Refuelling Small Outboard with integral tank whilst on the water

[dartmoor]

Anyone got a safe recommendation of how to do this without spliing fuel either on the cowling or in the sea? My boat only uses a small outboard - but integral tanks tend to last not much more than an hour. Most of the time its fine, as I am sailing. But occasiobally have had to try and refill - and feel guilty at the inevitably spills!

Funnel is one answer - but downside is storage whilst making sure it is scrupulously clean so as not to send any dust etc into the fuel tank. One of my gripes is that small outboards also don't seem to have built in filters any more - and there is no room under the hood to put an inline one.

 

[Cardo]

?

 

[prv]

I don't usually spill any when filling the tender from a normal 5-litre plastic can with a spout. Are you trying to fill up from a full-size jerrycan?

The rolls-royce option would be one of these:

You put the bung in the neck of the jerrycan, then use the black bellows as a footpump to blow air in. The fuel is forced up the hose and out of the nozzle just like at a petrol station.

But maybe a better nozzle on the can would be sufficient.

Pete

 

[Cardo]

We use one of these for the diesel cans...
http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Eq...eps&IncVat=1&gclid=CNeUmaf46MMCFcXItAodaHkA_w

 

[Ripster]

We only use a plastic can with a nozzle and poke it well into the tank to avoid spillage if you are caught out and have to do it bobbing around. We tried one of these shakey pipe things but found it cumbersome and messy whilst in the dinghy.

 

[Ludd]

Use a can with a spout as already said, but what I also do is take the cowl off the outboard so ai can see the tank(transparent,as most are. )

 

[NickRobinson]

More for a tender than the boat, I use an aluminium 1ltr. 'SIG' bottle. No funnel needed.

I have fitted a dog clip to make sure its secure and attached a measuring cup so I could make 2s in the field without having to engage brain..

 

[mdonnelly]

I don't usually spill any when filling the tender from a normal 5-litre plastic can with a spout. Are you trying to fill up from a full-size jerrycan?

The rolls-royce option would be one of these:

You put the bung in the neck of the jerrycan, then use the black bellows as a footpump to blow air in. The fuel is forced up the hose and out of the nozzle just like at a petrol station.

But maybe a better nozzle on the can would be sufficient.

Pete

Had one of these. It was rubbish. Needed an extra limb to work it properly. Ended up binning it as I couldn't inflict it on another person. Bought a jiggle pump which is brilliant.

 

[dartmoor]

More for a tender than the boat, I use an aluminium 1ltr. 'SIG' bottle. No funnel needed.

I have fitted a dog clip to make sure its secure and attached a measuring cup so I could make 2s in the field without having to engage brain..

I like that suggestion as I don't really want 5 litres on board. Any issues with petrol and aluminium though?

 

[Lakesailor]

Don't feel guilty. It is a minuscule amount.

Commercial shipping is far more polluting than an eggcup of petrol now and then.

 

[dartmoor]

Don't feel guilty. It is a minuscule amount.

Commercial shipping is far more polluting than an eggcup of petrol now and then.

Well I am also moving to the dark side and adopting a four stroke 2.5 - so maybe that compensates

 

[knuterikt]

I use can designed for filling chainsaws, the spout has built in fuel stop and overfill prevention.

This can (have removed the oil container)

The spout - haven't checked if this will fit other cans.

Found these pictures here. http://www.abbeygardensales.co.uk/a...ns-and-mixing-jugs/showitem-EL-505698055.aspx

 

[ReefMagnet]

My 5Hp Yamaha has a built in tank and a connection for a remote tank along with a two way fuel cock. Problem solved

But when I have filled the tank up in a bobbing dinghy on a smaller outboard without the luxury of the remote tank, I use a container with spout like Cardo showed. If only half full or less, it's possible to top up without spilling a drop. It's a bit trickier when full, but still reasonably do-able. I find it more of a problem to prevent spillage due to overfilling as I find it hard to determine the level of fill as the tank fills. Anyway, an old towel wrapped around the filler neck of the tank help catch the slops before they make too much of a mess. Truth be known, however, I'll do a quick run to shore and fill up with the dinghy dragged up onto the beach a bit whenever possible.

For another suggestion, I have one of these....


...which works really well in a bit of a chop and can be used one handed. I've never tried one for the task in question, but I couldn't see any reason for it not to work.

 

[macd]

Any issues with petrol and aluminium though?

None that I can think of. Fuel tanks in cars, bikes, boats, planes have commonly been made of Al.

 

[NickRobinson]

I like that suggestion as I don't really want 5 litres on board. Any issues with petrol and aluminium though?

None at all. The plastic screwed stopper has swelled a little after two years use but still works, just a little stiff.

 

[Gordonmc]

Toilet duck bottles... (other brands are available).
Wash 'em out, decant the fuel into two or three and hey presto.
They can be turned upside down without fuel coming out of the spout. Squeeze to fill.
The child-safe top has a decent enough seal

 

[ghostlymoron]

I found the best way was to modify the fuel feed so I could use a remote tank. Had a three way valve selector and a plug in connection fitted for about 50 quid. Well worth it.

 

[prv]

I found the best way was to modify the fuel feed so I could use a remote tank. Had a three way valve selector and a plug in connection fitted for about 50 quid. Well worth it.

Only going to work if the motor has a fuel pump, though. Lots of small outboards with integral tanks only are gravity feed.

Pete

 

[aquaplane]

If you pour it carefully aiming in the general direction of the filler cap most of it goes in, but it's best to use the supplied spout and then all of it goes in.

If you take the cover off you can see how full the tank is so you can stop pouring when you get close to full.

What do you plan to use to store petrol apart from perfectly safe, type approved, 5l petrol cans?

 

[Redfox226]

I find one of these to be just the ticket - holds 1l push button to fill and no problems with fuel incompatibility:
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/trangia-trangia-camping-stove-p141013