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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Gas tank storage...?

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leesorenson
Deckhand

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USA
18 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/10/2010 : 18:44:23

Hey guys... Where do you store your gas tank when finished for the day? I have been keeping mine in the cabin but I really have no other idea at the moment where to keep it...

Cabin with fumes or haul it home... Your thoughts on this?

Thanks, lee

Lee Sorenson
Soffiami via!
81 25' Capri Hull 225
Lake Norman North Carolina

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2010 : 20:57:54

Hi Lee... The Cat 25 and 250 have dedicated lockers (or shelves in ventilated lockers) for tanks, so that's generally not an issue. In your Capri, I would just be sure to close the tank vent so it doesn't emit fumes. Then remember to open it...

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/10/2010 : 22:03:30

Possibly run a cable lock through the scuppers and under the grip and leave it in the cockpit? If the Capri has a dumpster, you could build an epoxy coated compartment with a vent to the cockpit, but that would be a major project. Tough issue.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 07:46:49

If you have a tarp or cabin-top cover that extends over the cockpit, say about half way, just put the gas tank under the cover right next to the companionway.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 13:40:29

I'd leave it in the cockpit. Cable it to something if needed.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 16:24:58

I have the older C-25 model with no dedicated fuel locker aft of the dumpster. I have kept the fuel tank in the cockpit for years.

But today after coming in from an overnighter, I decided to fill it up from the spare tanks, close the cap and the vent securely, and stick it in the cabin. My reasoning is this is the start of the boating season around my marina, and I want to check out the new clientele and the construction crew for the new restaurant before I leave stuff out that's easy to grab. Our marina is open to the public, unlike half of the marinas on the east coast or the west coast, it seems.

About the fumes, I have no automatic electrical equipment other than the solar-powered Nicro vent fan, so I am not concerned about an explosion caused by gasoline fumes.

I plan to make a white sunbrella cover that can act as a sun shade for the gas tank in the cockpit. The closed gas tank expands and contracts a lot in the sun, and my previous fuel tank eventually cracked open from the constant stress of summer day temperature swings. I also plan to keep it pretty full to make less space for gas vapors.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 17:21:34

I'd be concerned about the effects of direct sunlight on the tank if stored in the cockpit - have you considered asking Catalina about storing the tank? Having a builder still in business is a great advantage of owning a Catalina...I have taken advantage of their helpfulness and approachability.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 20:17:44

It doesn't take just direct sunlight to cause a fuel tank to expend, it takes only heat. If your cabin gets hot enough, the tank will pressurize even in the cabin. Kping it full should help.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5904 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2010 : 20:58:50

Capris are designed for racing, and racers usually carry a small outboard, such as 4-6 horsepower, that they can easily unmount after they have motored out to the race course, and stow near the keel, while they race. They usually don't use a separate gas tank. The motor has a small internal tank, which is big enough for their purposes. That's why Catalina didn't make provisions for a fuel tank. The ideal arrangement would be to have a small motor like that which can alternatively be connected to an auxiliary fuel tank, when you want to go cruising. That way, you could store the tank at home, and only bring it to the boat when you want to go cruising. I wouldn't store a fuel tank inside the boat, not only because of the risk, but also because of the smell.

If you want to keep a tank on the boat, and have a concern about theft, you could use an inexpensive tank, and leave it in the cockpit, chained and padlocked to the boat. The chain and padlock aren't foolproof, but they'll stop all but the determined thief with the foresight to bring a bolt cutter.

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leesorenson
Deckhand

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USA
18 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2010 : 23:21:42

Thanks for all the input guys...

Not really wanting to leave it out in the cockpit although have not completely ruled it out either. 6hp johnson does not have the self contained gas tank and have no plans to purchase another that might.

Currently leaving it in the cabin but that may change soon. Hauling it back and forth from home is out of the question so... I guess I am still right where I started...!

Sometimes there are no real solutions but leaving it in the cockpit may be the best... Not real concerned about a 25.00 tank if it came up missing but more the hassles if it did! Probably need to look a little better around the marina to see how others with the o/b secure their tank but nobody is really sailing much except myself.

Thanks again, lee

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 04:03:43

http://www.atomicmall.com/view.php?id=253487

Maybe you can get one of these in green, put a bio-hazard sticker on it and tie it to the rail. ( Urine Sample, University Hospital in small lettering )

I'd never leave a gas tank onboard. nada, not never. We usta leave the plastic cigarette lighters in the car in Florida and then around August it would get so hot they would explode. Pretty funny, you'd wonder what happened to your lighter, and then find the pieces when you cleaned up the car.

You could leave a gas tank anywhere around our marina and it wouldn't be stolen. Everybody has several and nobody is gonna trust pouring the contents into their tank.

Anywhoo.. sounds like a fun project, I'm sure there are many solutions.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 04:28:51

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/12530?&cid=chanintel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=12530

The Dingy Mate tank looks like it would work, if you wanted to throw 100 bucks at the project. I don't know if it is too wide, or if it is lockable, but it might be an option.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2010 : 04:39:02

http://www.justgastanks.com/store/

JGTs has a mountable tank but it is another $75-100 or so for a tank and mount. Does not look lockable, without drilling the handle and adding a lock, but that looks like an option.

Anybody used any of these??

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