Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

[jtexas]

15ft fiberglass boat, 5 foot beam, no back deck, no built-in tank. I carry 2 six-gallon portable tanks which are really in the way for the back-seat fisherman. Boat's 25 years old, so I'm not looking to do a major remodel, like building in a deck & putting in a permanent tank & vents & fuel filler. <br /><br />I'm looking for ideas for a raised platform of some kind so a fisherman would have a place to put his feet & maybe stand on, without it being enclosed enough to trap fumes & create a hazard. Need easy access to lift the tanks out to refuel & visually check fuel levels.<br /><br />I usually burn 8 or 10 gallons on a fishing trip, so I don't want to carry less fuel.<br /><br />It's really more of a major inconvenience than a big problem. Anybody else deal with this issue? any ideas?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[bayman]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

How about using a fairly flat fuel tank, mounted solidly. Build a frame for the platform. For the platform top you might consider something like King Starboard material that won't rot. That way you can drill plenty of holes in the Starboard so that you don't trap fumes (as you mentioned). You can put hinges on it so that you can open it up and check below etc...<br /><br />That's one idea anyway. I'd like to hear others too.

 

[deofc]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Jtexas, I have the same size/age boat and have thought of the platform thing also. Mine is a center console. The 2 six gallon tanks fit under the console, so that is where I normally keep them. There is enough ventalation so fumes building up is not a problem for me. Even there they are under foot when I am driving the boat. I have pulled the tank I am using out while under way and I have tried putting them further forward using a longer fuel line. In the end they are in the way somehow for somebody. Under the console seems to work best. One day I will get around to building the platform/footrest/tankcover. When I change out tanks (when one is low or empty) I usually pull it out and turn it on end at the back of the boat, it takes up less room that way. When I fish alone (most of the time) I fish from the front.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

bayman, A single tank would be twice the weight for lifting into the boat, around 75 lbs; I could do it but don't want to. And having a built-in tank opens me up to more regulation & safety issues, like having a fuel filler opening out on the hull so I'm not actually pumping gas inside the boat, also ventilation. And installing a gauge. I'd do all that but I just don't want to sink all that effort into this old hull.<br /><br />deofc, not a bad idea, I could probably move one forward; how long can a fuel line be for a 70hp outboard? Do you have some kind of conduit to protect it?<br /><br />Any ideas on framing for a plywood platform that would be open on the front end where I could slide tanks in & out? For example would a frame of galvanized pipe be lighter than 2x4 and would it support a 250lb passenger standing on it? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />jtw

 

[deofc]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Jtexas -- Sorry, don't really have any plans to share, when I do think about I am thinking of 2x4's and plywood or shelving board. Right now I just live with the tanks under the console. I have used a 10 foot long fuel line and didn't have any problems. I just ran it from the tank to the motor, no conduit. That would be a more permanent solution though. As long as there are no kinks in theline and nothing to sit on top of it it should work. Somebody here probably knows more about that than I do. Good luck with the frame and platform.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

jtexas, Why not build a seat over the tanks, You can route the fuel line under the gunwale, so its is out of the way.<br /><br /><br />You could also put the tanks in the bow and restrain them from sliding to the back. Again, route the fuel line under the gunwale to keep it out of the way.

 

[Jimmie.jazz]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

I like your idea about using galvanized pipe as a frame for a tank cover/seat/platform. I guess you could have four SS hinges welded onto one of the crossmembers so that you could have two separate access points (one for each tank) so that you wouldn't have to disturb one side's 'obstructions' to check the other. Don't know which way would be best for your application to mount the hinges, front or back. Wooden runners coud be screwed underneath the cover for strength. You wouldn't need to mate the rear shelf edge to the transom, you could leave an inch or two for ventilation, or saw some slots at the rear of the shelf. People will probably USE the area though, so you might want to put a small lip around the edges to keep tackle boxes, etc. from sliding off too easily. A single centered support should be strong enough to prevent bowing. Cool idea.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

chris, the front deck is intact & I prefer to avoid disturbing it. The "seat over the tanks" idea is more what I'm looking for. Better if I can raise it enough so you can see over the outboard when fishing. And even better if I get storage underneath.<br /><br />I'll have to cut out part of a dry storage locker that runs along the port side, to make way for a passenger seat, since when I elevate the back fishing chair it won't be safe for cruising speed.<br /><br />J Jazz, the legs would be 1/2" pipe bolted with flanges to the 3/4 ply floor, & could be attached to the platform the same way but I was thinking of using 2x4's at the top, so I could hang a couple joists and frame out the hatch covers. You think a single center support would be enough instead? Would 2x2s along the edges keep it from warping?<br /><br />The platform area would be about 45" (side-to-side) by 30" (front-to-back). I'm not using the term "deck" so I can feel okay about using "above-deck" tanks underneath.<br /><br />The tanks would slide in from the front, vs lifting out thru a hatch, and would take up about half the available space. Trim or railing on the floor to keep 'em from sliding around. The port side could have a hinged lid for storage. Could put in a partition, but probably will keep the whole area open for ventilation. Also a hinged cover on the back edge for access to battery, bilge & storage astern of the tanks.<br /><br />I ripped all the carpet out last year and decided I like it better without. This new platform will probably be exterior grade 3/4 plywood. What do y'all think: paint, or cover with fiberglass mat?<br /><br />thanks for ideas, guys, keep 'em coming!<br /><br />john

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

oops, double posted

 

[rwidman]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Check the Coast Guard regulations concerning portable vs fixed tanks before you do this. If you enclose them (even partially), they might be considered "permanent" tanks by the CG.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Okay, built the platform in the garage (boat is stored off-site). Legs consist of 1/2" galvanized pipe and fittings: floor flange, 5 inch pipe, tee, 4 inch pipe, floor flange. That gives me about 10 inches of clearance to slide the fuel tanks underneath. A 24" pipe connects front legs to back legs. Not sure that was necessary - takes up space & adds weight - might try it without.<br /><br />Add 4" height for the frame, plus half-inch plywood each for the the floor and deck, gives me total about 15" high platform, about 5 inches below the top of the gunwale. <br /><br />The 2x4 frame, 45" by 27" looks like this: <br /><br />

<br /><br />sorry for the crude drawing, no digital camera <br /><br />The black circle represents the chair pedestal. The back section will be hinged to open from the stern for access to bilge & battery. The red boxes represent the two fuel tanks and the grey square is the battery.<br /><br />The deck can overhang the front edge of the platform by an inch or two. I plan to leave a 2" gap between the back edge of the deck and the front edge of the splashwell, for ventilation.<br /><br />I think I've added maybe close to 200 pounds - hope I don't lose too much performance.<br /><br />I checked the USCG regs as rwidman suggested; 33CFR 183.620 applies to "compartments" containing "a fuel tank that vents into the compartment" or "a non-metalic fuel tank" (among others), "except for compartments open to the atmosphere". Looks like my newly created "compartment" has sufficient open space to qualify as "open to the atmosphere." <br /><br />I still think that with the framing and all I've created some areas under the deck that can trap fumes - think I should partition the battery?<br /><br />any comments appreciated. thanks!<br />jtw

 

[richg99]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

re fumes..get a 12 v blower designed for clearing bilges. I had one on a 27 sailboat. I had to run it for 5 minutes before I would start the boat... everytime! You can add under-way vents to clear fumes out if you think they might build up. Get a West Marine catalog and spend some time looking through the sailboat fittings sections to get all sorts of ventilation type ideas. Or, just look on-line at www.westmarine.com <br />RichG TX

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

thanks for the advice, richg, interestingly, I could only find a requirement for powered ventilation where you have a compartment containing a gas-powered engine with an electric starter motor, but I'm more concerned with safety than compliance.<br /><br />I have only the battery there as a possible source of spark but since it powers accessories plus cranking the outboard, a spark could be as random as a fuse blowing. Probability of an incident is most likely close to nil, but the consequences are harsh. Imagine flipping the livewell switch and launching your partner over into the next county.<br /><br />I'm thinking a spark shield between batt & fuel plus maybe a couple vents in the deck, like with those floor drain fittings.<br /><br />Anybody know of a good way to measure gas fume accumulation? If I call my friendly neighborhood fire station on a slow day, maybe they'd be interested in checking it out for me? Or am I just being paranoid?<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[rwidman]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Gasoline fume detectors are available from marine centers.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Fuel Tanks Underfoot - PROBLEM SOLVED

Put it together with drywall screws & got it in the boat for a lake test - took it out Saturday - works great!<br /><br />Now it's back in the garage I just need to tweak the dimensions a little, paint & reassemble - would outdoor deck screws work okay or should I get stainless steel?<br /><br />I'm going to partition off the forward section on the starboard side for storage & add a hinged lid, and close off the area where the battery is for safety. I'm also going to close off the area between the fuel tanks and the deck by adding a "ceiling," which will prevent fumes from accumulating there. I'll add a hinged cover there for a 4" deep bin.<br /><br />Not sure what I gained using pipe over lumber for the frame, but it's less wood to rot, less paint and/or fiberglass work, easy to assemble & disassemble. probably no weight savings, though, and not cheaper.