gas tank fill hose?

[amuller]

I'm working on a 15.5 ft Lund (Shell Lake) trihull. 1972. The fill hose was radiator hose when I got it. The fill hose I bought is very stiff stuff with wire in it. I don't think it's flexible enough to go in, and if I force it I'll worry about the strain on the (tin) tank.

Seems to me the original hose must have been a molded or corrugated piece, or at least something a lot more flexible.

Can anybody advise? I know boat construction standards have changed since 1972, but I want it to be safe.....

Thanks.

am

 

[JoLin]

Re: gas tank fill hose?

I doubt that it was a molded hose originally, and as you noted, the 'right' stuff is darned hard to work with. I'd bend it roughly into place, then grease the end of the hose and the tank flange nipple. That might help.

I did this job on my old 21' Pro-line, and it's the only job I did on that boat that nearly defeated me. Stick with it. It's truly a safety issue that you want to take care of.

Good luck!

 

[sasto]

Re: gas tank fill hose?

If I were to replace one... I would use the hose you have if possible. I take a pair of pliers and pull out some wire on each end only to where the hose clamps go. Snip it off flush. This will give you a better, more snug fit than if you were to leave the wire in. Reinforced hose is your best bet, if possible.

 

[amuller]

Re: gas tank fill hose?

Trident, apparently, makes a corrugated hose:

http://www.tridentmarine.com/stage/fuel.htm

http://www.hydraulic-supply.com/html/productline/prodcat/marinefuel-fill-hose.htm

I called Trident and was told that the bend radius for their regular 1.5" filler hose is 5.5". For their corrugated is it 5". Not that much difference.

But the force required to bend it is less--how much less?--for the corrugated.

I don't have any quick way to get a hold of a piece so can't check it out....

Alan

 

[sasto]

Re: gas tank fill hose?

Allen, If she were mine in this situation I would go with my gut feeling. You are on the right track as far as I know.

 

[Ned L]

Re: gas tank fill hose?

... And you should run a ground wire from the underside of the metal thru-deck fill fitting to the metal tank itself to help dissipate any static charge while fueling.