| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Richard Wright |
Posted - 27 Dec 2012 : 17:33:15
On a Norman Conquest I am looking at there is a large red metal fuel tank under the starboard rear locker. There is also a plastic 25 l tank connected to the outboard. Does anyone use the installed metal tank or would I be better having it taken out and use the space for storage? Advice would be appreciated. |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| df |
Posted - 30 Dec 2012 : 12:29:02
Why not just build in a sealable fire resistant locker in the aft cabin to keep the tank in and use it from there, fit a drain and vent to outside and you have a secure fuel tank, fume free cabin, and nicer look to the boat.
This is how we had the fuel and gas on our old norman, either side of the outboard well, both drained to the bottom of the outboard well which in turn drained overboard, I believe you can still use grp for gas/fuel lockers if 5mm+ thick.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
| ken cattell |
Posted - 30 Dec 2012 : 11:31:10
I to had the same concerns as Stewart and I'm still not at ease with the position of the portable tank in the rear cabin. I too considered a shelf above the engine, however I spent weeks constructing a pair of waterproof engine bay access doors to open fully and along with opening the stern window give an open view out the stern so the tank on a shelf option didnt work for me. Having got the boat past the BSS I'm going to try it out then reassess after a trial period. |
| stewart |
Posted - 28 Dec 2012 : 23:50:04
When we had our Norman Conquest I was always very uneasy about having the plastic petrol tank for the outboard inside the rear cabin. Apart from fire risks, I just didn't like the possibility of petrol smells while sleeping....
In the end I constructed a timber rack that fitted above the outboard, behind the rear window of the aft cabin. And attached a ventilated box made out of marine ply, which held the large red plastic tank for the outboard, with space also for a spare 5-litre plastic petrol can.
The BSC inspector was happy with it, except for asking me to take off the small padlock I used to secure the box. |
| Richard Wright |
Posted - 28 Dec 2012 : 13:23:24
Thanks for that. Is it easy to remove the old tank...I assume you detach the filler tube and then there must be a few bolts. For the record, I am glad to say the BSS regulations do not apply in Northern Ireland. |
| ken cattell |
Posted - 27 Dec 2012 : 23:56:46
Been thinking about this! I would imagine to meet the BSS regs if the metal tank is fixed in situ then that portion of the locker would have to be sealed as a bund to prevent fuel spills from running down the legnth of the boat under the floor. It would also require a filling point connected to the outside and a low level drain/vent from the bund to the outside.
As Knighty states unless its a nice stainless steel tank and installed I.A.W. current BSS regs (which I assume apply in N. Ireland) I would go with the portable plastic one which you can fill up off the boat. This, as it will be the in use tank can go pretty much anywhere according to the regs as long as its not blatently leathal, however stored (spare) fuel containers have to be contained in line with BSS regs....or removed at time of inspection and good luck with your insurance claim if it all goes wrong! |
| Knighty |
Posted - 27 Dec 2012 : 19:08:26
Depends how much fuel you need and what size outboard you have. On my 20 which is same size as a Conquest i only have a 12 ltr plastic tank that came with my outboard which is 9.9hp and will give me 8 hours running at river speeds. I also carry 5-10 ltrs extra in proper petrol plastic containers.
Personally if it's an old tank and 25 ltrs is enough i would ditch the metal one as they can corrode inside and let crap into your outboard which have tiny jets and give running issues. |
