Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

M

MercGuy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
195
I hope this is the correct forum for this question.

I have an 18 foot Searay with a Merc 115 outboard. Even though it's starting to get cool out I still like to go out on my boat.

Most gas docks are closing for the season. I would like to carry some extra gas on my boat. I can securely strap some plastic 5 gallon gas cans on the back of my boat. They would be on the swim platform, so that in the event of any leakage it would drain overboard.

My question is, is this considered to be a safe practice, and what extra safety tips does anyone have ?

Thanks.
 
G

gcboat

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 29, 2007
Messages
1,822
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

I guess the swim platform would be the safest place for them. Just don't fill them to the top - leave some room for expansion.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

if you are talking about jerry cans, and you are going to be pouring gas, No it is not a safe way. you can use the plastic, outboard tanks, that you just connect the hose to. no pouring, spill in boat dangerous, spill in water kills the wildlife.
 
AZMinyard

AZMinyard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
165
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

Agree with TD - no safe way to do it other than additional gas tanks.
 
W

wajajaja02

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 21, 2008
Messages
667
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

I bought two o/b portable tanks, 6 gals, make the fuel mix easy, and a spare fuel line that matches my o/b so its a easy connections on the go. At the final run just before trailering for the winter I put seafoam in the portable and run it thru the carbs.

Spilling gas in the lake will draw a hefty fine too.
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

The portable tanks and extra fuel line is the way to go.
Walmart sells them pretty cheap..;)
 
642mx

642mx

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
1,588
Re: Carrying extra gas - Safety concerns

On a recent boat trip I put a couple of 5 gallon cans in the front of my boat under the dash. My boat has straps to hold coolers and other stuff, so it worked great for the gas cans. As it turned out, I didn't need them, but its better to be safe than sorry I guess.
 
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