"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 19 May 2012 14:38:51 -0400, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote:

It's so dumb to NOT have them
just because there's a miniscule chance the valve might leak a little
fuel
into the bilge. Only a dumbass would neglect to close and secure the
valve
with a wire or a tie-wrap. etc.

===

I've seen perfectly good valves develop slow, and sometimes not so
slow leaks. Have you ever seen a gasoline fire or explosion on a
boat? I've seen 3 and they are very spectacular. The risk of *any*
gasoline at all in the bilge is way too high.




A high quality ball valve rated for gasoline does not leak. An example:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-tp/11...all_Valve.html

Simply stated, it is STUPID to have an installed fuel tank that you cannot
get water out of. The simple expedient of a sump built into the bottom of
the tank with a proper fuel ball valve which is easily accessible for
draining of water will eliminate all sorts of problems.

For example, one can get into a whole lot of trouble having an engine quit
at just the wrong time. Such an outage could even result in the loss of
the vessel and lives to boot. I think the risk of gasoline fire from a
properly fitted fuel tank drain valve is too small to worry about compared
to the consequences of not having one.

And, yes, I have seen two or three vessels catch on fire and burn. It's
pretty spectacular. But, in both cases they were diesel boats. Both had
propane tanks venting spectacular gouts of flame and eventual explosions.


Wilbur Hubbard