COCKPIT LOCKER STOWAGE

[Rigger]

Am I being foolish in stowing the outboard petrol container in the same locker as the Eberspacher heater is located?There is no possibility of direct contact,but if there were sufficient fumes could that result in an explosion risk?

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[boatless]

Yep, slight chance, most people keep petrol in their anchor lockers.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Vara]

#1 YES
#2 YES
But we've all done it!/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>If it can't be fixed with a lump hammer dont fit it!

 

[LadyInBed]

Yes, self-draining anchor or bow locker is the place for it.

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[LORDNELSON]

I would not keep my petrol can in a locker which may connect with the interior of the boat and which does not drain vapour overside. A self draining anchor locker sealed from the boat is OK if large enough to allow seperation of the can from the anchor chain/rode; if not, there may be a chance of the can being snatched and ruptured by the chain/rode which might make you unpopular in your anchorage/marina (perhaps a notice in red by the hawse pipe/locker door might help ("remove petrol before anchoring"!). I keep mine tied on deck, so far it has not been stolen.

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[LadyInBed]

I wouldn’t like to leave a petrol can on deck exposed to sun, heat, uv etc. unless it was well shaded.

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[gtmoore]

I have the same problem with stowage of petrol and am a bit stuck with our boat. It has no anchor locker as such - just an anchor well with the chain disappearing through a hawse pipe. My main cockpit locker isn't self draining - the gas locker is but there's no room in there with the two bottles and I seem to remember reading somewhere that you're not supposed to keep anything else in gas lockers anyway. I don't have a bathing platform or anywhere else to keep it and also am unsure about leaving it tied to the mast due to getting hot in the sun.


<hr width=100% size=1>Gavin

 

[LORDNELSON]

Interesting point; what do you feel are the dangers of leaving it in the sun, heat, UV etc. ?

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[Benbow]

Coded boats often store petrol in a wooden box clamped on the outside of the pushpit. Works well until the 1st mate rips it off against a wall in a parking session epic.

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[LadyInBed]

Re: sun, heat & UV

I reckon it goes something like this:
When swished around by waves, fuel will evaporate into any air space in the container, the plastic container will be heated up by the sun, the fuel vapour pressure will expand the softened container, etc, etc. Your 5 ltr container will now hold 6.5 ltrs /forums/images/icons/smile.gif or maybe /forums/images/icons/frown.gif The UV will tend to make the plastic brittle. The container will end up going pop, or maybe even BANG /forums/images/icons/shocked.gif


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[LORDNELSON]

Re: sun, heat & UV

Well, its a cogent theory. Have been doing it for the last four years without any bangs todate. Will obviously have to think about it. Do you remember the old cars with running boards which used to carry a 2 gallon metal petrol container on the running board, they must have got pretty hot?

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[LadyInBed]

Re: sun, heat & UV

Yes, when I was writing my last post I wondered if you might be using a metal container, but dismissed it as, they are now not common and have rust problems at sea.
I don’t think the same rational applied to metal containers, didn’t they have a small vent hole in the cap? So, no expansion problem and obviously, no UV problem.

PS how much does your can hold now compaired to when new?

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[LORDNELSON]

Re: sun, heat & UV

I have an old metal can in my garden shed; will look at it and see if it has a vent hole. my recollection is a heavy brass cap and no hole but will confirm. The plastic ones I use on my boat seem to be about the same size as when purchased. I use two, a rectangular one for outboard mixture which expands to have kind of puffed outsides when it is really hot and then reduces when cold and one of a kind of triangular section (for the generator) which seems to be stronger and to not distort (or is of an inherently stronger design section). I do not think it is possible to measure the increase in volume of the cans because they did not come with a level mark for their stated 5 litre capacity.

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[LORDNELSON]

Re: sun, heat & UV

Heavy brass cap to prevent sparks being struck, no pressure relief hole.

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[squidge]

Re: sun, heat & UV

heat on its own unless extreme will not cause petrol to combust. I have known of petrol being boiled with out it going bang. but dont try this at home! A spark or naked flame will do the job very nicely.
If you keep the container full there is less chance of a problem , a little fuel in a large container = lots of space for vapour = bigger bang.

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