Probably a dumb question....if you leave the fuel tank vent open during a rainy day can enough water get in the tank to cause problems?? Should you always close the vent after use?
Well that really depends on how your vent is built and where the boat is sitting. If the water is coming from a section of the roof off your house and pouring directly into the vent section, then absolutely you have an issue. But if it is a mere typical rain, I can't see much water entering to cause any serious issue. I use to have rain gauge and a really hard long lasting rain would yield maybe 3 to 4 inches inside the roughly 1" tube. So figure that 1" column of rain water mixing with the gallons in the tank and I don't see much problem... JMHO
Are you talking about a tank that is directly exposed to the elements or tucked away out of direct contact?
The one I have that is protected has never had the vent closed.
The fuel tank is totally exposed in an open Lund skiff and in Alaska it can pour all day long sometimes. What about condensation in the tank when the vent is open
I doubt much rain would get into a typical tank vent, but it makes sense to close it. Condensation would be based upon how much air circulates thru the tank. In your case, it would be a small amount, due to the size of the tank and the size of the vent. The temperature change would cause whatever air circulation you would have.
If I read what you're saying right, the tank is getting drenched in the open. Since a vent works by drawing air to make up for using the fuel, along with the air venting, rain water is also being sucked in. That's where the water is getting into the tank. I only see two things that can help. 1] A fuel filter/water separator to keep water out of the motor. 2] Some kind of cover for the tank to keep water off. I think both are in order.
