[C320-list] Securing outboard engine and gasoline

[Scott Thompson]

You don't worry about explosive gasoline vapors keeping it in the 
cockpit lockers or cabin?  I've always read that you shouldn't transport 
gasoline inside the boat.

Orlando.Duran at AveryDennison.com wrote:
> The 2000 will also fir in the starboard aft locker on the shelf there. I tried it with no problem, you have to tilt it slightly is all. I was going to put in some straps that would tighten it down during transit but alas--sailing, work travel and other priorities conspired to my never finishing that project.
> 
> I have been keeping it under the salon table till I got to Two Harbors or Cat Harbor then I would bring it up into the cockpit...in some heavy weather and swells, never had a problem with it being down below--it never moved
> 
> cuba libre 2
> --------------------------
> Regards,
> OD
> 
> Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: allan.field
> Sent: 06/25/2006 03:41 PM
> To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Securing outboard engine and gasoline
> 
> Scott - The generator stays in the anchor locker only while going from point to point.  It comes out prior to deploying the anchor.  The alternatives are in the cabin (which I believe is where Orlando stores his when in transit but I don't like the gas smell down below) or between the aft seats if I remove the center seat which I haven't tried yet.  And you are right - it does not actually fit under the center seat.  The seat needs to be removed and the generator sticks out maybe 4-6 inches towards the binnacle.  
> 
> The mount is a standard, hard plastic, 2-piece mount that mounts on the "T" of the stern rail.  The 2-piece mount clamps over both the horizontal and vertical rail.  There are much more expensive ones, such as in teak or from Edson, but this one does the job.
> 
> I keep the dingy gas tank in the dingy and tie it in.  This afternoon, it was floating in 6 inches of water!  Needless to say, we did not leave Georgetown today in the all day, heavy rains.
> 
> Years ago, I kept my first boat on Bodkin Creek for about 2 years.  That boat had a 4-foot draft.  I used to anchor in Swan Creek on many weekends and never had any trouble.  I doubt that much has changed.  There are thin places in the creek but there always was plenty of room far away from the mooring field.  But I have not been in there for about 15 years so I will report  back if things have changed. It always was one of my favorite spots.  Keep in mind what the past week has been like heat and humidity-wise.  If next week is like last week, we will be in Marina's versus on the hook.  In fact, we haven't been on the hook yet on this trip.
> 
> Allan S. Field
> Sea Shadow - #808
> Columbia, MD
> 
> 
> 
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: Scott Thompson <sthompson at toad.net> 
> 
>> Allan: Doesn't a 43 pound generator in your anchor locker make 
>> anchoring rather difficult? If you put the generator between the aft 
>> seats I assume that it doesn't actually fit under the seats. Is that 
>> right? 
>>
>> Regarding the outboard engine mount, which one did you purchase at WM? 
>> Is it the Johnson mount? Where did you attach it to the rail? 
>>
>> Where do you store your dinghy gas tank while sailing? 
>>
>> Finally, I'd be interested in hearing a report after you visit Swan 
>> Creek. That's the closest anchorage to me on the Eastern Shore but I've 
>> never been in because the charts make it look shallow and I've heard 
>> it's full of moorings. 
>>
>> Scott 
>>
>>
>> allan.field at comcast.net wrote: 
>>> Scott - I'll weigh in on this one from our experience. We have a Nissan 5 HP, 
>> 4-stroke with an external fuel tank. I have had 2-strokes in the past with 
>> internal tanks but would not go back to them as the fuel left in the tank tends 
>> to wax the carb if stored for a time. Plus the 4-stroke is more environment 
>> friendly. 
>>> We keep the motor on the aft stern rail on a motor mount we got from WM. The 
>> motor weighs about 80 pounds. We also had Kato Marine in Annapolis make us a 
>> lifting crane with a 4:1 purchase. With the crane, moving the engine from rail 
>> to digny transom literally is a one-handed job. The stern rail is no worse the 
>> wear for holding the motor these past 4 years or so. 
>>> Our external tank holds 2.5 gallons of gas. Even after being out for 18 days 
>> (as we are now) and all the other times we use the dingy during the season, we 
>> will not empty the tank. We do add Sta-Bil to the tank. After each trip, we 
>> disconnect the hose from the tank to the motor at the tank with the motor 
>> running so as to exhaust all fuel both in the hose and in the engine. We found 
>> that leaving fuel in the hose stunk up the boat and leaving fuel in the motor 
>> for an extended period gummed up the carb. What is really surprising is that 
>> once the hose is disconnected from the tank, it takes a good 15-20 minutes for 
>> all the fuel to burn-off. Little wonder we can't use 2.5 gallons of gas in an 
>> entire season. 
>>> The final lesson learned is to keep the fuel tank vent slightly cracked open 
>> even when storing the tank. Otherwise, pressure builds up in the tank and 
>> eventually gas starts to blow past the seals. The tank directions also 
>> recommend doing this but in our case, Field's Law prevailed - If Field has a 
>> 50/50 chance of doing something right or wrong the first time, 90% of the time 
>> Field will do it wrong the first time... 
>>> We also purchased a Honda 2000 generator. It will not start a 12,000 BTU air 
>> conditioner. However, it will run the microwave, outlets and charger fine. We 
>> store ours in the anchor well and have the factory cover (extra cost) in place. 
>> However, we do not carry spare gas cans on board. If we did, I imagine that I 
>> would lash them to a side stanchion somehow but again, these motors use so 
>> little fuel that carrying spare just is not necessary. 
>>> We did see another Catalina on this trip with the Honda generator. They 
>> removed the seat between the 2 aft lockers and store their generator in that 
>> space. The geneator stuck out maybe 6 inches past the seat. This may be 
>> something we do in the future as since installing the NavPod for the 
>> chartplotter, that seat has become virtually worthless anyway as we can no 
>> longer see forward under the instrument pod. 
>>> Hope this helps. 
>>>
>>> Allan S. Field 
>>> Sea Shadow - #808 
>>> Columbia, MD 
>>> -------------- Original message -------------- 
>>> From: Scott Thompson 
>>>
>>>
>>>> I'm in the market for an outboard for a dinghy and possibly for one of 
>>>> the Honda 2000 generators that Orlando is keen on. Questions: Where do 
>>>> others secure their outboards when not on the dinghy? Do the Johnson or 
>>>> Edson mounting brackets work well on the stern rail of a 1999 vintage 
>>>> 320? What kind of weight limit are we talking about to use these? 
>>>> Also, where do others store a spare gas can on board? 
>>>>
>>>> Scott Thompson 
>>>> Surprise, 653 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
> 
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