Spare fuel can

lakelandterrier · 21 October 2016, 20:37

I've been wondering what the value is in carrying a spare can of fuel on shorter runs as standard kit. If I'm doing a run that will use more than 75% of my range then obviously I'd carry more but more likely in multiples of 20l, not a 5l can.

If I have a fuel problem, I'm not sure how 5l of extra fuel will help. Handy to help someone else who's run out. In any case but 5l won't get them or me that that far.

jeffstevens763@g · 21 October 2016, 21:00

On my rib I had a 12.5 ltr tank I used for the aux engine nice size to tuck away or hang on the A frame not a vast amount but a get out of bother

Poly · 21 October 2016, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I've been wondering what the value is in carrying a spare can of fuel on shorter runs as standard kit. If I'm doing a run that will use more than 75% of my range then obviously I'd carry more but more likely in multiples of 20l, not a 5l can.

but a spare is really for the cock up / miscalculation / misread the gauge situation rather than to get you more range.

Quote:

If I have a fuel problem, I'm not sure how 5l of extra fuel will help. Handy to help someone else who's run out. In any case but 5l won't get them or me that that far.

Well probably about 5nm, which a lot of the time will get somewhere ashore, although possibly not where you planned to go.

treerat · 21 October 2016, 21:41

I used to carry a spare tank on the older boat so that I could just swop the connectors and carry on, but the main was only 30 L. With this one I'll either carry a spare 25l or so or not bother.

With 80L on board most runs can be handled with plenty to spare or at least as enough to plan a fuel stop.

lakelandterrier · 21 October 2016, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

but a spare is really for the cock up / miscalculation / misread the gauge situation rather than to get you more range..

With a 90l tank, I'd never want to run lower than c.30l based on both fuel gauge and knowledge of my burn per NM, so getting anywhere close to that would scare me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Well probably about 5nm, which a lot of the time will get somewhere ashore, although possibly not where you planned to go

If i'd miscalclauted that badly,I'm not sure an extra 5NM wolud make much difference.

So it isworth carrying?

treerat · 21 October 2016, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

So it it worth carrying?

Nope.

jonp · 22 October 2016, 00:00

If you were running the 140 Suzuki in your bio then 5lt could push you 20km if you drop the rpm down to its lowest, if you ran out of fuel a short distance from home then 4500 rpm should give you 10 km on 5 lt according to these figures ( look under the performance tab) https://suzukimarine.com.au/outboard...product/df140a my last boat had the latest model 90 Suzuki which averaged 3km per lt.

My underfloor 100 lt fuel tank gives me a safe range around 300km with a Yamaha f70. However when I head to remote islands I take 6 20lt plastic jerry cans which cover me easely for a good weeks fishing. One place I fish is 47 km offshore where my run there and back the engine sits on around 5000 rpm, add a bit of pulling lures for tuna and I'm normally up for 120km for the day with a fuel burn of around 34 lt.

Love the economy of those little 4 strokes.

JonD

willk · 22 October 2016, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I'm not sure an extra 5NM wolud make much difference.

So it isworth carrying?

I ran out of fuel once while doing a "demo" lap on someone else's RIB. Hadda be towed in - 5L would have sorted me. I know a bloke that got back to Carsaig Bay on a 5L spare

IIWY, I'd carry a compact 10L can - more for peace of mind than from necessity.

ATM I tend to carry a 30Nm fuel reserve on deck - I figure that will see me out of trouble in most of the places I could run out...

beamishken · 22 October 2016, 08:40

There's plenty of boats ran out of fuel in the last leg into the marina where 5l would have got them back
Even if your several miles away and you run out 5l will probably get you to a place you can safely anchor while you await help which is far better than being in a fairway or shipping channel
I'd say for the little space 5l takes up its better than nothing at all

Starovich · 22 October 2016, 09:58

not so much due to running out of fuel run out of fuel, I take a separate can in case of dirty/contaminated fuel.

Poly · 22 October 2016, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starovich

not so much due to running out of fuel run out of fuel, I take a separate can in case of dirty/contaminated fuel.

Does the can have fittings on it or can you just add it to your manky tank?

Lakelandterrier it sounds like you have already made your mind up, but in my experience of Boats things don't always go to plan. Senders and gauges develop faults, engine faults might find you burning more fuel, towing a wafi can waste more than you expect, perhaps a different helmsman is less frugal or takes it for "5 minutes to drop off your friend at their mooring" at lunchtime but goes "the long way back at full throttle" without your knowledge. I know one person who never ran their tank low, only to discover that when they needed to, the position of the pickup pipe meant it couldn't get the last 25L out the tank if it was bow high when trying to get on the plane.

I think the perfect option is a small portable tank, I don't think anyone does a 5L one though? And if you do "lend" it to another mariner in difficulty a bog standard green can is easier to replace or exchange.

Still if you are certain you will never use it then it might be pointless... Sods law though means you are more likely to need it on any trip you don't bring it with you, and for that reason alone it would be a good omen to carry it!

ShinyShoe · 22 October 2016, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

I think the perfect option is a small portable tank, I don't think anyone does a 5L one though?

Why don't they. You are right there has to be a market for this. From what I've seen (but I may be wrong) most green/red/black 5 litre cans use a fairly similar if not identical cap. So would it not be possible to design a universal replacement with a pickup pipe and connector?

beamishken · 22 October 2016, 14:48

You maybe have something there ss perhaps patent the idea!
I'd imagine if you were stuck with a tank full of water or gunge and all you had was a 5l or 10l with no fitting you'd get by with removing the tank fitting and sticking the hose end in the can

ShinyShoe · 22 October 2016, 15:40

Well as I've now posted it on here its not patentable - by me or anyone else ;-)

wellhouse · 22 October 2016, 17:31

something like this, easy to remove and fill up away from the rib and connect up with quick release and a couple of switch over levers coming off your fuel filter for switch over on the move. There are cheaper ones than the links and smaller tanks but easy to use especially the tohatsu fittings

NEW REPLACEMENT EVINRUDE JOHNSON 22.7 L Fuel Tank Petrol Boat Outboard Motor 5 G | eBay
ORIGINAL OMC Johnson Evinrude Outboard Motor Engine Fuel Line + Connectors 2.5 m | eBay

lakelandterrier · 22 October 2016, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Lakelandterrier it sounds like you have already made your mind up

No, Mr Poly, I haven't made my mind up at all, and there have been, as always, some interesting thoughts expressed.

I've spent 10 years lugging a 51 can - not tank - of fuel around inthe console "just in case" and I was wondering "just in case of what"! as it wouldn't resolve a fuel contamination problem, and I've never run below than a 25% tank.

It is if nothing else piece of mind, and it is something to add before you think you migh run out.

Think I 'll continue to carry it

69cmw · 22 October 2016, 20:35

[QUOTE=lakelandterrier;733054]With a 90l tank, I'd never want to run lower than c.30l based on both fuel gauge and knowledge of my burn per NM, so getting anywhere close to that would scare me

I wrongly thought a new Ribcraft 585 came with a 180l under deck tank?
As that's what is on my quote from them.

Starovich · 22 October 2016, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poly

Does the can have fittings on it or can you just add it to your manky tank?

12L Outboard can, I can swap the hose onto the filter barb. I have also a reserve/main switch on the main tank i can fit the hose too.
Tank not disimilar to This tank

lakelandterrier · 22 October 2016, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69cmw

I wrongly thought a new Ribcraft 585 came with a 180l under deck tank?
As that's what is on my quote from them.

I think the "standard" tank on a 585 is 90l - that's what I have. I'm sure they do larger as well.

Starovich · 22 October 2016, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

I've spent 10 years lugging a 51 can - not tank - of fuel around inthe console "just in case" and I was wondering "just in case of what"! as it wouldn't resolve a fuel contamination problem, and I've never run below than a 25% tank.
:

You can always jury rig the fuel line from the front of the engine directly into the can.