Dinghy Gas Tank Placement

[montenido]

Hi all,

I bare-boated this summer in the BVIs, and the supplied dinghy carried the fuel tank in the bow, in a built-in compartment. This was really handy, as we were not tripping over it all the time.

Where do all of you keep your fuel tank in your inflatable dinghies? I have always let it bounce around near the transom, but I am considering building in a small fiddle-type of bracket to hold my gas tank in the bow. My dinghy is one of the LW RIBs sold by WM.

Opinions? Tips?

Thanks, Bill

[imagine2frolic]

I have a 12ft. Caribe with floor, and chain locker. I tie the tank down to the lifting tabs at the rear portion of the chain locker. It keeps it secure, can be moved easily any time, and balances the dink......i2f

[TQA]

I have a lifting eye in the bow of my Caribe and tie the tank to that so that it sits under the seat. Anchor and rode sits in front o the tank.

[pdqaltair]

It takes the sitting and stepping-up load (rather than the tubes) and gives us a place to stash bits and pieces, including a 1-gallon gas can when needed. The wieght placement is better too, as tenders are often stern-heavy.

Sail Delmarva: A Few Projects

[ggray]

We have an 11 1/2 foot AB aluminum RIB.

Most of the floor (or should I say sole) is a flat double bottom, but the extreme forward is single bottom, so is a v'ed bottom open area. We kept the 3 gal tank up there, but it would tilt over and leak some gas, if close to full. And one was always trying to step beside it to climb over the bow. It was really kind of dangerous.

So I built a sort of box with a bottom that fit the bow area, that the tank fits in. It was a close fit, so I didn't have much room to play with. I glued some closed cell foam that I had to the top of it to make a nice seat as well as giving good traction when using it as a step to climb over the bow.

But why stop there? The rowing thwart/seat was always getting in the way when moving about, so I made a removable stabilizing base for the front end of the box so that the box can be moved to a position for rowing, or under power with only one on board (though I rarely go to the trouble). Now the original seat is in the attic, out of the way.

I may have some pics that I can get to in a few days, or can take some the next time at the boat.

But it all works well, and keeps the weight and clutter of the fuel tank up forward where it belongs.

[ggray]

I found the pics of my fuel tank holder/step/front seat/rowing seat, but I'm not sure how to attach them, or even if I'm allowed to yet, but if anyone is interested, send me a PM.

[T37Chef]

Our 9' Achilles RIB has a strap & eyelets where the 3 gallon gas tank can secured just aft of the forward seat, I have moved it forward so it sits just under the forward seat.

[ggray]

Looks like I need to increase my number of posts to PM

[ggray]

Some more please

[ggray]

Couple more