Typhoon Portholes and gas tank

[distand]

If anyone has any thoughts on these items that would be great:

I'm interested in replacing my existing round fixed portholes. The cutout is 4 1/4". Does anyone know where I can buy some replacments. Opening type would be a bonus but I think those may be difficult to find in such a small size.

Instead of leaving the outboard gas tank on the transom deck or a seat, has anyone tried to put a small tank (say 3 gal) under the transom deck (i.e., by pushing it through hatch under the seat into the transom area). I was thinking of running the hose through the inspection port to the motor. I know it's frowned on to put portable tanks below decks so just wondering if anyone has any thouhgts on this.

thanks

Don

[Joe M]

Don - see the following CG link regarding ventilation requirements for portable gas tanks in cockpit lockers. They specifically reference small sailboats and portable tanks. Providing a good source of natural ventilation is the issue.

http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/ ... partg.aspx

Blue Water Hardware has bronze 4 in. opening ports but thier pricey $340 each!

http://www.bluewaterhardware.com/OrdPortRegRoundBz.php

Joe

[hoehnt]

ABI bronze/glass ports (hard to find now that they are out of business)




Honda 4 stroke outboard with integral tank

[Stan W.]

Spartan sells fixed ports. About $105 each.

[distand]

Thanks everyone for the good info. First time using this message board and it's really great.

Don

[distand]

Just to update everyone. I bought a good quality 3-gallon tank. From inside the cabin I slid it up under the port side hatch and then a little further aft so it rests just aft of the hatch. I run the gas line through the inspection port and up to the motor when I'm using the engine. I open the vent to the tank when it's in use and close it when not in use. It's working out really well. I just reach into the inspection port (which is just aft of the tiller) and pull the hose out to make the connection.

This is so much better than moving the tank around on deck. There are no electronics around the tank so no possibility of spark there.

[Russell]

That still strikes me as a potentially scary situation. Have you considered at least hooking a hose up to the tank vent and leading it outside?

[distand]

thanks for your comment.

The vent on the 3-gal tank is just a little plastic screw wheel on the fill cap. When I'm motoring I open the vent (and the inspection port) so that fuel can flow properly. When not in use (99% of the time) I just close the vent. The tank is made to expand and contract as the temperature of the fuel changes.

So far so good. I've used this method throughout the season. One disadvantage would be if I forget to close the vent. Maybe I will drill some holes through the inspection port to provide some permanent ventillation. This would be a good backup plan for the day when I inevitably forget to close the vent. I'm not too worried about water getting into through the inspection port.

Don

[jepomer]

Fuel vapors are heavier than air.
These will sink to a low level in your boat.
These vapors can be ignited whether the engine is running or not.

The tank can leak from many sources, vents and unplanned holes.

[Skeep]

Found fixed bronze portholes at this site:

http://www.sailboatstuff.com/cb_fixport.html

[Seamonkey]

Keeping the tank under the transom is not a good idea for the reasons mentioned above. The fuel vapor can collect below deck.

[M. R. Bober]

Fuel vapors are heavier than air.
These will sink to a low level in your boat.
These vapors can be ignited whether the engine is running or not.

The tank can leak from many sources, vents and unplanned holes.

You should find a way to vent those--potential--fumes because a single small explosion can ruin a good day's sail. IMHO
Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where we try not to be fuelish.) VA