted 02-24-2005 11:57 AM ET (US)            

I'm curious. I think this discussion is in California (Sheila) and I'm wondering...what is the price of fuel at the gas station and what is it at a marina in Califirnia. And is there much of a difference across the U.S.?

posted 02-24-2005 12:27 PM ET (US)            

I wanted to compare to Canada's prices in the Toronto area. Today's gas pump price is 80 CAN cents a litre.

1 US gallon = 3.78 litres
1 CAN $ = 1.24 US $ today

posted 02-25-2005 05:38 PM ET (US)            

Why not just pull the boat out when she gets low on fuel and drive it to a gas station to fill up, then re-launch when done? I am certain that the time and trouble spent doing this will be less than messing with the "portable" 12 gallon tanks for those same trips - not to mention the safety factor mentioned by several above.

I guess I must be missing something here.

Also, it is a general restriction with most marina's I've seen that you can only take on fuel at the fuel dock, as this is the only area equipped to detect and deal with spills.

posted 02-25-2005 05:56 PM ET (US)            

I admit that I smoke cigars while I fish in the open waters with my Montauk. I have been told that I probably should not smoke when I carry 2 additional fuel tanks when I run for tuna.

My 2 cents.

posted 02-25-2005 06:18 PM ET (US)         

Tempo make a 3-way selector valve, which can be mounted so the handle is exposed and accessible. This allows an engine to draw fuel from either of two tanks, based on selector position. In most cases, it is inserted in the fuel line coming from the main tank, just before the water separating filter. One position thus selects the main tank. On the other selector intake fitting, a portable fuel line is clamped on, with a tank connect on the other end. This is then plugged into a portable red tank, and that line is selected for draw. When not being used, this aux fuel hose is coiled up under the gunwale, transom deck, etc.

If it is not necessary for the aux tank fuel to be drawn through the filter, the Tempo valve tap can be done between the filter and the engine.

posted 02-25-2005 10:07 PM ET (US)            

Kidd, last time we were at the fuel dock, we waited 20 minutes and no other boats were there. The operator explained that he was on an important phone call. It's strictly "full service," which would be fine, except that by the time the boat was filled, he was on another call and we waited another ten minutes for him to take our money from us. I wouldn't object to a premium price if the service were even mediocre. My husband, however, while generous, is, um, frugal. And he's willing to expend some effort to save some money. We've had the boat out twice so far this week, and I'm sure we'll be out again tomorrow, so the $1.00/gallon difference could add up over time.

posted 02-26-2005 12:52 AM ET (US)            

--Danger of personal injury, death, and loss of 'Little Whale' caused by fire during transportation of gasoline or when fueling at the dock from small containers.

--Angering the powers that be (and perhaps some of your neighbors) at the commercial dock; possibility of losing your slip.

--Extra hassles on board re the fuel delivery system; possibility of breakdowns at sea are increased.

--Loss of that GOOD weight below if you don't keep your regular tank pretty much filled up.

--Big WASTE OF cruising/fishing TIME for relatively small savings.

I'm not always very good at doing a realistic cost/benefit analysis about my boating habits; in fact, I impulse buy stuff I really don't need, sometimes run all over the place looking for fish when I should just be quietly trolling along in one location with my lines in the water, often pay a mechanic for fairly simple diagnostic and repair work I could easily do myself, etc. But one thing I know for sure...my TIME on and off the water is much more valuable than the cost of fuel, all other things considered. I'm glad I don't have to deal with your annoying and relatively expensive problem, but in context of the other costs of boating, especially with a large boat such as yours, I think I'd try hard to ignore it as a somewhat costly nuisance, buy my gas at the inflated marina prices, and just enjoy the ocean.

A real alternative would be to look around for a decent used trailer and an old beater $4000 V-8 pickup, and as several folks have suggested above, just haul your boat out every couple of weeks and fill 'er up for a more reasonable cost. Having a trailer opens up all kinds of possibilities perhaps more important than gas prices, such as saving substantial bucks on haul-outs, bottom painting and hull repairs, occasional trips to distant harbors, and long term dry storage if necessary.

posted 02-26-2005 02:31 AM ET (US)            

Tony, when we see you at the rendezvous, perhaps you can work your gentle persuasion on my beloved husband. I am the household correspondent. I am also content to just accept the fuel dock situation. He's the one who's all ornery about it :)