Depends..... how good are you at cooking a nice meal on your bbq?

Bundeenabuoy said..
My outboard engine petrol tank is in an enclosed area.
My thinking is to make sure the fuel line is disconnected from the tank and the engine, and then run the engine until it if empty.
My bar-b-que will be 5ft away from the engine and fuel tank.
Is it safe to use?

Hi BB

I don't think many people would be keen to give you an answer on this one.

We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.

FreeRadical said..
We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.

Thats encouraging.
I have read that the gas given off from fuel and the LPG are heavier than air and can sit at the bottom of the boat.
I have even heard of someone vacuuming the bilge to get rid of them.
I am thinking that as long as I can't smell fuel I should be OK.
Surely the morning after stopping for the night should be fine.
The motor, fuel line and tank are nearly new.

Bundeenabuoy said..

FreeRadical said..
We have our outboard stowed for trips on one side of pushpit, gas bbq on the other, outboard fuel tank gets stored in ventilated locker (same one as gas bottle). We are yet to blow up! Outboard is only run dry of fuel when its going to be stored for a while at the end of a trip. Connecting/disconnecting the outboard fuel line can leave a few drops of fuel about, so I just let it dry off and remember to close fuel tank breather before stowing in locker. Probably not a good idea to be doing all this at the same time as cooking on the bbq, so just do one job before the other.

Thats encouraging.
I have read that the gas given off from fuel and the LPG are heavier than air and can sit at the bottom of the boat.
I have even heard of someone vacuuming the bilge to get rid of them.
I am thinking that as long as I can't smell fuel I should be OK.
Surely the morning after stopping for the night should be fine.
The motor, fuel line and tank are nearly new.

In WA, a gas detection system is required if you have a fixed gas system on your boat. Minimum of 2 sensors required, mounted low down.

Our gas bottle locker/fuel locker is completely sealed from the cabin and vents overboard. I wouldn't store petrol down in the cabin or any locker not totally sealed from the cabin.