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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Fuel locker use question

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Jan Briede
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/07/2012 : 17:30:45

Ok, my boat dated from 1979 has this large deep fuel locker on the port side, that appears to have never been used for anything but the fuel tank on top of the little bench all the way in the back.
It currently looks like wasted space (yes you could stuff an body in it) and I would love to hear any suggestions from you all of how you are utilizing all that (deep) space.
Thanks!
Jan

p.s. the restoration project is progressing very slowly, but I have fun sailing the lower Chesapeake and York River in the mean time. We were out on Saturday and sailed for 6 hours accompanied by porpoises. Lots of fun.

Jan Briede
Beagle
1979 TR #1242 FK
L-Dinette
Yorktown, VA
Blog -- http://vanomad.blogspot.com/

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 19:36:31

Is the fuel space inside the rear of the port side fender locker (aka the Dumpster)? If it's way up in there, I could not imagine how assessable the location is, especially with a full 6 gallon gas tank! That would weigh maybe 30 pounds (14 kg) and would be very ungainly and clumsy to manipulate into place in the locker.

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Voyager
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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 19:41:18

Porpoises! I've been looking for them all this summer and fall. I heard there were a few schools spotted on the southern shore of Lond Island Sound (not the Northern shore by me), right outside of Port Jefferson harbor. I've kept a keen lookout, but no dice. I'd imagine I could hear them if they were nearby Passage.

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2012 : 20:23:43

Two reasons to open that hatch, one for access to fuel, and the second to show the Harbor Patrol where all your life preservers are hidden. Sounds bad, but I have two inflatables and a comfy vest for sailing, the dumpster vests are to avoid a ticket in case 10 guests swamp my boat one day.

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Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 04:45:51

we put EVERYTHING in there: spare bumpers, fishing pole, spare anchor, swim noodles, cleaning bucket with brushes, manual bilge pump, propane for the grill, shore power cord, camping supplies (table clothes, picnic table clips, tarp to use as boom tent and boat hooks.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 08:01:54

You definitely can fit a body in there--mine has been in there, on my back, mounting something to the transom. Then a little breeze blew the hatch shut...

Fenders, boat hooks, paddle, lunch hook (or stern anchor), PFDs, flare kit,... (My vintage, '85, had a fuel locker molded into the aft portion of the port cockpit seat--a major improvement.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/08/2012 08:08:48

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 08:13:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ape-X
 ...propane for the grill...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">If the USCG boards you, they will likely lecture you on how any leakage will accumulate in the bottom of the bilge, and "strongly recommend" a location like the small locker on starboard.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/08/2012 08:14:50

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/08/2012 : 13:28:28

We use it for bumpers, brooms for webs, boat hooks, extra anchoR, lines etc. My friend's C-27 he actually had some shelves built down there and he stores the spin down there too.

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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2012 : 08:02:50

Upcoming Mainsheet has Cat-25 Tech section article on one way to utilize this space by installing a shelf.

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Voyager
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5353 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2012 : 19:31:12

I used to keep my spare gasoline can in the fender locker but quickly realized that although the gas can is sealed, I was putting myself and the boat at extreme risk of explosion and fire. I found that I could fit my spare gas can next to the main gas tank, so I got things right quickly.
The problem is that my electrical panel backs up into the space, so if an explosive atmosphere exists in there due to a minor spill or leak (it doesn't take much gas), and a spark comes off a light switch, KA-BOOM!

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2012 : 20:02:10

Bruce--there's another difference between the vintages with the gas tank shelf in the "dumpster" and the later design with a separate cockpit locker for the tank. The earlier design includes two hooded vents on the coamings--one pointed forward and the other aft to promote circulation of air into and out of the dumpster. The vent on the starboard side has a hose into the dumpster on port. This scheme might not be "ideal", but I haven't heard about any early C-25s blowing up. (Could be the liberal media...

) Of course, this suggests that, with no vents, you're right... but not necessarily that the pre-80s owners are in extreme danger.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 10/10/2012 20:07:51

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2012 : 23:23:17

Ah, the forward facing scoop vent. As if the dunmpster needs to be ventilated of air on a hard heel + swell.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2012 : 06:11:24

The cowl vents meet federal requirements for natural ventilation.

To lessen the chance for water to flow along the coaming sidedeck and down into the port cowl vent then into the bilge, I fashioned a 1" stainless steel dam to block the lower portion of the vent. This really helps to keep water out of the bilge, mainly when washing the boat.

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JohnP
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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 10/11/2012 : 08:16:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
...I fashioned a 1" stainless steel dam to block the lower portion of the vent. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">& I fashioned one out of duct tape.

Additional items not suggested by others for the dumpster: <ul><li> Trap for blue crabs - mmmmmmmmmmmm! </li><li> Electric heater - comfy visiting marinas with shore power, and when the poptop cover keeps out the cold</li><li> Starter battery on the little shelf against the transom - seems made for it! </li></ul>

Removed from the dumpster based on what I learned from discussions on the Forum: <ul><li> Spare 5 gal of gas </li></ul>

Edited by - JohnP on 10/11/2012 08:20:17

Voyager
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Response Posted - 10/11/2012 : 17:01:30

Ya - one day I opened the locker and smelled gas - I freaked!!!! Nuff said. But I suppose with adequate passive ventilation I reckon you'd be fine. Glad I always remove my aftmost ball fender whenever I sail or I would never have noticed.

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glen
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359 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2012 : 10:04:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Ya - one day I opened the locker and smelled gas - I freaked!!!! Nuff said. But I suppose with adequate passive ventilation I reckon you'd be fine. Glad I always remove my aftmost ball fender whenever I sail or I would never have noticed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">What I did on my 79, was to add a second gas line connection to my 6 gallon tank. I installed this connection so it sits on top when I secure the tank in the locker. The connection has no fill tube attached to the inside the tank, so it works the same as a vent. I can connect a Vent tube (made from gas line) with a matching connection on one of the ends to the new tank fitting. The orher end connects to a screened vent that will allow the fumes to vent into the cockpit. I have routed the vent tube to the top of the locker, then down to the tank. This loop prevents any rain or water from entering the fuel tank trhrough the tube. I also used a different brand connection then the one for my outboard, so I can't confuse them and hook the wrong line to the the vent. (I have a 9.9 Honda, so for the vent I used an OMC connection)

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Prospector
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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2012 : 11:03:58

You guys actually keep track of whats down there? For me getting to teh bottom of the dumpster is akin to getting to the bottom of teh cracker-jacks box. you never know what surprise you'll find!

So far nothing more unpleasant than mud dauber nests.

Edited by - on

dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2012 : 18:11:03

The only things I put in the dumpster are a spare anchor and a boathook.

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jerlim
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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 09:36:50

Does anyone else run their fuel line though the vent? Seems to be the only way out of the locker w/ the lid closed...

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2012 : 12:33:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Does anyone else run their fuel line though the vent? Seems to be the only way out of the locker w/ the lid closed...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The vent is not the only way. Mine is ran through a thru-hull on the transom that is located just above the outboard mount.

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jerlim
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Response Posted - 10/14/2012 : 19:31:34

Hmm, interesting...is the primer bulb inside or outside the locker...did you run the tubing and then install the connector to the OB...how do you remove the tank when necessary? Just curious...

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Jan Briede
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 06:19:55

I ran my fuel line through the vent port as well, but back there is my favorite place to sit (when sailing and motoring) and always afraid that I pinch the fuel line, moreover, the darn edges of the vent are sharp!

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 06:59:11

How did folks fit an inflatable through the door into the dumpster? There is plenty of space inside for one, but our tiny Zodiac (their smallest model) doesn't roll up small enough to fit through the door.

Our dumpster held spare line, stove fuel (alcohol), cleaning supplies, deck brush, about 8 fenders. The sail covers and hatch boards were put in there while we were under way. I never kept gasoline or propane in there though, I didn't want it to get into the bilge.

This style of cowl would avoid the problems with scooping up water and can be turned in any direction too:
http://www.fisheriessupply.com/marinco-low-profile-pvc-cowl-vent

Our Pearson 28-2 uses two of them to help ventilate the cabin.

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 10:23:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Hmm, interesting...is the primer bulb inside or outside the locker...did you run the tubing and then install the connector to the OB...how do you remove the tank when necessary? Just curious...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The primer bulb is inside the fuel locker. The thru-hull is big enough for the fuel line fitting to fit through it. To remove the the tank, I simply disconnect the fuel line from outboard then pull it through the fitting.

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PCP777
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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/15/2012 : 14:05:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jerlim
 Does anyone else run their fuel line though the vent? Seems to be the only way out of the locker w/ the lid closed...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

There is a slot cut for mine so that when the dumpster hatch is closed the primer bulb is on the dumpster and the fuel hose goes out by the cut away by the tiller and to the motor. I probably need to take a pic.

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