Adding a Fuel Fill Cap and Hose

[yorab]

Haven't found anything on this topic--probably because I don't know the correct terms to search for...

​I have a portable tank in my fiberglass tri-hull that is about 16 gallons. It fits nicely up under the splash well. When I need to fill up, I slide it out, fill 'er up, then slide 'er back. It's a bit inconvenient and the risk of spilling gas or oil in the boat is more than minor. I'm wondering if I could run a hose up from the tank and connect it to a thru-hull gas filler cap around the splash well area. That way, the tank can stay under the splash well and gas or oil would only end up on the outside of the hull in the case of a spill.

​Is this possible/safe?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... If you've got a portable tank, then No, ya can't mount it as a permanent tank,....

 

[blackd]

That looks like the Tempo permanent top side tank with the strap inserts (see the 4 depressions around top) for straps used in permanent mounting. It does not have the appropriate fittings to attach the external fill/vent fittings. It would strike me as easier and safer to replace this tank with a permanent below deck tank with the correct external fill fittings.

This is the tank I used when I upgraded my boat. Mounted as far forward as possible. http://moellermarine.com/moeller-ma...n-permanent-below-deck-boat-fuel-tank-032513/ E(shopper) shows this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moeller-FT1...709346?hash=item25dfee0a62:g:krgAAOSwL9hZim9-

IIRC it comes with the sending unit so what is needed is the wiring, fuel gauge, fill & vent hoses and hull connectors for them. These are not inexpensive, but safer than trying to convert a portable tank for permanent external fill use. A new tank adds flexibility for better location in the boat. Just size the tank for the available space.

Or just continue using your current configuration, and clean up the spills.

 

[yorab]

Hmmm...I'm not sure if I want to make a permanent installation, but I suppose that I just want a more convenient way to get fuel/oil into the tank. Perhaps just a filler cap on the outside of the hull, above the tank fill neck, that isn't connected to anything. Then, when I want to fill up, I can open that dummy fuel cap as well as the tank cap and put a funnel in there to connect the dummy cap and the tank. This would be very convenient and would keep any potential spills on the outside of the hull.
Yes? No?

 

[chevymaher]

Move the spills to the funnel going into the tank when it overfills.

 

[GA_Boater]

Making a fake filler and using a funnel will cause more spills when the tank overfills. And removing the funnel, even with a clean fill, will drip.

Pull the tank out and use the funnel for the gas and oil where you can see it as the tank is filled.

Or keep a paper towel handy for nozzle and funnel drips.

 

[blackd]

Yorab, "Hmmm...I'm not sure if I want to make a permanent installation,.." it's a tank type. It's your option on where and how it is installed. Just replacing your existing "portable" tank with a permanent style tank is an option.; Personally, I would strap that tank down since it is permanently attached to the hull via its filler and vent hoses. I also am not fond of the thought of a 100+lb unguided very volatile missile flying forward if the boat ever hit something.

 

[yorab]

Ok, I see your points. I didn't think of the overfill situation.

My current tank touched gas for the first time a few weeks ago, so I'm not ready to move on from it yet. When it comes time to replace, I'll look into the permanent style. Also noted on the straps. Do they make nylon webbing straps, similar to the battery box straps?

 

[blackd]

Sure. There are several styles.. Here's just one: http://www.iboats.com/Seachoice-Fue...91588071--session_id.581348674--view_id.47624 You could just go to Wally World and get some inexpensive ratchet straps also. Almost any metal straps are going to rust/corrode. So less expensive may be the better solution withreplacement every couple of years.