Fuel fill and vent lines

Fuel fill and vent lines

According to Peerless, proper fuel fill and vent lines are essential for the safe and efficient operation of a boat's fuel system. Ensuring that these components are correctly installed and maintained helps prevent issues such as fuel leaks and system malfunctions.

TimC2520 said:

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I have the exact same boat and year. I did this job several years ago and it is a major PITA. Be ready for bleeding fingers and knuckles. I forget what size and length hoses you need. The problem isn't just access on the tank side (my pie plate isn't directly over top the tank fittings), but also on the fill side because of that molded fiberglass chase that runs up the inside of the hull toward the fill. I tried taking the fuel fill off, but the hole isn't big enough for the hose to fit through the gunwale so scratch that idea. That would have made the job a lot easier. Also, both the fuel and vent hoses are taped together below deck so you either have to pull them out together, or try to break them free from one another. I tried connecting the new hose to the old hose and pulling it through but that didn't work for me, there just isn't enough room to pull it through that tiny opening where you can see the hose connected to the fill neck.

Tim's right - it's a knuckle buster. On my 2002, the vent line was not taped thankfully. I used a lot of Dawn dish soap and was able to pull the old fill hose out after disconnecting from the fuel fill and I also pulled a piece of thin rope through at the same time to use as a pull line for new. I then pulled the rope through the new hose connected it to a wooden "stop" as shown below which is 2" in diameter. Soaped up the new hose and was able to get it through. Strongly suggest you remove the entire pry-out plate (including the flange) so you have more room to work where it connects to the tank. The fill is 1 1/2" ID hose. You will need ~6 1/2 ft. of hose.

Choosing The Correct Boat Hose

There is no such thing as an all-purpose hose on a boat. No single hose type can withstand engine exhaust, bring freshwater to the galley, safely transport gasoline to the carburetor, drain the cockpit, and flush the head. Using the wrong hose can cause problems that range from an inconvenient mess to a burning boat. This handy run-down will help you identify one type of hose from another and assist in choosing the right hose for the job at hand. We'll start with a visual guide to common marine hoses, then go into more detail about each type. (See photo above).

1. Exhaust hose.

Able to withstand temperatures to around 250 F, an exhaust hose is often reinforced with wire, which may be stainless, or other special reinforcement. Other, more expensive silicone hoses are capable of sustaining much higher temperatures.

2. Hot and cold PEX potable water pipe.

Many modern boats use PEX tubing for hot and cold plumbing. PEX is available in three distinct grades: A, B, and C. Although all are perfectly acceptable for potable water, Grade A is the most flexible and easiest to run in the tight confines of a boat. Fittings are easy to connect to the pipe, although you may need special tools. PEX is not the only option for potable water, however (see 6).

3. Sanitation hose.

Often white, with a smooth bore to prevent trapping waste that could lead to odors, sanitation hose has an expected lifespan of approximately 10 years.

For more information, please visit MIC. Suggested reading: Best Garden Hoses: Guide & Recommendations

4. Corrugated bilge pump hose.

This cheap hose is often supplied with bilge pumps. While easy to run, cut, and bend, its ridged internal structure restricts flow, making it a poor choice.

5. Smooth-bore bilge pump hose.

Although four times the price of corrugated types, smooth-bore bilge pump hose offers up to 30 percent greater efficiency.

6. Potable water hose.

Potable water hose comes in both reinforced and non-reinforced types. They're easy to tell apart as the reinforced hose will have strong synthetic cord strands visible. This one is clear but opaque is generally a better choice for potable water because there is less chance of algae growing inside.

7. Fuel hose.

Fuel hose must be marked as such and will be stamped A1, A2, B1, or B2. Older hoses are incompatible with fuel containing ethanol, so if yours is older than about 10 years, it's most likely due for replacement anyway.

8. Thru-hull hose.

For any connections to thru-hulls, reinforced hose is the only way to go. A cheap hose may fail and sink your boat.

Fuel Hose

Properties: Chemical resistance and low permeability

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