Refueling

[edward]

When you fuel up do you estimate the gallons or do you have a floscan system to track gallons used.How do you address a small fuel spill . Edward

 

[rustybucket]

Our aft tank gauge is very accurate. I know when it says Full the tank is pretty much full +/- 10gal. Our forward tank fuel gauge is non-funcitonal but I pull a plug out of the top of the tank and use a 3/8" dowel rod with marks on it to let me know when I'm getting close to full.

Rarely is it beneficial to stuff the tanks completely full and have to deal with an overflow or cleanup situation. Learn your gauges or figure out a way to get a dipstick in there.

 

[Pascal]

I keep a fuel log detailing engine time, gen time, distance, fuel used, speed, fuel gauge reading etc.

If the boat has fuel meters (Cat ECUs or Floscans) it can be pretty precise. Without meters, like in my boats then i estimate based on RPM

I keep them in spreadsheets on my phone. Using formulas most is the calculations are automatic. When refueling I rarely go over 90% of capacity... nowadays it a capital crime to spill fuel in the water. usually at about 80% estimated I stick the tank(s) to make sure we don’t overfill

Here is an example of the log I keep for the 84 Lazzara I run

 

[edward]

Thanks, did not know that you could still get to the tanks to stick it .

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Sound. Listen for the change in sound from your tank vents.

 

[Pascal]

On boats with keel tanks like mine you can easily unscrew the gauge. You calibrate a stick while fueling by stopping every 50 gallons and marking it.

I m pretty sure on more recent boats with keep tanks Hatteras supplied a calibrated stick like Lazzara did.

Usually boats that have tanks installed high have sight gauges plumbed along the sides

 

[Briankinley2004]

Dawn dishwashing liquid. Homo Depot sells their brand for about $4 a half gallon. It works just as good. They make whistles you can put in the vent lines that quit when you are almost full

 

[Pascal]

using Dawn on a refuel spill will get you in even more trouble with authorities...

This is why I modified my fuel fillers and vents by moving them up to the side of the house, like Hatteras does on new MY. This allows me to catch vent overflow and any spill on secknbefore it gets to the water.

 

[Chasemmc]

Why not temp tape a.15" approx x 6" tupperwear to the hull just below the vents. Fuel burped out the vents goes into plastic trough instead of water..

 

[Pascal]

How do you do that when on most 1510s the vents are about 2 feet below the deck. Even when you are at a dock on that side they are too low from a fixed dock.

 

[rustybucket]

The vent sound change doesn't work on mine, they are basically silent the whole time.

On my boat, when overfilled the fuel first will burp/sneeze a couple of cups out of the fill cap (which is containable/cleanable, then literally spew/pour out of the vent over a gallon ++.

For those using dawn to cover up fuel spills I've heard the coasties are really cracking down on this practice with some pretty large fines.

 

[jim rosenthal]

There are two devices that may help on some boats, depending on how the boats are set up for fueling and where the vents are:

Davis Marine makes a device called the "David No-Spill" It attaches to the hull side, covering the vent, and is basically a bottle with a soft rubber gasket/opening on the side. It will catch MOST of most small spills. We're talking a few ounces here, but that's about it. I used one for years, until the next thing came along.

The next thing is a device called a "Clean Way Fuel Fill". It is a plastic cylinder that is fitted into the fill port on the boat, and you put the diesel nozzle into the device. I have used it a couple of times. Works quite well. Basically contains spills before they happen, within reason.

Neither of these will substitute for paying very careful attention to fueling your boat. Having engine diapers at hand to quickly mop up any spilt fuel is prudent as well. The vent whistles do work if you install them correctly, but on some boats the install isn't easy.

Using dishwashing detergent just carries the spilt fuel to the bottom. The CG is wise to that. It may take the sheen off the water, but it doesn't get you out of trouble by any means. Using absorbent diapers to soak up the fuel you've spilt does help.

 

[Pascal]

What I used to do on my boat before relocating the vents and fillers was a three way valv on each vent hose in The ER. When flipped it would divert the vent to a flexible hose I would route thru the ER air intake up to the deck. I could put the end of the hose in a jug or simply in the second filler since On the 53 there are two filler side by side Simple. It worked

 

[piratestreasure]

I can find the guage on the forward tank where is it on the after tank?58 Tri-cabin