Index

Gas Tank in the Port Locker - No fumes in the cockpit.

Housing the tank in the port locker has many advantages;

• The relatively constant and cooler temperature in the locker minimizes fuel expansion and associated fumes.
• Fumes can safely vent outside the hull through the vent line.  "I have never smelled fumes in the locker, regardless of the outside temperature."
• Having the tank in the locker frees up the cockpit floor and the cockpit drains can function at full flow.
• The weight of the tank is further forward which helps fore/aft trim.  It is also further to port which helps to counter balance the starboard outboard.
• Having the tank secured to the locker false floor is a major safety improvement over a loose tank in the cockpit. 
• UPDATE 1 - The strap shown above does not hold the tank secure enough for my liking.  It is also difficult to secure the buckle.  For this reason it was replaced with a 2" wide Velcro strap that holds the tank snug.  See photo below.

When I bought Panache the 2.5 US gallon tank shown below was located inside the port locker but it did not have an external vent.  This configuration was actually in compliance with the US Coast Guard regulation as stated on the safety warning label on the underside of the locker lid.  Really!!  And so many people smoked back then!

NOTE - IIRC, the US Coast Guard regulations on fuel storage ventilation, did not apply until some time in 1980.  If your boat was manufactured prior to this date then storing the tank in the locker was legal.  However, the new regulation likely replaces the old one and besides, what possible reason could you have to keep from upgrading to a safer configuration? 

The only saving grace on Panache to remove gas fumes from the port locker were two transom mounted air scoops that provide passive ventilation.  One pointed forward and the other aft.  I think the second owner installed them for this reason.  While these vents do an OK job of venting the locker, they CANNOT evacuate heavier than air gasoline fumes, hence the hidden hazard.  Some nights it was impossible to sleep on the boat as the fumes would leak into the cabin when it was dead calm outside.  It takes quite a strong breeze to vent the locker free of fumes through these transom vents.  More on these vents in Tech Tip C19. 
Gas fumes have a way of attracting mosquitoes too!  Why does this always happen when you are trying to have a good time?

WARNING - Gasoline fumes are highly flammable.  Under certain conditions, they ARE HEAVIER THAN AIR and extremely  explosive.  Therefore, if you store your gas tank in the port cockpit locker, the tank MUST be vented to the outside of the hull through a gasoline approved hose that goes through a vapour tight bulkhead fitting, sealed at the hull.  In addition, NEVER fill the tank above the "safe fill level" to allow for expansion.  This is commonly defined as not more than 90% for a portable tank.  Don't rely on the fuel gauge as it isn't accurate enough.  Use a dip stick.

CONSTRUCTION - Panache's gas tank is secured to a flat floor that I previously fabricated for the port locker (Tech Tip B03).  The floor works like a charm.  The fiddles on the false floor were fastened snug around the perimeter of the tank and the tank is held tight to the floor with a 2" wide Velcro strap.  It is imperative that the tank is secured.  The 2.5 US gallon portable tank shown below was not equipped with an external vent fitting so I installed a right angle brass fitting through the top of the tank.  It is located within finger reach of the gas line fitting (temporarily removed to install the vent) so I could tighten the nut on the inside with a wrench.  The fitting is sealed with a gasoline rated gasket for a gas tight seal. 
CAUTION - Since I have no desire to join the heavenly hosts before my time, I drained the tank of all gasoline, rinsed it with hot water and used an air hose to dry it, BEFORE drilling the hole.  To catch the metal cuttings I stuffed a wet rag inside the tank and folded it over itself to remove it with all the cuttings inside.  This may seem like a lot of precautionary efforts but they are necessary safety measures when working with gasoline fumes.

FUEL VENT - This thru hull vent is manufactured by Outboard Marine Corp (OMC) and is equipped with a flame arresting wire mesh.  It is installed high up on the port transom to keep water out and behind the boarding ladder for protection.  The vent holes are pointed down to keep rain, dew and snow out.  The vent hose is pushed over the barbed fitting and secured with a hose clamp.  I used 1/4" ID gasoline approved fuel hose between the fuel vent and the tank.  You can just see the vent in the photo above. 
PS: The top of my transom looks a bit ratty because I was resealing the trim at the time.

SUPPORT FOR FUEL LINE - The fuel line is continuous to prevent a leak from a loose connector.  It is fed through the transom via a nylon through hull fitting installed high on the starboard transom (shown above).  This is close to the outboard where it is convenient to pump up the line pressure to start the outboard. 

NOTE: DO NOT install a bulkhead fitting through the transom to pass the fuel line.  You run the risk of leaking explosive gasoline fumes inside the hull without knowing it, should the connector come loose.  Always use a continuous hose from the tank to the outboard and support it for its full length. 

On Panache the gasoline, tank vent and propane hoses are supported on a continuous sloped wood trough so water can't be trapped in a sag to block flow.  The trough is made from a wood hockey stick handle and an equal length of wider spruce screwed to the inside wall of the port locker, near the top of the locker.  Together they create a channel about 1" wide and 1.5" deep.  See sketch above and photo below.  The hoses rest there, fully protected and supported without flex.  The hoses are also secured in the trough with tie wraps to prevent them from popping out.  Securing the hoses became necessary when I added a third hose going to the propane locker on the transom.  You might think it a foolhardy installation to mix propane and gasoline but a hose that is protected and secured inside a trough is infinitely superior to one getting beat up at the bottom of a locker full of loose gear.  No support is required between the aft end of the trough and the transom. The gap is very short.  However, the gasoline hose is supported across the transom with a rubber lined clamp at the top gudgeon bolts as shown at left. This trough and the hoses in it are serviceable on the water.

CONCLUSION - Is it ever nice to breathe fresh air in the cockpit when the tank is vented outside the hull.  It was immediately obvious that this installation worked but it took several weeks to rid the cabin of lingering gasoline smell.  I can now sleep at night.  After the tank was vented outside I have never smelled gas fumes in the cabin or cockpit, regardless of the direction of the wind.  Fact is, I never smell gasoline fumes around the vent so the cool locker is doing its job as well.  The security while sailing in rough weather with the tank tied down cannot be overstated. 

BACK TO SMALLER GAS TANK (2018) - I abandoned my larger 5 US gallon tank after using it for 7 years.  It blocked my access to inspect the drain hoses under the cockpit and I could not lift it out of the locker without first removing the fuel fittings, something I didn't realize during installation.  This was obviously a self defeating and time consuming job.  It is more important to inspect those hoses than to have a long motoring range.  So I reverted to my 2.5 US gal fuel tank shown here and secured it to the false floor with a 2" wide Velcro strap.  This strap is far easier and quicker to fasten than the buckle shown above having a pull tab on the end.  I also added an inline fuel filter (just out of camera view).  When I have to extend my motoring range I will use my shaker hose to siphon mixed fuel from a jug resting on the cockpit seat.
UPDATE 2 - I may replace my shaker hose with one equipped with a squeeze bulb to siphon gas from a jug into the tank.   For winter storage I would use it to siphon fuel out of the tank to a jug on the ground.  I'm a bit tired of the spillage associated with this task.

The portable gas jug in the cool locker has never vented fumes.  It is pressure rated and since fuel can't slop around in a full jug it keeps venting to minimum.  If it does vent, I'll park it on deck somewhere with the cap tightened to keep water out.  This is something to consider if you have to carry extra fuel for a long transit, especially in lumpy water.  In that situation it may be safer to strap the jug to the shrouds or leave it in the cockpit.  (NOT during an electrical storm).

SAFETY NOTES:  

1. Under NO circumstance should you install a metal gas tank and a liquid filled battery in the same compartment.  Even if they are independently secured to the floor.  I know of three boats that burned to a crispy "well done state" because the "secured" battery slid against the gas tank, shorting out the battery terminals.  A reasonable sized deep cycle battery can easily supply 1000 amps through a dead short (i.e. metal gas tank).  This much power has the capacity to heat up the battery so hot you can't touch it and the current can heat the gasoline to boiling.   The whole works will blow up and burn with the first spark.  Given all this, secure the gas tank in one compartment and the battery in another, preferably on opposites sides of the boat so they counterbalance each other.

2. Another really stupid stunt is to carry a battery and a gas tank together in a wheel barrow to your boat.   I realize this may be an innocent labour saving thing, but think about it!  Do two trips.  That's it, I'm done ranting.
   

Return to Tech Tip Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Have a Question?