Fuel can deck storage

[Dredknot]

Does anyone have a good method of securing 5 Gallon cans on a monohull?

[skipmac]

Most people just tie them to the lifelines or stern rail.

[Mike OReilly]

I secure mine to my shroud chain plate and mid-ships stanchion. They are lashed there snug against the toe-rail, which is quite high and substantial on my boat.

[BillKny]

I added a square stainless steel tube secured to stanchions with u-bolts, and then jerry cans lashed to that. More secure than using lifelines.

If you are using plastic cans, they expand and contract a LOT with changes in temperature and resulting internal pressure. It can be a challenge tying them on a hot day, and having them stay secure on a cool night. A safety line around the handle is good insurance.

[psk125]

Try to put them where boarding seas won't move them (and your stanchions).

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by psk125

Try to put them where boarding seas won't move them (and your stanchions).

That’s always been at the back of my mind as I lash ours to the shrouds and turnbuckles.

[Celestialsailor]

I stowed mine in the lazarette in glassed in dividers. The were higher than the integral fuel tank and could facilitate a siphon system.

[sv Grateful]

It's a joy indeed when the seal in the caps leak or a hole gets chafed into the plastic. Diesel fuel and water on deck are a special kind of magic.

Can you really not make the passage without extra fuel?

[SV Siren]

What I have seen, but have no need to use, is to secure jerry cans to a fender board which is then secured to stanchions.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Dredknot.

I used the fender board solution, similar to that Siren pictured.
IIRC, mine only spanned two stanchions.

[BillKny]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

I stowed mine in the lazarette in glassed in dividers. The were higher than the integral fuel tank and could facilitate a siphon system.

Interior locker storage is fine for diesel and water, but not appropriate for gasoline. Most cruisers still need gasoline for the dinghy... Storage of volatile material anywhere below deck without a lot of care and thought is bad news...

[Peeew]

I found a few zippered nylon flight bags at a military surplus store. I keep two 5 gallon jugs in one,one gas and one diesel, tied to lifelines/stanchions. I leave the zipper open a bit for venting fumes and tie them so the bag can float free a bit if a big enough wave really hits. Since I tie the bag and not the cans there is room to swell. The bag was only $10. US and used. So far on a few Gulf Stream crossings and months long trips this has been a good solution for me.

[JebLostInSpace]

I don't keep any jerry cans on deck. I have a tiny (1 gal) gasoline can that rides in my dinghy on the davits. I suppose you could put diesel cans in there as well for a long passage, assuming you have nice high davits that would be safe on passage.

I crewed a boat that used the fender board system pictured above. We actually needed the fuel when we got a week of calms between Nassau and New York. It was very handy to grab them from the rail there. The downside was it made the side decks really cramped so it was awkward to go forward. We saw some decent 10-foot seas but never had them washing the deck that far aft, so they stayed nice and secure there. In real heavy weather I would worry about them.

Finally, I've always wondered about storing a few near the base of the mast. I've never seen anyone doing it, but I have seen people storing a life raft in that position. Either just forward or just aft of the mast. The life raft arrangements usually have hard points installed specifically for lashing it down, which you might have to add. But a blocky, almost never moved, bit of gear seems to work well placed there.

[wholybee]

I also use the board between stanchions solution. I couldn't figure a way to secure them anywhere else where they would not move. They can be cinched tight on the board and not move at all.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by JebLostInSpace

... Finally, I've always wondered about storing a few near the base of the mast. I've never seen anyone doing it, but I have seen people storing a life raft in that position. ...

I’ve seen all sorts of things, including jerry cans, lashed to granny bars [mast pulpit?].