Hi.

Thought I'd start with an easy one (hopefully). The fuel vent hose (looks like common garden hose to me) runs from the fuel tank up to underneath sidedeck next to cockpit where it 'exits' on port side through some sort of metal tube just over gunwhale. It has a loop of about 1 foot diametre prior to exit point, which I assume is to stop seawater entering the tank in case of healing whilst under sail.

Thing is, this metal tube looks to have been painted over - there is no exit as far as I can tell. See pics below.

I assume this is an error. I suppose it's possible that it has a removable cover that someone has painted over. How should this be set up?

I see there is legislation for new builds (newboatbuilders.com/pages/fuel.html) but I just want this basic setup to work.

Thx,

Rog

Ha ha - right you are, didn't notice where in the world I was.

Thanks for advice.

You need only a very thin tube to equalise pressure in the tank as the engine suck fuel out, but I've heard a shipwright's opinion that you need a fairly substantial air vent diameter to cater for filling a tank from a bowser. He suggested at minimum 3/4inch inside diameter tubing, and preferably larger that than.

However, I'm not sure whether I'm convinced; I've been getting by with a 9mm vent hose.

I'm thinking that if you pour in fuel at a higher rate than air can escape, it will simply cause sputtering and spillage at the filler entry point.

DrRog said...
Someone had just painted over the standard stainless rounded end vent including the downward and slightly aft facing hole.

Thanks.

As I thought may have been the case. Easy fix at no cost, that's nearly gotta be a first on a boat.