Leaking Fuel Filler Hose on 249 Fisherman

[blynn]

Hello,

I am new to the forum, though I have owned a couple of Gradys. My current one is a 1987 24' center console called a 249 Fisherman.

My fuel filler line is rotting right where it attaches to the deck fitting so fuel leaks into the boat as I fill the tank. The filler is forward on the starboard side (exposed, thank goodness) and is attached to the tank right under where the helmsman would stand. The alternatives I am considering include:

1. Trying to pull the old line out - preferably with a new one attached to it or some sort of messenger. Any thoughts about how to connect them or what to use as a messenger?

2. Cutting the rotted end of the hose off and installing an angled deck fill in the vertical bulkhead on the aft end of the starboard lazarette.

3. Running a new hose up inside the center console and installing a deck fill somewhere on the console - either on a horizontal surface or an angled fill on the side.

Options 2 and 3 are obviously alternatives to pulling out the console to get the whole floor up, and I'm sure there are reasons the Coast Guard would not be happy with them. Apologies for the lengthy post. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[seasick]

There is no sense in cutting and splicing. You can bet that the rest of the hose is on it's last legs. As long as you can get to both ends, the best bet is to pull a mesenger or splice the new to the old and pull. You should also replace the vent line while you are at it.

 

[Grog]

It's new hose time. Granted the hose under the deck might be in better shape, it's not worth blowing yourself up. Do the supply, vent, and fill lines and while your at it, check the tank for rot.

 

[blynn]

Trying to avoid dealing with lifting the console, so I'm hoping the tank can wait another year or so (tho I am sure it will need fixing/replacing at some point given the age of the boat).

Has anyone ever fished a new hose through without pulling the boat apart? If so, what's the best way to connect the new hose to the old hose?

 

[BobP]

I think another menmber cut a short lenght of PVC pipe and inserted into the end of old and new hose, to make a splice, and added a few screws to keep it together, so you can fish thru the new hose.

If that's what you were thinking.

Always room for new member (ideas) ! Welcome.

 

[blynn]

Thanks BobP,

That's exactly what I had in mind.

 

[BobP]

Fine.

the member may have used pop rivets instead of screws, just don't recall.

Grady used nylon wire tys to hold hoses in place below decks during original construction if you encounter any resistance, suggest you yank hard - the white nylon should be brittle enough by now !

 

[fisherman24]

Main Fuel tank Hoses

what you are trying to do will likely end in much frustration, that hose has quite a few hard bends, passes through floation foam and tight holes in the stringers, enters into the foward storage cabnet and then into the rear stb gunnel cap, lots of luck !

i own an 87 249 as well, pulled both tanks/inspected/cleaned and reinstalled, all new hoses/clamps/sending units and wiring.

it aint worth the risk of explosion/fire to patch a fuel system.

 

[gradyfish22]

Put pvc inside the hose that has a similar outer diameter to that of the inside diameter of the hose your pulling. Put 2 clamps on each end to secure it to the pipe so they do not come apart and pull, likely you will need 2 guys, one to push and feed and one to pull to make it easier. There is a chance the hoses might be also screwed into the deck, some older models had this making them a huge pain to remove, either force them out or remove the deck, not sure what will be needed until you start really. There is no safe way to replace just a segment, especially on hose that old, the only real solution is to replace the whole hose. I agree 100% the vent line needs replacement too, it might not leak when you see it, but it will and when it does it could be bad.

 

[BobP]

The clamps may get hung up on a bulkhead, the splice outer surface needs to be smooth like it doesn't exist. Aonther member posted photos, either here or at THT some time ago, just don't recall, showing the splice joint.

It's worth a try for the DIYer, doesn't cost anything more but some time, still have to buy the hose.

I think the advise in this thread was to replace the entire length with new, the "splice" (new to old) was only for pulling from one end all the way out the other end.

Get the hose an extra few feet, just in case.

The new hoses (both fill an vent) should always be single piece when done.

If the old hose doesn't budge, at least you tried. Grady may not have built each boat the same.

Another tip, the stainless hose clamps I found at the depot, in bags of 10, at a huge discount, were identical, I say identical, to the ones in the you-know-what-marine-store.

the depot doesn't have all the sizes, but you can shorten them readily, I use a dremel cut off wheel to cut the band, then round the edges, looks original.

I use double clamps on all hose fittings.