Blower/venting the fuel area.

[richg99]

Way back when I owned some sailboats, it was mandatory that I run a blower fan before starting my gasoline ( Atomic 4 ) engine.

I just bought a 160W Lowe aluminum bass boat. I've read here, but haven't yet experienced it...about some guys getting a "fuel smell" on similar boats.

The gas tank on this boat is under a covered hatch. I haven't had the boat long enough, nor do I have a manual ( boat is ten years old)...but....it seems that none of the prior comments even mentioned a blower fan.

What is "normal" on bass boats or other craft with a closed fuel compartment?

Any help, comments or suggests appreciated. thanks rich

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

Ayuh,... Normally they're static vented... It's an Outboard motor, Right,..??

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

Not sure if it's a law around here, but anything with an inboard needs a blower!
It's just common sense.

If you have an outboard and the tank is in a closed fuel compartment it HAS to have a vent outside the boat.
Check and make sure someone did 'the right thing'

A tank in a compartment should have a vent outside the boat.
Normally!
Gas fumes are heavier than air, but your bilge or compartments shouldn't smell!

 

[richg99]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

Well, as I probably didn't explain well enough in my original post...yes...it IS an outboard motor.

The fuel tank, however, is "below decks"....i.e. a hatched compartment. Same compartment holds the batteries! Now, I've owned enough boats (20 or more) to not be a worry-wort...but...surely there must be some "Standard" that is applicable. A hole//vent some-where-nearby doesn't seem to meet any standard that I can think of.

Lowe has been making boats for a zillion years. Additionally, there are probably more bass boats in the US than boats of any sort in a half dozen smaller countries. They (bass boats)must all have some arrangement or configuration that is similar to this one?????

As you can guess, this is the first "bass-boat-configuration" that I have owned.
All of the others were open decked arrangements, with the fuel outside or under a very open console. None were in a closed compartment along with the batteries.

I just hoped to find someone with a similar rig who has already gone through this issue in depth.

Thanks Rich

 

[NYBo]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

My '81 HydraSport bass boat had the same type of setup for venting, but it had portable tanks, which changes the equation.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

but...surely there must be some "Standard" that is applicable. A hole//vent some-where-nearby doesn't seem to meet any standard that I can think of.

Ayuh,... Fishbone just explained it,...
The "Standard" is that your fuel tank Don't Leak, 'n is vented to the overboard of the boat...
And that Inclosed motors, Not outboards need powered venting...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

If its the oem tank, as others mentioned it vents outside the compartment, there is absolutely zero chance of fumes inside that compartment because of it.

What sometimes happens is that the original tanks go bad for whatever reason, and the owner will scrap it/sawzall it and puts portal tanks in its place. That is a BIG problem. You can't have a portable tank with a vent on the top in the same compartment as a battery. That's just one tiny spark away from blowing you to the moon!

 

[richg99]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

Thanks, guys. You've explained it well. The fuel filler, which is separated from the tank itself, probably also has the vent opening.

Since the boat was purchased on Friday, (and I couldn't work on it over the weekend due to making ready my other boat to be sold)...AND...I delivered it to my mechanic, for a once over, early on Monday....I haven't spent any quality time with her.

When I get her back this week, I'll verify the "vent at filler" situation. I knew that there had to be some simple explanation.

Ahh...you've got to love boats...Thye wake us up in the middle of the night with issues to be solved. No wonder one of my boats was called "The Other Woman". I think this one will be called " Mistress" . My wife doesn't mind. She's been Verrrry supportive over 50 years of owning many of these wondrous objects.

regards, Rich,

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Blower/venting the fuel area.

The vent is usually located right next to the fill cap. Caps are usually not vented.
Listen for it when you fill up!! A gurgling noise means stop filling it!
(Been there done that!)

They can also plug up...bugs get in there and make nests.

I mentioned the 'right thing' because some boats are 'home built' that's what you have to watch out for.

FYI worry-worts are safe people!!
Better to ask how than ask why me!