Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

[jonmyrlebailey]

This is for long trips to carry extra gasoline for insurance.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Sure. Leave them empty.

And be sure to have insurance for the extra gasoline, as well as the other way around.

It's no different than carrying gas cans in a vehicle.

 

[jonmyrlebailey]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Armies mount 5-gallon cans on the back of jeeps all the time. The idea is to have them full under way. My engine will not run on air if it gives out of gas off shore.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Armies mount 5-gallon cans on the back of jeeps all the time. The idea is to have them full under way. My engine will not run on air if it gives out of gas off shore.

Ayuh,.... 'n yer boat, ain't a jeep....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Jon - it seems like you are wearing us out with your out-of-the-ordinary inquiries.

I do not think that there is a smart way of doing what you are thinking about, because there is nothing smart about carrying gasoline on a swim platform. Your best bet would be to plan accordingly, make the necessary stops in port, and also have a Sea Tow membership

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Ayuh,.... 'n yer boat, ain't a jeep....

as in a jeep is 100 times more likely to get rear ended than a boat, and therefore more dangerous?

Boats carry extra fuel tanks all the time. Any number of portable 6 gallon tanks; gas for dinghies; stove fuel. Putting them on the swim platform saves room inside, increases risk that they will fall overboard, does little to change the safety dynamics--trading proximity for exposure, but either way the chance of fire is remote. I'd carry them inside if it were me, and empty them into the main tank at the earliest opportunity.

We carry gas out to our island hunt club all the time for the trucks, other boats, equipment, etc. A 19' boat may have its 2 6 gallon tanks plus 3 jerry cans in it. no different than the back of a pick-up or inside a station wagon.

Like music by Wagner, it's not as bad as it sounds.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

imho,

Your best bet would be to plan accordingly, make the necessary stops in port

this seems like the best (safest) idea to me. i use this idea when i run the missouri river. i know where the marina with fuel is and plan accordingly. if i can't find fuel where i need it. i plan not to go there. 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 spare for emergency.
as for storing fuel in cans inside the boat. i've not brought myself to doing that (and i've wanted too to for extra range). fuel fumes that escape the can when stored in the back of a station wagon will smell bad, but not likely be a explosion hazard. in a boat the fumes can find there way into the bilge and become a explosion hazard.. myself. i'm just not willing to take this chance. fuel fumes concern (scare) me inside a i/o boat. so i end up resorting back to plan A. plan accordingly.

i don't have a swim platform. but if i did. i would consider storing fuel there. if i could come up with a very secure method of securing them to the platform and i felt the platform was solid enough for the extra weight and the pounding a boat takes in rough waters.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Well, they do sell a product specifically designed for this http://www.atlinc.com/rangeextender.html#FBPS1\

I know you mentioned bringing dogs with you though Jon, so this may not be a wise option.

 

[doyall]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Well, they do sell a product specifically designed for this http://www.atlinc.com/rangeextender.html#FBPS1\
...

Good idea if you have the deck space or a vented enclosure, need additional fuel on a consistent basis and have the connectors/hoses, etc. handy for quick changeovers. Otherwise, a 5 gallon (or however much) can secured to the swim platform with ratchet tie downs works quite well. Did that myself 2 weeks ago on a trip where no gas was available either en route or at the final location. Just DO NOT put the spare can in a non-vented enclosure!

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Well here in Utah I boat at lake powell frequently and ALWAYS have at least five gallons on my swim deck when I'm far out on the lake. If going to rainbow or up the San Juan I will take more. From Halls to Dangling rope its almost 55 miles, been there done that with no extra fuel aboard, wont ever do it again. I can put 20 gallons on the swim deck with no issues at all, easy to tie off and very secure. While underway there is no concern of fumes building up in the bilge, there are hundreds of boaters that do this everyday and I have never seen a park ranger have an issue with it.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Well, they do sell a product specifically designed for this http://www.atlinc.com/rangeextender.html#FBPS1\

Drug runner specials

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

My .02

As someone who used to run dual steel jerry cans on the back of one of my jeeps. The biggest issue after securing them is heat and venting or lack of venting. A non vented can will pressurize in the sun A vented can will guarantee that all you smell is gas fumes and will be expelling fuel with every bump and wave you hit.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

On some models, the manufacturer puts a BIG fuel cell in the center toon. I'm going to look into that.

Instead of 26 gallons on the port side, I would have 52 gallons in the center toon. Centered, lower, and twice the capacity.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Yep, it's done all the time. Just be smart with the fumes.

You can see the extra fuel tanks in the cockpit of this 47' sportfisherman. They were headed around the tip of Sandy Hook N.J., 650 miles to Bermuda. (No fuel stops on that trip.)

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

There is also the process of getting the fuel from the portable tanks into the main tank . . . the stability of the boat during this process . . . the potential issues if/when there is spillage, etc.

I believe that this question is being asked by someone with limited boating experience (Yes/no?)

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

This is for long trips to carry extra gasoline for insurance.

Since you don't actually own a boat, why not just buy a boat that has the required cruising range?

Grouse

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

Jon, I always thought the place to carry extra fuel tanks was strapped to the starboard and port bow rails of the cruiser. You would need some secure way to attach them, such they would sit on the deck and not move. When the main tanks are low enough to accept the fuel from the extra tanks, a long "shake-shake" siphon will transfer the fuel to the main tanks. Above the deck the extra tanks will have plenty of ventilation, and on most boats, if they spilled or leaked, the fuel will simply run overboard, which is a lot better that into the bilge.

For example, My buddy had a 30 footer with a 100gal fuel capacity. In order to go to the Jersey canyon to fish (70 miles), I calculated he would need 300G fuel, to allow the necessary 1/3 fuel in reserve. So the obvious answer was to switch out the two 50G tanks for two 100 G tanks and have two 50 gal extra tanks strapped to the bow rails. Run the main tanks down to 1/2, and then refill from the extra tanks.
Besides, we needed to strap the generator to the swim platform....

 

[carribbean soul]

Re: Is there a smart way to neatly mount one or two gas cans on the swim platform?

http://www.marinefuelbladders.com/pillow-tank-applications.html

here you go..