LOL you seemly have never done long distance trips. With proper exploration ship refuelling is very very easy and fast and safe. My Krait basically tops its tank after one jump in seconds, (and I usually top it every with every jump if it is possible) And you really can survive nearly undefinitely long in deep black. My longest trip was from Sol to Ishum's Reach, from there to Colonia, and back to Sol. About as far as you can go from Sol without carrier.
Simple rule for fuel scooping, align so that star is above you, check where drop out zone circle goes, and keep it above your bow. And circle the star. Keep an eye at temperature gauge, though with proper exploration ship heat problem is manageable, it just does not take much heat.
Check out my signature, that Elite rank in exploration was not got by going around the bubble