I am pretty sure that the fuel hose will easily move out of the way. So that's not a big deal. To be fair though, there is always the possibility that a sender screw or two have issues and or the sender flange or tank flange are very corroded. Regardless, you need to drain off or burn off some gas if the tank is full.
If you want to install a new sender, you have a few options: A new style rod type ( often called a WEMA brand but now owned by KUS) or an older type with a swing arm. For the former, you need to know the length and that requires removing the sender and measuring the depth from the flange to the tank bottom. For a metal tank subtract 1/2 inch and get a new sender that is close to that measurement. There should be some room between the bottom of the tank and the tip of the sender. at least a half inch up to an inch is OK. Too little clearance can cause fuel flow restrictions. Of course, since you have to measure, then order the sender, there is a delay between the removal of the old sender and the new install.
Option 2 is to get a 'universal adjustable swing arm with float type of sender. They aren't as good as the rod types but that is probably what you have now and you can usually pick one up in a marine supply store.
Note also that a full gas tank is a lot less explosive than a mostly empty one so don't try to drain the whole tank. Just enough to preclude the overflow of gas.
Hint #2; Although the screws on the sender flange appear to be evenly spaced, they aren't so when reinstalling, make sure the new gasket ( a must) and the sender flange line up with the holes on the tank flange. Don't over tighten the screws.
