Getting gas from boat gas tank

Sauza45

Sauza45

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Location
Sarasota
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Canyon 271
Ok after going through 2 hurricanes the last one being Milton, living in Sarasota took a direct hit.
House and boat fine. No gas anywhere. Having over 100 gallons of gas on the boat I tried to siphon it out for my generator. Took the sending unit out but could not get fuel to siphon out because the gas jug was higher than the tank.
Any ideas on how to get the fuel out of the tank? I thought about those battery operated transfer pumps but not sure.
Hopefully will never need it but want to be ready just in case.
 
If the boat is on land use a long hose, coil it a bit to make it longer where it hangs down to increase suction and put the jug on the tarmac. This works mostly but is slow. Same as using a gasoline engine car LP fuel pump, they are safe but very slow.
Gasoline approved fuel pumps are expensive and not approved ones are dangerous to ignite a fire.
You may ask a fuel polishing company to do it if necessary but that will probably economical nonsense but asking for a quote is free.
Chris
 
Yes, for siphoning, the exit end of the hose must be lower than the input end. I think it has something to do with the way physics works... ;)

If you get a battery powered pump, MAKE SURE it is compatible with gas. The last thing you want is to use a normal pump only to have everything go up in smoke!

A cheap alternative for getting a small amount out (takes a little while) is one of those small kerosene pumps - or even a boat's fuel bulb that you either temporarily re-purpose or just have an extra one to use for this purpose. It's not too bad to use this method, though - you can get a gallon in just a couple minutes.
 
The cheap battery pumps work great, but there is the potential hazard pumping out of the sending unit port.
Another option is to disconnect the fuel line going to the engine. Connect a longer tube to the receiving tank, but make sure it is lower than the boat tank. Squeeze the primer bulb till fuel makes it over the highest point. After that it should draw on it's own. Just be prepared to stop the fuel flow when the receiving tank gets close to full!
 
I have a gas tapper 12v gas transfer pump. Not very fast but works very well for pumping out fuel tanks.
 
I have siphoned through the sender opening. I used a manual push and pull pump. It takes a long time and a lot of effort. The electric transfer pump is a better approach but it must be certified for gasoline as mentioned.
Take note that a transfer pump rated for diesel is NOT rated for gas automatically. It has to be specific.
 
I built a transfer hose using an automotive fuel pump. I disconnect fuel line to engine after the primer bulb and connect pump setup. I use it to get ethanol free fuel out of my boat for my lawn equipment.

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Not a fan. Kinda like fixing a trailer on the highway. Too many things can go wrong.
 
Hookup1 said:
I built a transfer hose using an automotive fuel pump. I disconnect fuel line to engine after the primer bulb and connect pump setup. I use it to get ethanol free fuel out of my boat for my lawn equipment.

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That's the way to do it. Nice long power leads to keep the battery away while connecting.
 
TMANN said:
That's the way to do it. Nice long power leads to keep the battery away while connecting.
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I plug it into the lighter socket at the helm or in the car. Boat is usually on trailer with gas cans are on the ground. Also used it to empty tanks or transfer from one to the other. Gravity helpful but not necessary.
 
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Sardinia306Canyon said:
Yep, i use them for many years and for all my devices with fuel tanks and it just works great.
The ones with small hose diameter are considerable slower than the bigger diameter ones!
Chris
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I have also used them for siphoning out motorcycle tanks but I have always had the benefit of the bottom of the tank being significantly higher up than the receiving vessel. One word of caution with all of these methods is to make sure you can stop the flow. Lift top of hose up from tank but some will flow still while you do that. If you lift off from receiving vessel you will make a mess.
Careful with electric non certified and not well grounded pumps.

H
 
why not just get a hand operated bilge pump?
 
Said it rated for gas, not the best but I think it will work in emergency. Harbor freight 12.95
Thanks for all the suggestions, hope I don’t ever need it.
 

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Sauza45 said:
Said it rated for gas, not the best but I think it will work in emergency. Harbor freight 12.95
Thanks for all the suggestions, hope I don’t ever need it.
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I think that's the same one I have and used it for gas. Slow, but good enough for $13 and occasional use. You can lengthen the "tube" that goes into the tank with some tight fitting hose if needed.
 
For small amounts of gas, it will work. I used a similar model way back (after Sandy). It takes a lot of time and effort to get a small amount of gas.
It pumps about the same amount per squeeze as you primer bulb would. If you need to draw gas several times, the electric transfer pump (gasoline rated) attached to the hose that feeds the primer bulb is a much better idea, much better.
If you keep pulling the sender out and reinstalling, eventually the gasket will leak.
 
Although I should add... I distinctly remembering using it the first couple of times and wondering whether or not I could trust HF's "rating" o_O

If memory serves, the actual first time... I turned it on and immediately ran away for a couple of minutes :D
 
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DennisG01 said:
Although I should add... I distinctly remembering using it the first couple of times and wondering whether or not I could trust HF's "rating" o_O

If memory serves, the actual first time... I turned it on and immediately ran away for a couple of minutes :D
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I've used one. It got the job done and I lived to tell about it. So far there are no reviews on HF indicating death by fireball.
That said, if it's dry out with zero wind, I might think twice. Also, don't get the bright idea of changing batteries near the open tank with the switch on!
 
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