[C320-list] Fuel Tank Replacement

[Jack Brennan]

Hi John:

If you ever do any long-distance sailing off the Florida coast, you will have to refuel at sea. Going to a fuel dock on the Intracoastal adds hours to your trip.

An average sea along the east coast of Florida, where I sailed for many years, is two to five feet. This is because the Gulfstream runs only a few miles from shore. 

Anyone who ventures far from home will eventually encounter eight- to 10-foot seas, as I have with a Bristol 30,  because inlets are far apart and treacherous to run in bad weather. You don’t have any choice but to carry on to a major port when the weather unexpectedly turns bad.

Now we live on the west coast of Florida. We do a fair amount of multi-day or multi-week sailing that can entail refueling underway, especially when the sailing gods discover where we are going and shift the wind directly onto our nose.

When the wind kicks up into the 20s in the Gulf of Mexico and through the Keys, you get two- to four-foot seas much closer together, which arguably can be more stomach-churning than the larger waves along the east coast for a flat-bottomed sailboat such as the 320.

The good news is that the 320 handles fairly well in bad conditions, except when you motor into a strong wind directly on your nose. Last year, heading from Key West to Boot Key Harbor, unexpected four-foot-seas almost stopped us dead. We were doing two knots wide open trying to get to the next harbor.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.
Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay






Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: John morrison
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 12:11 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel Tank Replacement

I can’t imagine what an experienced seaman would be doing refuelling in 4foot seas, unless in the middle of the Atlantic. The 24gal tank in the 320’s will take you a very long way. I’ve witnessed more than one emergency call on Lake Ontario “I’m out of gas”!. The rule of thumb for fuel on boats is, 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve. I’ve never refuelled away from a dock. My position anyways.
JohnM
1999#574
> On Apr 24, 2020, at 8:27 AM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> I use an aircraft filter funnel, to keep dirt and water out of the tank, in addition to a siphon hose.
> 
> A siphon hose is much, much easier than wielding a 40-pound diesel container in four-foot seas when you’re trying to refuel. You hold the filter with one hand and the siphon hose in the other. If you need to, strap the container to the stern seat.
> 
> The filter holds an ounce or two of diesel/water/dirt in the bottom when filling is done. A disposable shop rag at the funnel bottom will keep it from dripping out. I pour it back in the container and, every once in a while, properly dispose of the dregs.
> 
> Siphoning is very, very easy once you get the hang of it. Someone who is squeamish can use a paper towel around the hose to protect their lips.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> 
> From: Dennis Cookson
> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 4:45 AM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel Tank Replacement
> 
> Err - what's wrong with using a funnel? No sucking required!
> 
> Dennis Cookson 
> #577
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On 23 Apr 2020, at 19:45, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> I do it all the time! I fill my tank by placing a five-gallon diesel jug on the stern rail seat and siphoning the diesel into the tank.
>> 
>> The trick is to have a long hose. That way, you can get your mouth off it when the diesel is hallway through. It only takes one mouthful to learn …
>> 
>> Jack Brennan
>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>