Suntracker fuel tank design/placement Problem??

[SoCalAngler]

Hello all-

For those that have a Suntracker (or other manufacturers) later model design (mine is 2010/11) with the fuel tank located in the engine pod between the pontoons.......

The fuel tank is basically under constant water when running. The vent hose, fuel sending unit and wire connection, and fuel pick up..... are under water!! I believe the only time they are NOT under water is when at idle!

Is this a bad design or ??????

Not too comfortable with all these items under water. Definite, HIGH potential for water into fuel tank.

Thoughts?

[brumbyvet]

Are you sure your boat is not setting too low in the water? I have a 2009 21' party barge and the top of the tank does get wet but it is never under water. My gas cap doesn't have a vented cap, it is vented by hose up to side wall of fencing. The only way water could get into tank is if the fuel sending unit started leaking. Personally I like the tank location. My last pontoon had a 30 gal. tank at the rear port side corner and the boat always listed to that side.

[oldsporty1]

I have an 2010 and the placement is in the same place,never had any trouble and I don't believe that the tank is ever under water,you might check to see if boat is setting to low.

[SoCalAngler]

let me be a little more specific....

water line is about 1/2 way up pontoons in rear and a little less at bow. The engine pod/fuel tank pod, as designed, has the bottom of the fuel tank below water line (about 1/4 up the tank is under water (at idle). So nothing on top of tank is under water at idle.

When motoring, water is streaming forward from where engine bolts to transom to top of fule tank. It is rushing a pretty good blanket of water and pushing straight forward on top of tank. This is what I mean by everything is under water. When this streaming blanket of water is gushing forward, the vent hose, fuel pick up, and tank sending unit are under water. The fuel tank cap is not under this blanket of water; the water is about 2-3 inches above top of tan. The water gushing forward will only stop when reducing speed to almost idle.

I have attached pics to rule out if my boat is sitting to low and indicated where water is gushing forward.

1. In one of the pics, the blue tape indicates water line at TOP of tape.

2. In another pic I added blue drawing lines to indicate where I believe the water is coming from....it is being pushed up from bottom, as boat is running, hits transom plate and is pushed forward ( This is what I think)?

I, too, like the idea of the fuel tank weight down low.

Thoughts????

Thanks!

[Drmanko]

I have a 2012 20 footer, and under full power I have at least a 1/2" sheet of water running over the top of the tank. I've had a water leak into the tank from the day I bought it.

End of the season I'm going to have to pull the tank out and reseal all the fittings. For the time being a 12 gallon tank on the back deck has saved the season.

[badmoonrising]

After 2011, the tanks are pressurized on Suntracker and most other brands. My dealer said something about EPA regs making it mandatory.

[SoCalAngler]

Not quite sure I understand pressurized in this context. If pressurized, what about the vent hose connection at tank, the fuel line connection, etc? All of these hoses and fittings can allow air/water into fuel tank if a sheet of water is running over them for several hours during the course of a day's outing.

Does my boat appear to have a correct water line?

[BoatCop]

Mine floats about the same when static. I haven't noticed water running over the tank, or even being real deep into the water. I haven't noticed any water in the fuel and my service guy hasn't said anything about it.

I think it may be loading of passengers when underway. More weight toward the rear would cause the stern to squat lower and maybe submerge the tank. If your 2010 is like my 2012 with the rear-half bimini, those of fairer complexion may tend to hang out in the back to stay in the shade.

Today I had most of the folks (5 of 7) up in the bow sofas all day and the boat was actually trimming bow down, sometimes causing the prop to ventilate going through wakes. I think about 870 lbs up front and 320 (including me) toward the back. I found out that these things are really sensitive to weight distribution.

[evinrude2stroke]

After 2011, the tanks are pressurized on Suntracker and most other brands. My dealer said something about EPA regs making it mandatory.

I believe all new fuel tanks have to hold up to 5psi of pressure before venting.

I wouldn't be too concerned. as long as everything is tight nothing leaks in or leaks out. My buddy has the same boat as yours and he hasn't had any issues. I wish they mounted my tank in there. seems like a waste of space in my boat.

[maddad]

Not quite sure I understand pressurized in this context. If pressurized, what about the vent hose connection at tank, the fuel line connection, etc? All of these hoses and fittings can allow air/water into fuel tank if a sheet of water is running over them for several hours during the course of a day's outing.

Does my boat appear to have a correct water line?

I'd say you've got a normal water line, both front and back, assuming you've got at least 1/2 tank of fuel in it. You might Google images of manufacturer's sales photos/brochures, taking note of where their logs have the water lines. Most are probably taken with 2 gallons of gas in them though
You just don't want the logs getting more that 3/4+ submerged. I've got the rear left tank and it's approaching 3/4 and also don't like how it lists, especially with the majority of seating on the same side, so, I'm in process on getting quotes on a center log to help with the lift. I also have taken water over the bow when 4 people are sitting in the short bench seats up front, which the full center log should help give some additional lift there too.

[SoCalAngler]

I'm wondering if outboard trim has anything to do with the water rushing forward. I was fooling with the trim some when I noticed the water.

I would think the trimming bow down would reduce water being pushed up (as stern is being moved up) and trimming bow up would drive the stern down perhaps pushing water up the back of the transom motor plate and over tank.

I'll have to check this the next time out. I'm going to give Tracker a call tomorrow and see if I can get any technical assistance over the phone.

Thoughts?

[willy13]

That tank location would make me nervous as a lot of water splashes around there, especially once you hit 18 mph. Though I do see how it would free up living space. Keep an eye on the sending unit gasket as the boat gets older. I replaced the gasket on my 20 yr old boat and it was pretty cracked, but no signs of leaking yet.

[SoCalAngler]

update......

called Tracker Marine and their response was.....

this was normal (the water running over the fuel tank) and not to be worried. As long as hose clamps are tight, hoses are maintained, and sender gasket was maintanined, all should be fine. There is no recall or design changes.

I asked a Merc mechanic today and he said if I wanted to check to see if water is entering fuel tank I could purchase some type of product, that when placed on a screwdriver and dipped into fuel tank, it would turn a certain color if water was in fuel. Any of you heard of this product and have experience with it? Name of product? I'd like some peace of mind and check my fuel condition.

Thanks

[BoatCop]

There are several makers of water sensing paste out there. Gasoila is just one brand. Available at Staples, of all places.

You don't just put it on a screwdriver and stick it in the gas. Water is heavier than gas and settles at the bottom of the tank. You coat it on the end (bottom 2 inches or so) of a clean wood dowel or other stick, long enough to reach the bottom of the tank. Make sure the tank is level, or the boat is tilted back slightly so any water will settle below the fuel fill.

Stick the dowel in the tank for a few seconds. DO NOT STIR or agitate the fuel. Then pull the stick straight up and out. The paste will change colors if in contact with water.

A trace of water or color change on the bottom 1/8 inch or less isn't a real worry and could reflect condensation. That slight amount of water is below the pick-up and/or will bind with the ethanol in the fuel and be burned off or get caught in the fuel filter/separator.

It's when you've got a whole bunch of water that the tank needs to be drained and dried.



http://www.staples.com/Gasoila-Chemical ... uct_703612

[SoCalAngler]

Thanks BC--

A few questions....

1. How would I know the water is at 1/8" or below based on test?
2. How would I know how much water is actually in tank if there is a color change?
3. I don't believe my OEM engine fuel filters filter water; only sediment. How would they filter water?
4. Aren;t fuel pick ups near bottom (1" or so)? If this close to bottom wouldn't it pick up water if in fact water was in tank, even at 1/8"? I would think that fuel sloshing around while moving would be picked up no matter where in the tank it would be at any given moment.
Thoughts?

Thanks

BTW....BC, it looks like your toon has the same fuel tank set up as mine. Does yours do the same? Any concern? Perhaps I am overly concerned.