Forums > Sailing General

Safety - Outboard Engine and gas bar-b-que

Reply
Created by Bundeenabuoy > 9 months ago, 24 Mar 2019
Bundeenabuoy
NSW, 1239 posts
24 Mar 2019 9:59AM
Thumbs Up

My outboard engine petrol tank is in an enclosed area.
My thinking is to make sure the fuel line is disconnected from the tank and the engine, and then run the engine until it if empty.
My bar-b-que will be 5ft away from the engine and fuel tank.
Is it safe to use?

Craig66
NSW, 2466 posts
24 Mar 2019 11:19AM
Thumbs Up

Depends..... how good are you at cooking a nice meal on your bbq?

Bundeenabuoy
NSW, 1239 posts
24 Mar 2019 12:25PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Craig66 said..
Depends..... how good are you at cooking a nice meal on your bbq?


I want to be able to boil water and cook a hot meal but still keep my racing boat.
The outside bar-b-que looks my best option so far.
It means I can cruise for a number of days and stay on my boat.

valo
NSW, 309 posts
24 Mar 2019 3:21PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Bundeenabuoy said..
My outboard engine petrol tank is in an enclosed area.
My thinking is to make sure the fuel line is disconnected from the tank and the engine, and then run the engine until it if empty.
My bar-b-que will be 5ft away from the engine and fuel tank.
Is it safe to use?


Hi BB

I don't think many people would be keen to give you an answer on this one.

Bundeenabuoy
NSW, 1239 posts
24 Mar 2019 3:33PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
valo said..

Bundeenabuoy said..
My outboard engine petrol tank is in an enclosed area.
My thinking is to make sure the fuel line is disconnected from the tank and the engine, and then run the engine until it if empty.
My bar-b-que will be 5ft away from the engine and fuel tank.
Is it safe to use?



Hi BB

I don't think many people would be keen to give you an answer on this one.


I have to agree.
What do you think?

FreeRadical
WA, 855 posts
24 Mar 2019 1:32PM
Thumbs Up

We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.

LooseChange
NSW, 2140 posts
24 Mar 2019 5:09PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Bundeenabuoy said..

valo said..


Bundeenabuoy said..
My outboard engine petrol tank is in an enclosed area.
My thinking is to make sure the fuel line is disconnected from the tank and the engine, and then run the engine until it if empty.
My bar-b-que will be 5ft away from the engine and fuel tank.
Is it safe to use?




Hi BB

I don't think many people would be keen to give you an answer on this one.



I have to agree.
What do you think?


His thinking is he is not that keen to give you an answer on this one either.

Bundeenabuoy
NSW, 1239 posts
24 Mar 2019 5:28PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
FreeRadical said..
We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.


Thats encouraging.
I have read that the gas given off from fuel and the LPG are heavier than air and can sit at the bottom of the boat.
I have even heard of someone vacuuming the bilge to get rid of them.
I am thinking that as long as I can't smell fuel I should be OK.
Surely the morning after stopping for the night should be fine.
The motor, fuel line and tank are nearly new.

Ramona
NSW, 7740 posts
24 Mar 2019 6:55PM
Thumbs Up

Vacuum cleaners will occasionally spark from the brushes.

Should have a vent from the petrol stowage and gas bottles over the side. I would just leave the fuel line connected and vent the stowage area. Petrol is quite safe and hard to ignite. The fumes however are easy to ignite. Still see old blokes smoking while they fiddle with their outboards!

FreeRadical
WA, 855 posts
24 Mar 2019 5:22PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Bundeenabuoy said..


FreeRadical said..
We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.




Thats encouraging.
I have read that the gas given off from fuel and the LPG are heavier than air and can sit at the bottom of the boat.
I have even heard of someone vacuuming the bilge to get rid of them.
I am thinking that as long as I can't smell fuel I should be OK.
Surely the morning after stopping for the night should be fine.
The motor, fuel line and tank are nearly new.



In WA, a gas detection system is required if you have a fixed gas system on your boat. Minimum of 2 sensors required, mounted low down.

Our gas bottle locker/fuel locker is completely sealed from the cabin and vents overboard. I wouldn't store petrol down in the cabin or any locker not totally sealed from the cabin.

Ramona
NSW, 7740 posts
25 Mar 2019 8:56AM
Thumbs Up

Petrol engines in yachts were quite common in the USA and there are still plenty about. This CAL 34 has just come on the market at Port Macquarie and has an Atomic 4 engine. These are petrol engines and this boat has 100 litres of fuel somewhere down below. The fuel vent will be on deck somewhere same as for a diesel.

https://www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/sailing-boats/cal-34-jenson-marine/229266#.XGpN44rfDO0.email


Nice interior.



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Sailing General


"Safety - Outboard Engine and gas bar-b-que" started by Bundeenabuoy