Fueling Your Boat 101: Everything You Should Know
Your boat is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but that doesn't mean it will run well forever. Eventually, it'll be time to fuel up, and you'll need to know everything about fueling including at what point should you open all windows and hatches when fueling a boat.
If you're ready to learn everything you need to prepare for fueling or buying a boat, read on. We answer all your questions and go over the basics of what should you do before fueling your boat and after. Discover how to care correctly for your boat here.
What Should You Do Before Fueling Your Boat?
Before you even begin pouring, you must understand the answer to what should you do before fueling your boat. This ensures the best results for your vessel while avoiding any problems.
Read on to learn what you should do before fueling your boat.
1. Secure Your Boat
Having your boat drifting around during the fueling process is dangerous for you and the vessel. Your vessel should also not be started.
Turn it off, and securely dock your boat. This ensures it will be stable throughout the process and reduce the chance of spills.
2. Ensure That You Have Your Fire Extinguisher
No matter how experienced you are, spills are always possible and could cause severe problems. To be on the safe side, never fuel without a fire extinguisher on hand. This will allow you to stop serious issues before they begin.
3. Remove Flammable Objects
Considering gasoline is one of the most flammable liquids, you want to be careful with what you keep around it. Keep all sparks and flames far away from your vessel to prevent explosives. This means no smoking, galley stove, matches, or messing with electrical equipment. Put everything away before you start the engine.
4. Empty the Boat of Any Passengers
Once you've gathered what you need and put away any chance of explosives, it's time for all the passengers to exit the vessel. Having it empty of people ensures that the boat is stable and won't rock during the fill-up.
5. Close Off Any Openings for Fumes
Once everything is prepared, and everyone has left, it's time to close off all entryways for fumes onto your boat. Close windows, hatches, ports, and doors to ensure that fumes stay outside.
What Should You Do While Fueling Your Boat?
You've done everything to get ready, and now it's time to start filling your tanks. Here are some things you need to know.
1. Remove Portable Tanks and Fill
By taking out portable tanks and fueling on the dock, you decrease the dangers of spills in case they should happen. It doesn't get more stable than a portable tank on the dock.
Important Tip: Do not fill over 90% of the tanks. Because gasoline expands and contracts depending on the temperature, 90% container capacity is the safe limit for gasoline to prevent fuel vent discharge.
2. Prevent Spills
To stop the buildup of static, firmly hold the nozzle's head in place in the opening. If there's an uncovered vent, this leaves you open to the possibility of a spill. Cover this with a pad to stop a spill before it occurs.
What Should You Do After Fueling Your Boat and Before Starting the Engine?
Just because you've filled the tank doesn't mean you're ready to ride off into the sunset. Follow these last few tips to keep you and your vessel safe.
1. Ensure the Cap Is Tight
The cap on the fuel tank should be very tight to stop fuel from escaping and keep unwelcome bits of debris out of the tank.
2. Let Air Circulate and Fumes Dissipate
Before you start the engine, you want to ensure that any fumes that may have accidentally entered the vessel are given the proper ventilation and circulation to escape. Do this by opening up all the airways you closed before you start the engine. Use your nose to detect if fumes are still aboard or if the air smells fresh.
If you have a gasoline engine that's inboard, you can turn on the blower feature. Let this go for four minutes, ensuring all fumes are dispelled.
What Influences Your Boat's Gas Consumption?
Engine Condition
An engine in good condition will work far more effectively than one on its last legs. Regularly perform basic engine maintenance by checking the oil's levels, conditions, and filters to ensure it gets the support needed to run well and propel your boat.
Weight Distribution
If your vessel is burdened with too much weight or the weight onboard is unevenly distributed, this will cause a drag on the boat. The more it struggles to ride with so much of a burden, the more fuel it will lose, burning a hole in your pocket.
The Hull's Cleanliness
Washing your boat may seem like an unnecessary chore, but keeping things tidy can save you time and money. When the hull is dirty, there's a drag in the water, causing your vessel to use up more gasoline.
A clean hull will move effortlessly through the water. So the cleaner you keep it, the less time and money you'll spend filling up because you'll be using less every time you ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
At What Point Should You Open All Windows and Hatches When Fueling a Boat?
Before you begin pouring gasoline, you should have closed all your windows and hatches — anywhere the fumes of the gas could have escaped into the boat.
But at what point should you open all windows and hatches when fueling a boat? Once you're entirely done with fueling, it is time to air out the boat and allow air to circulate. That's the point at which you can open the windows and hatches again before taking off.
What Is Important to Remember When Fueling a Boat?
While there are many steps that anyone should learn when asking, “what should you do before and while fueling your boat?” one thing is important above all else: staying safe.
Before you take a step in the process of adding gasoline, consider if it's the safest way to do things. Remember that you want to ensure there's nothing flammable, that fumes are restricted from going onboard, and the craft can air out before starting up again.
What Safety Precautions Should You Take?
Remember this:
Close windows and hatches before starting to block fumes.
Be careful with portable tanks. Fill them on deck and don't fill over 90% capacity.
Don't allow passengers to remain aboard during the process.
Always have a fire extinguisher on hand.
With the proper preparation, you'll always know how to handle any situation with your vessel. This will prevent severe problems while protecting your investment.
Should You Fuel During the Day or at Night?
Because gasoline is such a dangerous substance to work with, you should try to limit topping off to daylight hours.
Adding gasoline at night could lead to more errors and more severe problems. However, working during the daytime will allow you to work more effectively and efficiently.
If you find yourself needing gas after dark, use electric lights to avoid a reaction between the lights and gasoline.
Are Portable Tanks Safe?
Portable tanks are an excellent way to ensure you always have gasoline on hand, even when you're far out from a station. While portable tanks are generally safe, they require a little more attention.
For example, portable tanks should be filled on a dock. This way, if there's a spill, it's far away from your vessel to avoid a more significant issue.
Additionally, you want to then store the tanks somewhere safe while onboard. Portable gasoline tanks must be somewhere well-vented, so there aren't any fumes or damage to electrical equipment.
What Should You Do When Oil Spills?
Accidents happen. What's important is how you react to those accidents. So when there's a spill, you must know how to take action properly.
First, stop the spill. Next, clean up as much of the spill as you can with absorbent rags.
If you see that some spills have gotten into the water, you must contact your local Coast Guard.
Do not try to clean out the oil in the water. It's great if you want to help, but cleaning up oil spills in the water is far too dangerous. And adding chemicals may only further harm the water. You should leave it to the professionals for the best and safest results.
Keep Your Boat Fueled and Safe
Now you have the answers to all your questions from at what point should you open all windows and hatches when fueling a boat to why keeping your hull is so essential. With this knowledge, you can now rest assured in your fueling abilities, your understanding of what should you do before and while fueling your boat, and your safety procedures.
In no time, you'll be comfortably fueling up and answering newbies' questions like what should you do before and while fueling your boat. If your ship is running low, follow this guide to learn what should you do before fueling your boat and after.