Operating and maintaining a boat can be quite a costly endeavor, and it can occasionally seem very difficult to do it correctly.
You want to make sure that you care for a boat adequately and do everything necessary to keep it working at its absolute best for years to come.
You don’t want to skimp on the small details of owning a boat, and this even applies to tasks such as fueling your boat.
You might otherwise assume that fueling up your boat would be a simple task that could not go wrong. However, there are a number of things you want to make sure that you do for the betterment of your boat.
But what are the many things you should do before fueling your boat? Want to find out how to safely refuel your boat? Then make sure to keep on reading down below, because today we are going to show you everything you need to know.
Tie The Boat Down
The very first thing you should do before you set out to fuel up your boat is to ensure that it is securely tied down.
If you have docked the boat, then ensure that it is tied securely to the dock so that it will not slowly pull away as you fuel the boat.
If the boat were to move out of reach while you fuel it, you could end up leaking out valuable fuel that could ruin the quality of the water the boat is on.
If the boat is on dry land, it is still important to make sure that it is stable and tied down before you fuel it up. You don’t want the fuelling port to move away.
Turn Off All Electrics On Board
Before fueling, you should make sure that you have turned off most of the electrics on board, as those can create a fire risk that could cause the fuel to quickly ignite.
Turn Off The Boat Engine
Of course, once you have turned off everything on board and ensured that the boat is tied down you will want to make sure that the boat’s engine is turned off, as you do not want to run the risk of the fuel igniting as you pour it in.
Do Not Create An Open Flame Near The Fuel
Before you begin filling your boat with fuel, make sure that there are no open flames that could cause the fuel to ignite, as this can be incredibly dangerous and could lead to death.
Ensure that no one else is around the fueling area, especially if they are smoking or otherwise lighting a match. Don’t even allow them to do it on the surface of the boat.
Ensure That Everyone Is Off The Boat
One of the most important things that you can do before fuelling your boat is to ensure that all passengers are off of the boat and on the dock. This is so that there are no fire hazards.
Try to ensure that as few people are around the docking area before fueling the boat. Try and ask that passengers give you a wide berth as you fuel up, for your safety as well as theirs.
Check That The Fuel System Is In Working Order
If you are ever in doubt that it will be safe to fuel up your boat, then it is important to check the fuel system in its entirety, to ensure that it is working as it should.
This is not only important for safety but also helps to keep you from wasting fuel. You don’t want to suddenly discover that your boat has been leaking valuable fuel because of a fault in the fuel system.
Close All Windows And Doors On The Boat
Fuelling a boat naturally releases a number of fumes that can be incredibly pungent, and in large quantities can prove to be relatively poisonous.
Before you start fueling up your boat, make sure that all of the windows and doors onboard are closed, as this helps to keep the smell of fumes from getting trapped in rooms.
Getting rid of smells that have found their way into a room can be incredibly difficult, so it is best to prevent the situation from occurring in the first place!
Fill Up Fuel Tanks Separately
You may keep a number of fuel tanks filled up on the deck of your boat so that you always have a supply of fuel to depend on should you run out.
However, if you are filling these up, you should make sure to take them off of your boat before filling them up, as this helps to significantly reduce the potential fire risk.
Do Not Overfill The Fuel Tank
One thing you want to make sure of when fueling your boat is that you do not overfill the fuel tank. Make sure that you do not fill it over 90% of the tank’s capacity.
The reason for this is that fuel expands, and this can be incredibly hazardous for the health of the tank if it is overfilled.
To Wrap Up
Refueling your boat is not a complex task, but there are a number of things that you will need to do in order to ensure that the boat can be refueled safely without risk to health.
Make sure to keep all of these things in mind when you fuel your boat, and you will be able to do it safely!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The One Third Rule When Fueling In Your Boat?
The ‘One-third’ rule ensures that you have a third of your fuel for your outward journey, a third for your return journey, and another third for backup or emergencies!
Should You Let Your Tank Go Below Half?
You should not let your boat’s fuel tank go below half, because it increases the chance of a breakdown.
At What Point Should You Refuel?
Try to refuel your boat as soon as you notice it has gone below half of its fuel supply, as less fuel means that the fuel that is there will evaporate much quicker.
