Saddle Gas Tanks

I had a 17 foot Arima with saddle tanks that were 10 gallons or so each. These were a shelf item ie did not need to be fabricated. Ad a filler point , a vent and fuel line and you are done. Tanks were about 5" x 6" to 8" X about 3' long.
 
Those look nice and also expensive and being pipe shaped are a less efficient use of limited space. The tanks my old boat had were made of the same plastic used for the main tanks on my Cdory. They could be mounted in or below the storage shelves on both sides of the cockpit of a 22.
 
I found this 29 gallon gas tank thru a search that some C-Brat member had made: I ordered them thru Tom at " Coastline Equipment Inc " which Dave ( oldgrowth ) had recommended. Ordered them with a : Vented Gas Cap ( fill right at the tank ). electric sender unit. and with a gas fill connector which includes a gas pick-up tube that lays on the bottom of the gas tank and runs towards the stern of the gas tank so i will be able to draw up the most amount of gas in the tank while underway.

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This will replace these two ( 1987 ) 12 gallon gas tanks that have broken down and left me stranded twice.

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Wanted to install gas gunnel tanks but the templet ( dimensions from Kevin's tank's ) that i made out of cardboard didn't seem to fit my hull. This new tank will probably fit my needs, if not there are always jerry cans...Tug
 
Just received my Gas Tank from Coastline Equipment..very nice.

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Here's a closer look at the sender..any idea's what wire goes where..nothing is marked. I suspect the bracket with the screw to the right of the sender is it ground and the ground wire is fastened to something on the deck..that leaves three more connectors on the sender itself. Is the centre connecter in the center of the bolt circle ( positive )..I'm not sure which of the two left is the negative and the last one i have no idea. Tug

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Center to the gauge plus. The one with the stud on it--to gauge negative. Generally there can be any one of the other tabs or screws which would go to vessel bonding. (not to battery negative).

However you have created a situation which is a bit away from the standard practice. That is you have a tank which is filled in a non self bailing cockpit. Thus fuel fumes will linger in the cockpit and potentially into the cabin. Gasoline fumes are denser than air and will pool in the cockpit. This is why the gas fill is outboard and any vapors should drain overboard and avoid an explosion hazard.

Portable tanks should be filled outside of the boat (although I realize that they are often filled in the boat.)
 
Bob. i think what your saying is...the center connector on the sender goes to the " S " connector on the gas gauge.

The bolt with the stud and star washer on the outer circle. ( 3 o'clock position ). goes to the ground on the gas gauge.

The bolt with the tab on the outer circle ( 10 o'clock position ) is not used?

The welded bracket on the tank ( with screw attached ). that is located a few inches away from the sender just grounds to the deck.

I have the instructions for the Teleflex Gas gauge but they are written in Greek .. :?:

The original tanks were the same way in that they vented into the cockpit also, not ideal but that is how the original tanks were. Thanks Tug
 
Tug":13ltzp6w said:
Just received an e-mail referring to a quote request from another large tank fabricator in NJ which stated: U.S.C.G. specs. states that no diesel or gas tank can be hung from mounting tabs and must be supported from the bottom.I guess i won't be getting a price quote from them. Tug
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In looking at the Marinaut 215 photos and I don't see any supports underneath the aluminum tank, how is it supported???

-Mark
 
The welded bracket on the tank ( with screw attached ). that is located a few inches away from the sender just grounds to the deck.
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That bracket is for connecting to the boats bonding system. On an outboard boat the bonding system ground wires are usually connected to the the outboard motor transom bracket/housing as that is the only metal in the water.
 
Jay,

I'm a firm believer that everything on the boat should serve at least a dual purpose, unless it is required safety gear. Your tanks are a bonus, hold the fuel, down low for added stability, and then after empty, they increase visibility and flotation. You are good.:thup

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

Sorry, this came in a page late. See the "Sampan Look photo" on page 1. H
 
Nice. I would simply install a filler hose from your new tank straight up into a new filler cap fitting in the splashwell. No worries about spilled fuel getting in the cockpit. Our Wooldridge had a similar set up.

Rick
 
I appreciate the wiring advice, i usually just do my wiring by trial and error. No explosions to date.I am real happy with the tank, it will give me peace of mind. The other two steel tanks were 25 years old and i didn't have 100% confidence in them, the old tanks i can still use if i need extra fuel on extended trips.

I never saw the need for a filler hose and external fill cap, i never had problems filling my gas tanks inside the boat, i just take my time and use. ( large funnels if needed ). extra caution. If i were to of bought those gunnel gas tanks i would of definitely had an external fill. Sometimes there is a hint of gas fumes after leaving my cockpit cover on for a few days in hot weather but i don't smoke and am aware of the possible danger.

Can not wait until Spring... hope to be on the water in 7-8 weeks even if i have to break some ice to get there. Tug
 
Tug,
Yes, on the wiring of the gauge. Larry of course is correct on the proper point of grounding.

The reasons that I brought up the tank fill and venting issue is that it is direct violation of ABYC H24.13.1 and H-24.17.2, Which state a fuel fill must be located where any overflow would run down a walkway or gunnel and out a drain, not entering the cockpit. There is also language that the vent must be outside of the cockpit. It isn't just an issue of smoking--it is of use of any non ignition protected equipment in the cabin or cockpit. I understand that you are careful and use a funnel, but there are significant risks.

I suspect that there are insurance implications if you were to ever have a fire or explosion aboard.

There are also regs in CFR title 33 Sub Section J such as:

Sec. 183.520 Fuel tank vent systems.

(a) Each fuel tank must have a vent system that prevents pressure in the tank from exceeding 80 percent of the pressure marked on the tank label under Sec. 183.514(b)(5).

(b) Each vent must:

(1) Have a flame arrester that can be cleaned unless the vent is itself a flame arrestor; and

(2) Not allow a fuel overflow at the rate of up to two gallons per minute to enter the boat.

Sec. 183.550 Fuel tanks: Installation.
"e) Each fuel tank support, chock, or strap that is not integral with a metallic fuel tank must be insulated from the tank surface by a non-moisture absorbing material."

Sec. 183.564 Fuel tank fill system.

(a) Each fuel fill opening must be located so that a gasoline overflow of up to five gallons per minute for at least five seconds will not enter the boat when the boat is in its static floating position.

(b) Each hose in the tank fill system must be secured to a pipe, spud, or hose fitting by:

(1) A swaged sleeve;

(2) A sleeve and threaded insert; or

(3) Two adjacent metallic hose clamps that do not depend solely on the spring tension of the clamps for compressive force.

(c) Each hose clamp in the tank fill system must be used with a hose designed for clamps.

(d) Hose clamps used in the tank fill system must:

(1) Have a minimum nominal band width of at least one-half inch; and

(2) Be over the hose and the spud, pipe, or hose fitting."
 
AND, the fumes generated in a tank filling maneuver could hang in that cockpit enclosure for several hours if there is no venting, fan or otherwise to dissipate them. The spark hazard from any electrical switch could really heat up your day (or night), or light up your life.

It may be regulations friend, but it is also your safety. Just not worth the chance.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
416rigby":1qrj3yng said:
Nice. I would simply install a filler hose from your new tank straight up into a new filler cap fitting in the splashwell. No worries about spilled fuel getting in the cockpit. Our Wooldridge had a similar set up.

Rick
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Sound advice everyone... i would not want my bilge pump turning on and ruining my fun. I will put the tank on the boat tomorrow and see if the tanks fits with the filler neck placed facing the stern ...if not can the filling hose be bent or does it have to be straight. Also can the gas tanks fuel line fitting to the outboard to turned. ( rotated to face in different directions ). Tug
 
Did some searching and found this.. Tug

New Regulations for Gasoline Fuel Systems for Pleasure Craft after January 1 2012


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I remember when I was putting my tanks in I called the coast guard and ended up showing them the drawing for my tanks to see that they were legal. The man I spoke with said they were fine, I told him how they would mount to the boat (which included no support under the tanks) and he made no issue of it. We discussed the fact that my boat was pleasure craft and not for hire, and he said the tanks would be good even if it was a charter boat. I wonder if my tanks are legal?...Also, interesting to see what other folks would build them for. Sometimes it really pays to do the work yourself ( I recognize the fact that I am lucky enough to have a fab shop at my disposal). Honestly, the biggest advantage I feel the saddle tanks offer me is the added space in the cockpit, which is a result of not only moving the tanks but shinking the motor well accordingly.
 
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