Gas fumes in cuddy

M

missphytt

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
4
I have a one year old Sailfish and last week I noticed the smell of gas in the cuddy and bilge. I had topped off the tank the previous week but not to the point that it flowed out the vent. I have checked all the hoses and they seem fine as well as the water separator. I see no sign of fuel in the bilge, and the vent does not seem to be clogged. <br /><br />Any suggestions on what to check next before taking it back to the dealer?
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: Gas fumes in cuddy

Welcome aboard missphytt (cool screename),<br />Have you run the bilge blower for 15 minuets and then noticed if they still linger?
 
S

swist

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
678
Re: Gas fumes in cuddy

You don't have a polyethylene fuel tank do you? They have been known to transmit the odor of gas through their walls.
 
M

missphytt

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
4
Re: Gas fumes in cuddy

There is no blower for the bilge. It's got an outboard engine and the tank is aluminum or stainless. No corroded fittings.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,984
Re: Gas fumes in cuddy

When you topped off the tank was it possible for the wind to blow fumes into the boat that eventually wound up in the bilge? That has happened to me numerous times to the point where when I refuel, I insure that the vent is downwind.<br /><br />I know fuel fumes are annoying, but you need like 12-13% fuel air mix for combustion in an engine so I'd assume you would need a heavy concentration to be a safety hazard. <br /><br />A bilge blower, however, is the best bet for an enclosed fuel tank with inlet, and outlet vents (over the side) and the inlet hose at the lowest point in the enclosed space..Coast Guard should have data to help you with it.<br /><br />Mark
 
M

missphytt

Recruit
Joined
May 30, 2005
Messages
4
Re: Gas fumes in cuddy

Thanks Mark. I spoke with the dealer and manufacturer. The service folks at the dealer suggested checking all the places I had already looked and were baffled as to what to check next. They asked if I might have spilled any gas and cleaned it up and inadvertently put the rag in the cuddy. Wa-la! I do remember spilling some, but not putting the rag in the cuddy. When I get down this weekend I will clean the cuddy bare and scrub it down. Just hope it was something as stupid as that.<br /><br />The two most abundant things on earth are nitrogen and stupidity.
 
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