RE: [Cal_Boats] Gas Tank Installation

I have installed a 18 gallon Tempo plastic tank. The old tank was steel and was sweaty. I also fill by syphoning off a plastic 5 gallon jerry can. I can look into the engine compartment and shine a flashlight to see the fuel level. Randy Cal 2-29 Out Patient Channel Islands Ca ti… [at] ch2m.com wrote: I prefer the fill nozzle in the cockpit for my use – which is primarily a hundred mile motoring delivery to the ocean from Portland, then ocean sailing a thousand or so miles… and then the hundred mile motoring delivery from the ocean to Portland We have never had a water problem, getting past the O-ring – and have found the cockpit fuel location ideal. The reasons I prefer the cockpit sole fill: At sea, underway sailing, easy to manage fuel cans to fill. The opening is centerline and protected from elements, people are also central in a safer position than outboard locations. My Cal 9.2 has the fill nozzle up high in the aft quarter, I have to wrestle the fuel can overboard, spilling some fluid, and I am at flooding odds with a following seas to fuel while on starboard tack or downwind… picture hanging overboard trying to stay on board, while using two hands to steady the fuel can. At Shore, I have noted that the commercial docks that I get fuel from have very High flow nozzles. The fuel easily burps back. If the nozzle is “outside the boat” (like the Cal 9.2), then you have a spill to contend with. With the fill port in the cockpit, you can manage and cleanup any spills… if you must use the high flow nozzles. Because of the high pressure nozzle burping spills and to guard against water and contaminated fuels, we now refuel using Gerry cans. I can let the fuel settle, observe (and filter if necessary) before adding to the tank. Cheers, Timm Lessley 503.863.4019 Cell to cell calls From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Allen Edwards Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 9:53 AM To: je… [at] mindspring.com; Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Gas Tank Installation I am looking for a little help here. I am going to replace my galvanized perfectly good but 20 year old 18 gallon gas tank with a 12 gallon plastic tank. I have to take it out anyway for some upcoming work so seems like a good idea. The smaller size will allow me to fill the tank more then once a year. It can also fit completely under the cockpit sole so that it is no longer sticking into the lazzarette. The issue is that I calculate that I will have only 1 1/2 inches from the top of the tank filler tube to the bottom of the cockpit sole. Assuming I need 2 inches of overlap for the filler hose, this would give a gap between the deck plate and the tank filler of the thickness of the cockpit sole less 1/2 inch or 1/8 inch. Pretty tight but doable. (I could always put a small spacer on the cockpit sole if needed as it would not be too much in the way where it ends up wanting to go). But Joe's excellent article on Repowering Your Sailboat suggests that you should not put the fuel deck plate on the cockpit sole. That would give me two choices. 1) Move the tank out into the lazzarette like it is now so there is clearance above the filler tube on the tank. Water still flows over the filler up there on deck but maybe it isn't as bad. 2) Fine a very sharp 90 degree bend hose to attach to the tank. Trident makes this hose that they claim makes tight bends but I think my bend needs to be too tight. 3) Come up with another bright idea. #3 is where I am looking for ideas as well as opinions on the choice between 1 and 2 if 3 ends up blank. Allen