A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Over the past couple of weeks have have noticed a slight odor of gas when opening rod lockers and other compartments in my boat. I have limited access to the gas tank and hoses as the tank is under the floor in my 201 Back Country. There is an access point in front of the center console and I can see the top of the fuel tank and a hose that clamps on to the top of it. The hose looks pretty warn and rubber comes off on your fingers when touched.
Went fishing on Saturday and hit the bilge pump after taking a bit of water over the stern.... about a gallon of fuel came out. We immediatley took the boat out of the water and it is now at the shop. Any insight to what the problem might be would be a great help. What is the likely hood that there is a leak in the tank (It is Aluminum). Seems to me that this would be the least likely problem.
Chances are your tank is foamed in so I doubt you would see any gas from a hole in the tank. The gasket from the sending unit may be not sealing or your fuel fill hose could have a crack in it. Had the boat been sitting or had you filled it up that day?
The boat sat for months under the previous owner. I bought it a little over 2mths ago and it has been used every weekend since. I filled it up on Friday night.. noticed the problem on Saturday. Man I really hope you guys are right.
On my old Back Country there was service hatches to gain access to the sending unit and fill hose. If the tank is leaking you have two choices - saw or removing the cap - if it is like my old boat.
Is the tank slow to fill at the gas pump? I had a Sea Pro that had a crimp in the filler hose. Eventually, the corner of the crimped hose rubbing on the boat hull caused a leak that would only spill fuel when filling.
I would replace your filler hose first, then have the tank checked if that doesn't cure the problem.
JT's question above is not a dumb question - you wouldn't believe how many folks I've seen shove a gas hose in a rod holder right next to the filler cap and pump the bilge full. One guy pumped 80 gallons into the bilge of a cabin cruiser at Sea Gull Marina in Englewood, Fl.
Be sure you get it fixed, and Good Luck!
Steve Stinson
captkeyser wrote:Are you sure you put the gas hose in the right place when you filled up?
Hey, I know a guy who put 50, yes 50 gallons of fuel in his rod holder Funny thing is that his boat WAS a polar.......... Wont , didnt or ever hold 50 gallons in that 30 gallon or so fuel tank ........ "Heres your Sign"
He had to call the fire dept and hazmat was called in. Both batteries were covered over with gas. Boat had to be distroyed.
He didnt have insurance..... Not that would have mattered. I am sure there is a dumb ass clause in every policy for sure.
Just thought I'd give an update. Ended up having Mikes Marine Ways gut the tank and replace as. They did an absolutely amazing job. Picked it up last weekend and had my fingers crossed the whole way down. Was amazed at the work they did.
If anybody needs fiberglass work down, I STRONGLY recommend Mikes Marine Ways. JUst good people!
Over the past couple of weeks have have noticed a slight odor of gas when opening rod lockers and other compartments in my boat. I have limited access to the gas tank and hoses as the tank is under the floor in my 201 Back Country. There is an access point in front of the center console and I can see the top of the fuel tank and a hose that clamps on to the top of it. The hose looks pretty warn and rubber comes off on your fingers when touched.
Funny thing is that his boat WAS a polar.......... Wont , didnt or ever hold 50 gallons in that 30 gallon or so fuel tank ........ "Heres your Sign" 
