I should probably know this but.....

[jprasisto]

I recently "re-watched" my CG safety tips video that I've had for a while. I do this a couple times a year just to refresh. Anyway, I've always get this one wrong, when gassing up a boat with a removeable fuel tank why is it better to remove the tank, fill it up on land then return to the boat? I always assume that it's better to eliminate the steps of removing the tank and transfering it to the dock. Seems like more chance to drop, spill.... Anyone know why they say it's better to remove?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

Reduces the chance of spark from static electricity when placed on the ground. Used to be more important with metal tanks, when possible sparks were produced when touching the fuel nozzle to the tank...

 

[Solittle]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

Also if you spill some while filling the spillings (hay - new word - spillings!!) won't wind up in the bilge.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

If you spill in the boat and there's a spark or 'n sigarette bud, flying around for some reason you can blow up your boat ... so safety hazard ....

 

[Dead Eye]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

Coast Guard says remove before filling. For safety. There also alot of other good reasons.<br /><br /> Dead Eye

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

Good for you Rick!

 

[King P.V.]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

When filling a portable fuel tank, the vapors inside are displaced by the in-coming fuel when filling. As those vapors are heavier than air, they would just fall into the bottom of the hull and await a source of ignition. Not good! Permanent tanks have a seperate vent line that vents outside the hull and out into the atmosphere/lake, where the potential for ignition is less. So, portable tanks are supposed to be removed from the boat and filled outside the hull. Most portable tanks have a screw on top of the fuel cap that you "open" when using the engine, this allows air to enter the tank as you use up the fuel. Those vapors that may escape are , in theory, minimal compared to those displaced while you are filling the tank with fuel. Hense, a smaller amount of dangerous vapors to contend with.

 

[King P.V.]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

After all these years.... I'm still a cadet!!

 

[steelespike]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

Gotta tell this story.<br /> During WWII a friend and his squad were in a big house in Europe put some gas in a helmet splashed some on the wet wood in fireplace to get it going. Put the helmet across the room with the remaining gas in it.Suddenly as the fire burned it flashed across the floor and ignited the gas in the helmet.This caused the helmet to rock all most spilling the remaining gas and igniting the house.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

This caused the helmet to rock all most spilling the remaining gas and igniting the house. <br />

I guess it seemed like a good plan at the time......

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

"Now THAT'S a fire! <br />Charlie will be alright....just roll him around a bit.

 

[jtexas]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

So, theoretically, if I'm going to be trailering 50 miles after filling up, it'd be ok to fill the tanks in the boat? Theoretically, I mean. If my boat gets plenty of ventilation.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

It just isn't a smart thing to do because you can accidentally spill gas in your boat while filling it up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: I should probably know this but.....

open loose gas in a boat does not mix well,,,BOOM. as long as you cans are sealed, vents closed trailer on. portable cans and built in tanks are 2 different animals to deal with. when filling a built in tank, the fill tube is usually on the stearn and any spillage runs down the outside of the hull. the vents are usually near the fill tube, so if you over fill you know immediately, and it runs down the outside of the hull. filling cans in the boat spillage goes on the floor and into the bilge, thus BOOM.