What type fuel hose?

[guy48065]

I was watching some OB repair videos on YouTube recently and one guru mentioned using "military-spec" fuel line.

What is that? I was going to re-plumb my '71 with urethane from the local hardware store but I have to admit I would prefer black rubber hose for the vintage look IF it won't degrade with exposure to ethanol.

 

[silverbul]

go to your local auto parts store and get some good ol fashioned black fuel line by the foot.

 

[jimmbo]

go to your local auto parts store and get some good ol fashioned black fuel line by the foot.

Unlikely that is USCG approved, so forget that Idea.

 

[silverbul]

This is my understanding from what i have read regarding uscg approved fuel line, uscg approved fuel line is required in closed spaces, such as built in fuel tanks. once in open air. regular line is fine. Unless somebody else know for sure, my outboard has all new fuel line from autozone. motor to tank is a different story but this is jmo. do your own research.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You need to use appropriate low permission A1 / A2 fuel hose per IMO / USCG requirements

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/ABYC.1002.01.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiA2dSi-LWAAxUQmYQIHfIgBMgQFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1zOSJM_N_icTLiJwkJ-7Uc

 

[silverbul]

© 2011 American Boat & Yacht Council, Inc.
1
Subpart J - Fuel Systems
33 CFR 183.501 – 183.590
Revised July, 1999
IT’S THE LAW - USCG:
183.501 Applicability
(a) This subpart applies to all boats that have gasoline engines, except outboard engines
for electrical generation or mechanical power for propulsion. I do believe he's talking about an outboard.

 

[silverbul]

I'm not here to try to prove anybody wrong here but you deep pocket boaters don't mind to B O A T ( break out another thousand ) but us small timers enjoy the same, we just B O A T ( break out another ten ) and get on the water. lol

 

[silverbul]

Really does pay to have a jon boat. jmo

 

[roscoe]

© 2011 American Boat & Yacht Council, Inc.
1
Subpart J - Fuel Systems
33 CFR 183.501 – 183.590
Revised July, 1999
IT’S THE LAW - USCG:
183.501 Applicability
(a) This subpart applies to all boats that have gasoline engines, except outboard engines
for electrical generation or mechanical power for propulsion. I do believe he's talking about an outboard.

That’s old info. Look at the publish and copyright dates.

You need to look at the new regs.

 

[silverbul]

That’s old info. Look at the publish and copyright dates.

You need to look at the new regs.

Go ahead, i'l keep on keeping on, guess everybody needs to do their own research depending on their app. My local illinois department of natural resources says i'm good to go SSSSSOOOOOOOO see you on the water, maybe.

 

[silverbul]

Go ahead, i'l keep on keeping on, guess everybody needs to do their own research depending on their app. My local illinois department of natural resources says i'm good to go SSSSSOOOOOOOO see you on the water, maybe.

btw, i didn't post it.

 

[silverbul]

I was watching some OB repair videos on YouTube recently and one guru mentioned using "military-spec" fuel line.

What is that? I was going to re-plumb my '71 with urethane from the local hardware store but I have to admit I would prefer black rubber hose for the vintage look IF it won't degrade with exposure to ethanol.

Go to your local autoparts and be done with it, you'll be fine. Too much thinking will make your brain hurt, it does mine.

 

[silverbul]

or maybe,

 

[JustJason]

OP didn't post enough information about his boat to make the proper recommendation. Is the boat an inboard or an outboard? Is there any machinery in a common location as the fuel lines?

 

[silverbul]

14 foot outboard, pretty simple. my brain hurts. going away now to watch leave it to beaver.

 

[flyingscott]

Buy black fuel injection hose. The USCG rating is suspect at best, the garbage gray line out there is USCG approved.

 

[jimmbo]

I suspect a lot of posters here have never had to deal with an Insurance Company when a boat has a fire... If any part that needs USCG Cert, doesn't have it, kiss your claim goodbye

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would go with the USCG A1-15 which is rated for 15% ethanol. the old grey line was not rated for ethanol.

 

[guy48065]

Buy black fuel injection hose. The USCG rating is suspect at best, the garbage gray line out there is USCG approved.

Good point. Just because it passed a test and displays a USCG rating doesn't mean it's suitable for all applications.
The spec cited above is meant for permanent motor installations. The super-thick and stiff flame-retardant hose is completely inappropriate for the cramped space under the cowl of an outboard.

A little online research found there's a newer automotive spec "SAE R14" hose that's about the same diameter and flexibility as the common R7 low-pressure rubber hose, but it's "low permeation" like marine fuel hose--but without the double-thick walls that fights flame (for 2 seconds) that would earn it the USCG Type A rating. NAPA carries this under their "Barricade" trade name.

I also learned that "low permeation" means gas vapor in the hose won't seep out into the atmosphere, which keeps the greenies happy. An added benefit is the hose lasts longer because as the fuel vapor seeps through the hose it carries with it the oils and plasticizers that keep rubber hose soft and crack-free.

One answer I couldn't find is whether translucent urethane fuel tubing is superior or inferior to the black rubber type.

 

[flyingscott]

I would go with the USCG A1-15 which is rated for 15% ethanol. the old grey line was not rated for ethanol.

The old gray line was rated for ethanol.