What Wood to use to Secure Fuel Cans to Stanchions?

[Tayana42]

For our upcoming cruise to Mexico I want to secure 4 Gerry cans (5 gallon tall) on deck. I am planning on a board u-bolted between lifeline stanchions (1 1/4" about 6 and a half feet apart) on each side deck and lashing the cans to that. My questions are 1) What dimension lumber do I need? Would 1x6 be sufficient? 2) What type of wood should I use? I am planning on a one year cruise so I don't need the lumber to survive forever but I want sufficient strength for the purpose and a decent look on deck.

I hope this hasn't been asked and answered before. I did search the forum and didn't see the same question asked. Thanks for your input.

[FSMike]

When I did something similar on my last monohull I just lashed each jerry jug to a stanchion. Worked fine.

[Tellie]

I did the 1x6 board U-bolted to the stanchions as well. But just a suggestion, I spent a few extra dollars and used the composite plastic 1X6 boards used for decking found at Home Depot type stores. They are just as strong and need zero maintenance. Mine have been on my boat for over five years and they look like the day I put them on.

[Paul Elliott]

I usually use 1x6 deck wood (stronger than fir, for example). I lash them to the stanchions. A pair of boards, upper and lower, is more secure than a single board, but I've done it both ways.

On one particularly rough trip I had used lighter 1x4 boards, and they were broken by the bashing they took as we were pounding into the heavy seas. This may have been a good thing, since it may have kept the stanchions from bending or breaking. It's actually not particularly ship-shape to attach jugs to the stanchions, since this can subject them to brutal loads. Still, many of us do this, and we usually get away with it.