Getting gas to your boat

[Guma]

We are having a dock/boathouse built and there is not a marina of any sorts on the lake we live on. For those of you that do this how do you get gas to your dock?

I found a gas kart at West Marine that holds 28 gallons of gas, but I gotta think this is extremely heavy to get in and out of a truck and then roll to the dock, through grass, sand, etc...

Maybe keeping it simple with a few 5 gallon cans always on hand, but with a 47 gallon gas tank seems like a lot of work.

[robert theisen]

We are having a dock/boathouse built and there is not a marina of any sorts on the lake we live on. For those of you that do this how do you get gas to your dock?

I found a gas kart at West Marine that holds 28 gallons of gas, but I gotta think this is extremely heavy to get in and out of a truck and then roll to the dock, through grass, sand, etc...

Maybe keeping it simple with a few 5 gallon cans always on hand, but with a 47 gallon gas tank seems like a lot of work.

I have 40 gallons worth of 5 gallon cans.I fill up every time after we come back in so 15 gallons is the most i've put in.Usually it's 5 or 10.

[chpthril]

The rolly gas buddies with hand pump are the way to go, but yes, it would be heavy to lift out of the truck. If your gonna fill one in the bed of the truck, make a ground strap off the frame of the truck to the gasbuddy so the nozzle is grounded. Otherwise static electricity can build up.

[Guma]

I also found a 14 gallon roll around caddy that doesn't need an extra pump for around $150 on Overton's. Figure 6lbs to a gallon of gas that shouldn't be too bad for two guys to load and unload. Robert I always try to keep a full tank as well, so this should suffice for a day on the water.

chpthril - Thanks for ground strap info. Also I got my other sac today, and will get it plumbed in tomorrow, Thanks again buddy!

[Crosstx]

We have 90 gal tanks with transfer pumps in the bed of all our work trucks for fueling up our equipment in the field. Maybe something like that to fill up your gas buddy thing so you don't have to loft it.
Otherwise maybe invest in a A frame with a hoist to get it out of your truck.

[91Terminator]

I also found a 14 gallon roll around caddy that doesn't need an extra pump for around $150 on Overton's. Figure 6lbs to a gallon of gas that shouldn't be too bad for two guys to load and unload. Robert I always try to keep a full tank as well, so this should suffice for a day on the water.

chpthril - Thanks for ground strap info. Also I got my other sac today, and will get it plumbed in tomorrow, Thanks again buddy!

Use the gas caddy from overton's. Its gravity feed and simple. we have used them for at least 15 years and both neighbors have them for about that long as well no problems for all 3 of us.

[Guma]

Use the gas caddy from overton's. Its gravity feed and simple. we have used them for at least 15 years and both neighbors have them for about that long as well no problems for all 3 of us.

Yep, already leaning in that direction and have it bookmarked for purchase in about a month or so.

[jbort]

We start the season w full tank and never get lower than 1/4 in the boat. I use 6 gal cans (4) in the wheelbarrow then down the trail 100 yards and good for 4 hrs of run time- we r usually out 1-2 hrs per run. Works well since we almost never go out for longer than that since we have the dock which is hangout central w lots of water toys (kayak, canoe, floaties, etc,). Then I runup to gas station for refill at night. We have 2 marinas about 20 mins by boat but gas is $1 per gal more costly so I save $25-50 per weekend. First time w a dock? it changes your boating approach bigtime.

[jbort]

What kind of lake? big? small? private?

[Booms]

We have tried both techniques. The 6 gallon can approach and the big 28 gallon wheeled gas buddy. Our Set up one small boat house used for staorage, three boat lifts and two docks that are 20 feet lower than the grade of our cottage. So we have many steps to get to the water.
The 5 - 6 gallon can approach is easier due to weight but is a pain in the arsh trying to fill a floating boat (we have a lift but the supports are in the way of the gas fill up on the boat to fit a 6 gal can). So I went to the hardware store and bought a 6" dia 30" long PVC pipe, all the connectors needed to connect to clear 1/2" dia 15 ft long flexible tubing. I then connected the 6" pvc pipe to the dock using the wood bumpers we have installed. Then using other pvc connectors I run the flex tubing from the pvc pipe to the boat. I can then pour the gas from the 6 gal cans into the pvc pipe without spilling. Works slick.

But then I found a 28 Gal gas buddy at a rummage sale for $20. I think it is the best way to go because it is only one trip up and down to the boat. It also has a nozzle which is easier to get gas into the boat. I can also fill the boat on the lift. Granted it is heavy (~200 lbs) when full so I ground it when filling it up in the truck or utility golf cart. Have some help me get it out of the vehicle. I would recommend getting the pump. With gravity feed it will take 20 minutes to empty it.

You can't go wrong either of the choices. If you are like me you will rig/engineer a way to make it easier on yourself.

[travis5550]

I use 3x5-gallon tanks that I pull down to the boat on a collapsible cart that I got from Costco for about $55 (http://reviews.costco.com/2070/11306...ws/reviews.htm).

I then use a $9 syphon I got from Amazon that is AWESOME. Shake it a few times, and it drains all of the gas from the can into the tank. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EH0ORI)

[brody66]

We just pull the boat off the lake once a week to clean and fill the tank.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

Can you install a 100 gallon (or so) fixed tank in the boat house and then keep it topped off with 5 gal jugs?

[91Terminator]

Yep, already leaning in that direction and have it bookmarked for purchase in about a month or so.

Ya. Both of the neighbors have the 28 gal tank. Worked great if you have a truck or SUV. But for some reason I dont think they make it anymore. One customer larry is renting our boat house till he gets a house on the lake and he has the 11 gal tank form overton's he loves it, and it fits in the trunk of his car. He uses the boat at least 3 times a week so it seems to do alright for him.

[mjsti]

We normally use a combination of two 5 gallon cans along with a 15 gallon "flo-n-go" on wheels.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...31&cm_pla=Fuel Transfer + Lubrication>Auxiliary, Transfer, + Skid Tanks&cm_cat=Google&cm_ven=Aggregates

With it filled it weighs around 100 lbs so its light enough to be handled by one person, if need be. Gravity fed so it takes a while to drain, but the handle also serves as a pump if you feel like working your forearm muscles.

We sometimes buy fuel at the marinas if we're in a rush, but they're normally $1.00 plus per gallon more so it doesn't take long for the flo-n-go to pay for itself.