Carrying fuel

[pij27]

I want to know how people carry fuel for small outboard? I have a 4hp and usually just use the built in tank, topping up from a 5lt can. Wonder if be better to decant into 1lt bottles, same size as tank, and then just top up completely each time. Or is it better to use a 5lt can and a funnel?
Any thoughts.

 

[VicS]

Generally I have just filled the OB tank at home but when I've considered I need to carry more I have used a 5l plastic petrol can.
I always use a funnel with a filter gauze when filling the OB tank

Whatever you use be sure it is suitable for petrol. Any old plastic bottle could be a dangerous choice.

 

[pij27]

Looked at 1lt metal fuel bottles that can be used for camping.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have used 5 litre plastic fuel cans with a flexible spout for years without problems. I always stow them so that the cap is upright.

 

[KevinV]

I've found there's a real difference in how different shaped cans pour - the square, squat ones are awful for glugging and dripping, taller more rounded ones pour nicely.

I tend not to bother with spouts or funnels, they always seem to have spiders in them.

1liter fuel bottles for a small outboard seems like a great idea to me - easy to carry, easy to pour, no chance of overfilling.

 

[wonkywinch]

I've found there's a real difference in how different shaped cans pour - the square, squat ones are awful for glugging and dripping, taller more rounded ones pour nicely.

I tend not to bother with spouts or funnels, they always seem to have spiders in them.

1liter fuel bottles for a small outboard seems like a great idea to me - easy to carry, easy to pour, no chance of overfilling.

I think 99% of people pour fuel and oil out of containers the wrong way. Turn the container around 180 degrees so the spout is at the top and it will flow more smoothly as you can adjust the angle so the air can go in as the fuel/oil comes out at the same time, thus avoiding any glugging etc.

 

[[70521]]

I have been looking at YouTube over the last few days where people have been adapting their outboards to run on an external tank. Looks a good idea to me as you can hook up a 20ltr tank and no more faffing with fiddly 5ltr cans.

 

[KevinV]

I think 99% of people pour fuel and oil out of containers the wrong way. Turn the container around 180 degrees so the spout is at the top and it will flow more smoothly as you can adjust the angle so the air can go in as the fuel/oil comes out at the same time, thus avoiding any glugging etc.

View attachment 193363

I'm not in that 99%, but still find square cans are almost impossible not to glug or drip without a spout

 

[johnalison]

I have used 5 litre plastic fuel cans with a flexible spout for years without problems. I always stow them so that the cap is upright.

I have several, that have been used over the years on the boat and for the mower. For light use, I have a 3-litre can that is handier in the dinghy, and leaves less fuel around to go past its start-by date.

 

[lustyd]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00XG5OD3Q

We have 10l Jerry cans which I decant into a 5L for ease of use with the generator or outboard. I then also have a fuelfriend as per link which is 1l to top up the outboard. The little spout is much better for pouring and it also fits on the 5L can.

 

[thinwater]

I use 0.75 L camping bottles for the alcohol stove, because it's common to fill it in the cabin. Place the tin in the sink and there is zero chance of a serious spill.

When I had a 3.5 hp outboard with an internal tank we used a 6 L can. Seemed easy, with the right spout. If you need a funnel you have the wrong can. I use old school non-CARB cans for lawn equipment, and I have a Surecan for my boat (15 L tank).

So nice. Never spill a drop. 10 ml accuracy (I also use them in the lab to fill test containers, before topping off with something more sensitive).
SureCan

 

[Minerva]

We use a green can with spout - never had an issue. Each time we get in the dinghy to go ashore we take kill cord, paddles, wee 2.5kg Bruce anchor and the green can of spare petrol. Doesn’t take up any meaningful room in the tender and saved the bacon a couple of times now.

 

[ylop]

If you use Aspen fuel they sell a nice flexible spout that fits their cans.

If you are going to to fill 1L tank with 1L bottle you are either going to run out at the most inopportune moments or be left with bottles with small amounts in them.

 

[boomerangben]

I have an 11ltr external tank which lasts all season and probably enough to fill the lawn mower for the last cuts.

For a 1ltr easy to pour container try a 2 stroke mixing container like this (from Amazon)

 

[Sandro]

I have one of theese but I find some issues. the petrol mark should be a little higher, in the small section, not same level as the top of the large section. The plastic is not transparent enough. One always needs another larger bottle for shaking and mixing the oil before pouring in the motor tank. Oil and petrol don't mix properly shaking a full bottle.
Thus I don't use it and measure instead petrol with a plastic milk bottle (1 litre) and oil with the cover of old Esso half litre oil bottles that happens to be just 1% of a litre.
Two covers for one bottle is 2% or 50/1 and so on.

 

[Mark-1]

I have an 11ltr external tank which lasts all season and probably enough to fill the lawn mower for the last cuts.

For a 1ltr easy to pour container try a 2 stroke mixing container like this (from Amazon)

View attachment 193376

I have two of those. I don't trust the marks for mixing but they work fine for storage. The seals disintegrated after a year or two but I was able to source replacements of roughly the right diameter and material from a plumber's shop.

 

[sarabande]

2 stroke motor or 4 stroke ?

I have still to come across a 4hp OB with 1l tank, usually about 3l.

Next time you are passing an agricultural / farm shop, go in and look at the chain saw department, specifically the fuel tanks sold for 2/4 strokes motors. Designed for secure holding of mixed or plain fuel, with definite non-spill containers and vented pipes.

Try here, Stihl, or Husquvarna build professional fuel cans

Amazon.co.uk : stihl fuel can

 

[pij27]

Thanks for information

 

[steve yates]

2 stroke motor or 4 stroke ?

I have still to come across a 4hp OB with 1l tank, usually about 3l.

Next time you are passing an agricultural / farm shop, go in and look at the chain saw department, specifically the fuel tanks sold for 2/4 strokes motors. Designed for secure holding of mixed or plain fuel, with definite non-spill containers and vented pipes.

Try here, Stihl, or Husquvarna build professional fuel cans

Amazon.co.uk : stihl fuel can

Thanks for that. The stihl transparent cans and one of their solid non spill spouts looks like they will solve a problem I didnt even know was solveable.
Mainly transferring fuel from the four spare green cans to the 12l remote out oard tank in the wee boat in a pitching sea.
Hopefully no more rags wrapped around a crappy plastic spout
Relatively expensive at first impression but pennies if it allows safer storage and transfer. I hate petrol, carrying 30-40l of the stuff around in my stern locker always makes me uneasy.

 

[boomerangben]

The bottle suggestion was for an easy pour rather than mixing.

I have one for my strimmer and it works great, 10 years on. Filling to the top of the wide bit is slightly tricky but I’ve never found mixing a problem. Turn upside down and shake. Turn right way up and repeat. I think there’s a bit of leeway when it comes to 50 to 1 and the bottle I have seems to have served my strimmer well over the years