Petrol engine worries - to those who use petrol engines

Kerouac

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I'm looking at a small used second hand cruiser to get myself, missus and 2 small kids up and down the west coast based around wales,north west etc. Bit of overnighting/weekending.

I have a few boats in mind and thanks to the forum have a good idea of what I need.

My question is for petrol engine mobo owners - just how easy/hard is it really to refuel if you're away from your home posrt without a car ?

and what size fuel tank would you recommend?
Are there real safety concerns also?

Thanks

Tony
 

gjgm

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a well kept engine is perfectly safe;take whiff in the engine bay, and always use the blower b4 switching on. Older boats can be more prone to electics/damp issues. Fuel wise, they will be more expensive than a diesel, but cost less, and it somewhat depends of course on just how much and how fast you use it. Many people are perfectly happy withy petrol.
BUT, the one thing people get really fed up with, is not being able to refuel waterside locally. Lugging jerry cans around isnt anyones idea of fun. Of course, if its on a trailer, its down to Tescos for a refuel.
 

Sneds

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We don't have many problems buying petrol as our local marina has a pump!
If we are going in the other direction its jerry cans, bit of a pain but cheaper.

Sealine 215 for sale (petrol!) www.bristolyachtbrokerage.com

You could argue that diesel is more reliable, but I have only once failed to start and this was soon fixed.
I have now fitted an electronic ignition module from Coastal Rides, runs like a dream.
 

Kawasaki

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Snowt wrong with Petrol.
As such.
North West, North Wales there are not many Marinas with it "On Tap"
Means decanting is the Norm.
If you are Trail boating it ain't a prob.
If you want to be Marina based it becomes more tricky.
You mention You have a few boats in mind.
Gis a clue, We maybe able to help.
Safety concerns.
Lots of Americans use petrol boats.
I mean LOTS of them.
However they are geared up for it.
Petrol is available on the water all over the place.
So not as much dribbling about with cans goes on.
I don,t think cost and safety is a "put off" if common sense is used.
It's the convenience factor, that's always put Me off.
Lumping the stuff and faffing about pouring it and all that lark.
 

Nat

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I run twin petrol 5.0 V8s in mine & since fitting 2 electronic distributors with the coils intregated into the cap (bought from american car stores £100 each) the fuel consumption & performance is noticeably better. As for safety issues I regulary check fuel lines for signs of cracks or chaffing & also check ign leads for arcing (easy way is lift the engine cover when its dark) Granted its not quite as economical as my pals twin 200 ad41b's, but its much quieter & no diesel fumes.
Fuel is no problem for me every marina in Spain sells it.
In retospect although petrol boats are much cheaper I would not want to be carting cans of petrol down the marina evertime I wanted to use my boat,Mine holds 460 litres.. its a recipie for spillages & thats where problems start. So I think in England I would be buying a diesel.
regards .Nat
 

landlockedpirate

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I have always bought petrol boats, and with a little organisation fueling has never been a problem.

If the boats on a trailer, always fill up at Tesco/Asda etc. When cruising away from home I carry 3 jerry cans and an aluminium folding trolley and take every opportunity to fill the tank. With this method I've managed to cover the 4 corners of the UK and a chunk of the Med.

Conwy has a petrol pump anyway. I would love a diesel boat but for the type of boating I do it doesnt make financial sense. As mentioned above, use the blower and look after the electrics, have a decent (serviced) automatic fire extinguisher and its as safe as any other boat.

Mark
 

Kawasaki

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I realise now.
Your Avatar.
Parrot needed, cos One eye.
Needed to keep Pump Attendant in view whilst You sneek a few more Gallons in! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 

landlockedpirate

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At £1.25/l in Torquay last month I should have got a few more gallons for free.

Anyone tried a 'drive off' from a marina recently /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


Mark
 

ValleyForge

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Some marina's can be a bit sniffy about sploshing petrol about from cans into funnels, spillage, fumes etc. Also the adjacent boat owners (- the last refuge of the free smoker...) Understandable I suppose - so a syphon thingy might be a useful gadge. W'mere lost all its petrol pumps a bit back (or at least had as far as I know) & lugging jerrycans around ain't a lot of fun. The only problem I've ever had with an inboard petrol is with the flexihose twixt tank & engine - generally shielded, so difficult to check for the inevitable rot which can occur. Only for the older craft of course.
 

Its_Only_Money

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I've cruised both an 18ft cabin/90hp outboard and a 23ft 200hp sterndrive.

Both boats gave within a whisker of 3mpg so extrapolate for your own or proposed circumstances.

For the outboard run multiple (I had 4) 5gal/25L tanks, minimise spillage by swapping the tank end of the fuel line so no decanting of petrol between tanks needed (also provides firm indication of fuel usage every 5gal).

The 23ft has a 200L internal tank and a provision on the main fuel filter to take an outboard tank, if you need to carry jerries onboard then my theory is that you may as well have the capability to run off them directly so again no decanting (unless you need to fill the main tank). Main plus the three outboard tanks I can carry in the draining cockpit totals 260L or 57gal so range of 150Nm - which is more than I think I'll ever need!

If inboard then sensible safety item to me is an automatic sniffer in the engine bay that will alarm and run the engine extractor fan before any fumes can build up to a dangerous level.

Hope this helps, pm for more detail...
 
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