Spare Gas Canister

[Martine Brucheau]

Is it safe to carry a spare Gas Canister on the Boat?
I am new to the whole Boat Theme, so This is why I am asking. Thanks

Also what are the items I should have on the boat for safety as well as boat protection (coast guard approved)?

p.s I know the basic, just want to be sure I purchase what is needed, I am on a shopping spree

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Spare Gas Canister

perfectly safe if kept in the open, and if you are careful in enclosed areas. people do it all the time. just secure it so it doesn't tip over and have the top tight so it doesn't splash.

a tank left in the sun will swell; best to have them vented or the top loose when sitting still.

when the question is askled there are typically responses that make it sound as if you are carrying unstable nitro glycerine. Tain't so.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Check the boating laws and regs for your local area to see what safety items are required. My biggest expense and issue is having the proper size life jackets available for everyone on board. Just getting 6 or 7 one size fits all won't cut it even though it will pass inspection. Not on the required list are ....
Printed Map of the lake showing marina locations, services available, and a list of phone numbers for them.
Cell phone charger and Zip lock to put the phone in.
Extra Sun Tan lotion that stays in the boat

 

[Martine Brucheau]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Thanks guys, anything thing else?

 

[agallant80]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

I keep a 5 gallon can on my boat for the generator. Just make sure its secure and the lid is on tight. You will have to crack it every now and then to vent it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

more details about your boat, motor, etc

storing an extra 6 gallon tank for an outboard and switching to it is nothing... carrying the gas can you use for the lawn mower COULD be a bit more risky as SOME of them don't seal as well AND hanging off of the side of thew boat trying to pour it in while wakes from other boats rock you COULD be quite risky....

Not saying it can't be done but we don't have enough detail here to properly answer the question.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Id say go for it and as long as its secured down and has a tight top no worries! Just vent it every once in a while. I keep a extra 2 gal can in my Sea Nymph and its a non issue as far as safety is concerned IMO. I also have carried that can on my snowmobile and its a hell of a lot rougher then a boat is with no issues. Just dont smoke when filling up or something stupid like that.

As for safety gear you need a life jacket for everyone on board, a throw-able cushion that is CG approved, fire extinguisher, working horn or whistle. Not required but also good ideas are a GPS, Compass and a good map, aerial flares, and a signal mirror. If you are on saltwater I would def bring a good amount of freshwater along also.

 

[garbageguy]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Highly suggest taking a local boating safety course. You'll get specific info on required safety gear for your area, and a lot more. Boating is great, but you want to be safe, and you are responsible for the safety of anyone on board. Other suggestions for what you may need can be better given if we know what your boat is, what you plan to do with it, and what waters you'll be in.

 

[Martine Brucheau]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Thanks for all the info, I am in fact taking a boating safety course in the next few months, but wanted to get a head start since I am currently out shopping. I am taking the course with the local coast guard auxiliary here in Sacramento. I prefer it as opposed to the online course.

I have a 95 Glastron SSV 175, and the gas tank I use is metal, I have one on each of my trucks also from 4 wheel parts. here is the link, I have both the red (gas can) and blue (water) i carry 1 of each on my trucks and want this for my boat

Garvin Industries Part 34102 - Gas/Water Can Holder - 4 Wheel Parts

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

I would caution against doing this in an I/O boat. The can may release fumes under certain conditions and those would be introduced to the passenger compartment and then likely the bilge. IF you feel the need to carry extra fuel it would be a pretty simple modification to set up an outboard style quick disconnect or better yet an y valve at the fuel pump inlet and use a portable OR better yet permanently installed marine fuel tank for your reserve.

Not saying you CAN'T use a portable gas can but that a tank with a hose is a BETTER solution for minimal cost....

BTW the rough use on a snowmobile, while a good point to the can being tough is totally different... with a snowmobile, the sled is always motionless while pouring gas and there is no bilge compartment to fill w fumes or worse yet gas if there were to be a spill.

Above it was mentioned to regularly vent the can.... the problem is that every time you do you are venting it INTO the boat.... a permanent tank will be vented overboard

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

I suppose you could spill while filling the boat but I really dont see how it would be much different then filling from a pump on the water while the boat is rocking and over filling the tank which happens all the time. The fill hole is on the outside of the hull so any spillage will be in the water not in the boat. An O/B tank wont be any better than a gas can unless you run a hose from the vent.

Are you more worried about it venting into the boat? Simple Just pull the tank out to the deck and vent it, then put it back. Or strap it to the deck somewhere.

As for sleds. Well its a PITA not to spill do to the location of the filler hole even at the pump. Lots of splash back once you get to the top.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

the difference is that at the pump you are tied to a dock or a trailer and you aren't standing in an awkward position using both hands to support a 40 lb can of gas

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Spare Gas Canister

you have a 17' boat--is it really necessary to take up the room and add weight with 5 gallons gas? Already cramped with the engine box. Maybe one gallon...

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Guess I'm really old. Back in the day when motors had a little tank mounted right on the motor we had to fill it up from a gas can several times on a typical fishing trip. In those days nearly everyone had spare fuel cans on board and a lot of us are still here.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Is it safe to carry a spare Gas Canister on the Boat?
I am new to the whole Boat Theme, so This is why I am asking. Thanks

Also what are the items I should have on the boat for safety as well as boat protection (coast guard approved)?

p.s I know the basic, just want to be sure I purchase what is needed, I am on a shopping spree

Ayuh,.... How far ya plan on goin',..?? Hawaii,..??

Yer 3.0l, 'n the boat's tank oughta give ya a Days worth of boatin', without carryin' extra gas,...

Dumpin' it into the tank-fill, while bouncin' 'round on waves ain't so easy either,...

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

OK guys are we missing this? OP is a newbee.

1. Golden rule on gas 1/3 out, 1/3 back, and 1/3 in reserve..
Sure there are lots of reasons for extra gas, do you have a REALLY good one?

2. Do you have a spill-proof way of transfer???? (as others have pointed out)


3. Fire hazard. Fire on water is way more serious than on land.
(Fire extinguisher: I'm required to carry two. Both are over sized to reg. plus a bucket stays on the boat.)


Georgesalmon

Guess I'm really old. Back in the day when motors had a little tank mounted right on the motor we had to fill it up from a gas can several times on a typical fishing trip. In those days nearly everyone had spare fuel cans on board and a lot of us are still here.

Yep, we survived just fine. :lol:
You do have to admit that pouring gas on/in a hot motor was not the smartest thing to do.
That's why the bucket on the boat, old lessons learned.

4. Now with the EPA rules you're looking at a fine.
EPA started in 1970, now it has 17,000 government workers. :doh:

huts

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Guess I'm really old. Back in the day when motors had a little tank mounted right on the motor we had to fill it up from a gas can several times on a typical fishing trip. In those days nearly everyone had spare fuel cans on board and a lot of us are still here.

I too had an old 5 hp motor with a built in tank and had to refill on the water but I, like you, also had a small OPEN hull... no enclosed area for fumes to be contained..... you can burn gunpowder all day and it's pretty boring, but put it in a container with a lid and BOOM

Also our small open OUTBOARD hulls didn't have an electric starter, spark plug wires or distributors in the bottom of the hull either

apples n oranges

also, don't forget that nobody here said that you CAN'T do it just that there is a definite risk and that there are safer ways to increase range AND that if you don't NEED to increase range then don't bother

it would be a pretty silly to have a 5 gallon can of gas in a boat that will never use much more than half of it's onboard fuel tank in a day aye?

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

The one I carry is only 2.5 Gal and I don't use it to go farther, I use it to make sure I get back.

Just a few weeks ago we were out fishing on a chain of lakes that we are familiar with and after it got dark the fog rolled in out of no where, you couldnt see 20ft in front of you. It took us a couple extra hours to find the launch and we were very close to running out of gas. 2.5 extra gallons of gas would have been a lifesaver had we run out.

In my SN when I first got it, I ran out of gas about 1 mile from the launch on the river. I just didnt realize how fast a older 55hp would burn through a 6gal tank. My trolling motor crapped out about a half mile from the launch. I had to leave at some random dock and walk about 2 miles back to my truck since there was no direct path through the woods. Again having a little extra gas would have really saved me that night.

 

[Martine Brucheau]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

Guys, thank you all. This may be my first boat, but I do a thing or two here and their. I do however know about the many dangers that a gas canister or administering gas in your boats tank while on the water may present unfavorable results. What I was trying to ask or say, is it unusual to do so? The guy I bought the boat from said the 95 Glastron Mer Cruiser 3.0 can go 12 hours on a full tank of gas. If thats' true, than I won't need it right? or does that apply to the conditions I may be running the boat, "full open throttle" or cruising speeds?

If I had to administer gas, I would pull to a docking area or small sand island, turn off boat, vent the boat before and after , disconnect battery, than use my syphon gun that administers the gas safely in the boat with no spillage at all.

However, many of you are right, If I am not going out all day, than the extra gas is just dead weight taking up space. I don't boat at night and find nothing excited about loosing two of my close friend who died, trying to dock their boat in rough current only to fall over hit head on something hard/sharp and under they went forever. So I and my wife agree that although this can very well happen doing the day, at least we can be seen and one can spot the other, but never go out on the water at night, never.

Thank you all, I appreciate your input and advice.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Spare Gas Canister

yeah it's pretty unusual.... My friend with a 3.0 in his 18'er usually gets gas once every 3rd or 4th boating trip... unless you're running full throttle from sun up to sun down you probably don't need to worry about extra gas... you also MAY find that there is a fuel dock somewhere nearby on your favorite body of water... gas is more expensive on the water but for the extra $2-4 you'd pay it's not a deal breaker.