About fuel and locking it up
Posted by FairSeafarer@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 40 comments
So, we're days from leaving for the south pacific, specifically from NZ to Fiji. Fuel is becoming expensive and we don't see things being much better up there.
We just fuelled up here at 3.824 NZD per litre (8.48 USD per gallon). Thankfully, we were half full before fuelling.
We fear Fiji, as well as other gov. in the islands, may have to ration fuel, and of course offert it to the locals in priority, depending on how scarce the ressource becomes. It happens with eggs or fresh produce in some remote places. With fuel, it will be a new reality.
I would not worry as much if I thought we would be on the boat at all times like usual... But we might have to leave her in a marina to travel overseas over an extended period of time. Maybe on a mooring ball. Not yet known.
I look at our fuel tank fillers, they are simple: pop up, turn, take off the cap and fill. In other words, no key, no deterrent. We have 350 gallons of fuel on board and I feel it's just "ready for the taking"...
What's your experience with locks of various types? Key, we're thinking they will rust and be widely unreliable. A bit like locks for the dinghy, never last more that 6 months at a time... Stardrive seems better? Those with a 2 dots key?
Travelling with kids, we will top up every chance we get, even when it's expensive. Then, if ever it becomes unavailable, we will at least be full when it does...
Also, before thinking that I'm criticizing my host country or its people, it's nothing like that. Thieving is part of what people do when ressource become sparse, its a worldwide thing. Fiji people are the nicest and we've never felt threatened in any way shape or form there. We love the Bula vibe and we're all for it. It's more than hello, google it.
Mal-De-Terre@reddit
I'd sooner go with a belowdecks ball valve than a lock which could more easily corrode and a key which I could very easily lose.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Loving the name Mal de terre. The only thing I suffer from because of the sea, lol.
Yes, I think that's what we will go with!
Bluesme01@reddit
Over $2,900 in fuel I would be thinking like you,, lock it up. When people do not have fuel to meet their daily needs they will be looking. I have heard there are wars over people trying steal oil.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
I've heard the same! I think it will be the ball valve installed from the inside
Shhheeeesshh@reddit
Locks only stop honest people, if they want what you have and you aren’t there to protect it they will find a way.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Yes, I know, it's a boat, not a fortress. The idea is just not to be the easiest target, get lucky and keep our fuel.
Shhheeeesshh@reddit
Play the mental game and get one that says water and use it as your fuel cap.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
I like that!
Shhheeeesshh@reddit
Just don’t forget!
EuphoricAd5826@reddit
Paranoia is a disease which has no cure.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Seriously? I'm merely trying for my boat not to be the easiest target. Paranoia is irrational fear. The fuel crisis is very very real. You either have a short memory or were born after those times or did not listen in school. Back track a little down memory lane and go read about the desperate things people did in the last fuel crisis and how wild things got, especially for fuel or gas thief. Do we fear this, well yes but it's not what we think about all day long, but it's one more thing to consider on a long list of concerns. We have 4 kids on board and fuel safety (or anything safety related) is important. You must be somewhere not too impacted by the fuel crisis thus far.
EuphoricAd5826@reddit
This has nothing to do with safety and everything to do with, fear.
Do you also believe every brown person out on a fishing skiff is a hijacker pirate coming to steal your boat?
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
That’s quite a leap.
I’m talking about basic risk management for a boat with large fuel capacity in remote areas during a fuel crisis.
Not sure why you felt the need to bring race into it. It says more about you than me, that's for sure.
enuct@reddit
if you are super concerned you could install a shutoff ballvalve in your fill line, but like with anything on a boat you are just keeping the honest thieves out.
a few good kicks will get you inside most boats, which is preferable to them cutting a hole in the side.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Yes, we just don't want to be the easiest target. They will get in by cutting our lock or forcing or breaking a big hatch. They will be very happy if they are smart enough to figure out how our fuel pump works, lol. We've used it to refuel other boats... really works well!
erittainvarma@reddit
Rather than doing something with the cap, probably the best solution is to put some sort of anti hose injection device like this: https://webshop.vetus.com/en/product/fuelsafe-fuel-theft-security
Another option would be to just add some valve to the fuel hose that is only accessible inside the boat.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Wow, thnaks! I have to look this up.
dwkfym@reddit
note there has been several times I have had to insert a hose into my fill cap - polishing for example.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
That's true! We have a fuel pump from the bottom of the tanks for fuel polishing.
sailphish@reddit
I really wouldn’t worry. There is a ton of other things someone can steal on your boat. Other than the one with the key (which is surely going to eventually break or get stuck leaving you with a much bigger problem). I have the 2 prong thing on my water tank, and usually just use a pair of needle nose pliers to open it because I’m too lazy to find the key. The star drive would be same. They are really just adding a tiny amount of inconvenience for you while offering no actual protection.
oldmaninparadise@reddit
Stealing fuel from a sailboat!?! Too much effort for the value. Especially if it’s diesel. You have 30 gallon tank? Thief doesn’t know if it half full, so they are going to break in for 15 gallons. If that is the case, the world is in really bad shape, and I would stay out sailing.
The 33’ searay in the slip nearby has 200 gallons and just as easy to take. And it’s gasoline.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Well that just the thing and you said it: the value. It's not too much trouble for value if it's rationed or absolutely out of price. And. everyone needs it. Also, it's 350 gallons that we carry. Some people here in NZ are even cancelling their whole season up the pacific islands based on the problem diesel is creating...
oldmaninparadise@reddit
OK. If you are carrying 350Gallons, that is a different story. I was just assuming you are a 25-50' boat. In that range usually 20-75 Gallons. If a cat w 2 engines maybe 120 gallons.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
It's a Columbia 56, a motor sailor with outrageous mileage capabilities considering our fuel consumption. Our autonomy is 3000 nm should we use it exclusively to move around. I don't want to give to someone else, lol.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
I think the cap won't do much, I agree... However, a valve inside is better. I think that's what we will do. Also, we know breaking into a boat is easy. The fuel will be worth protecting more than other stuff. It's foolish to think it would be very protected, still the goal is just not to be the easiest target. I don't think they'll have the time to take our Detroit Diesel 453 out, our the generator. They could take our batteries... For the record, we've never had anything stolen. Some friends have. It's part of cruising, what can I say?!
StatisticalMan@reddit
Locks like that don't really do anything. They are so cheaply made you hammer a screwdriver in and you can open it.
As others said use something INSIDE the boat. Either an anti-siphon valve or a ball valve shutoff. If the thief is determined they will get the fuel anyways but most would just move on to an easier target.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
I think it will be inside the boat, probably the best idea, and cheapest. But, let's face it, if someone is determined, they will get our fuel. The idea is simply not to be the easiest target.
keeldragger@reddit
Cruising is full of risks and with everything else considered, this would not be at the top of my list of concerns. A simple preventative measure like an anti-siphon mechanism would be your best bet. I'd hate to come back to my boat to have my fuel cap destroyed and no way to seal it off. Also, I cruise with 50 gal diesel on deck in jerry cans. I see no way to secure that. Lock your dinghy and outboard, though.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Agreed, there is nothing to do with the jerry cans on deck and we have many other concerns with cruising. It's just one more thing this season that we've never had to worry about. I think the ball valve is an easy one. I have yet to look into anti-siphon mechanism. I will take a look. And of course we lock our dinghy and outboard...
flyingron@reddit
They won't stop a determined thief. They're easily defeated with a large screw driver (or if they were clever, a wave rake will open that thing faster than with the key without damaging anything).
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
We know it won't stop a determined thief. It's a boat. The idea is just not to be the easiest target. I think we will go for the ball valve.
chisailor@reddit
I would just add a ball valve in line. Assuming you have access to the fuel fill line.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
I think that's exactly what we will do! Thanks!
Legal-Suspect-1590@reddit
All these are water traps. Guaranteed to allow a small drip of water into your tank from around the cap and above the seal, each time you open them. And small drips add to a puddle. And a puddle of water is enough to encourage diesel bug.
Mushroom type caps are the way to go.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Well, we open them 3 or 4 times a year. I think condensation on an low level tank is a bigger enemy. Anyways, after reading the helpful comments, I think we will go for the ball valve.
duggatron@reddit
Just swap the caps between the waste and fuel tanks so any would be thieves get more than they bargained for with the siphon.
FairSeafarer@reddit (OP)
Haha! I thought about it!
Classic_Cut_9666@reddit
Pop the fill up "key" up and place a small piece of chain over it which you can then attach with a padlock to a railing post. As long as it's kept tight, you shouldn't be able to turn the cap easily. Its more a better than nothing option and of course needs to be removed when sailing to avoid a trip hazard.
cymen@reddit
Have you tried putting a tube down the fill hose and seeing if you can get fuel out? I tried this on our boat to try to pump from one side to the other (catamaran with symettrical fuel tanks) but it turns out I couldn't even get a small polyproplene hose down to the tank. I'm sure it's possible somehow (maybe big enough rubber hose to "cork" the filler and put suction with a big pump) but it isn't easy in our case. I suspect it might be due to a right angle connector at the fuel tank.
I personally am not worried about theft. The reality of a sailboat is that if someone really wants to steal things, it's not that hard (including the whole boat).
pdq_sailor@reddit
do not rely upon deck locks to prevent fuel pumping out of your tank.. below deck put a ball valve in the fill line and lock access hatches securely... One of the best ways to do so is to use low stretch lines and blocks attached to the under side of the hatch and led to hidden places inside the boat on cleats.. a cam cleat or jam cleat will work fine.... This way no physical locks on the outside to cut...You only need secure locks on the entry ways to the cabin and these can be alarmed...