Tip: dont overlook this.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I once mentioned a near collision with a piling when motoring my Mac, and attempting to arrange cockpit stuff, etc. So, now I do everything in the slip, especially when solo.

Im a "stickler" for making sure everything is in order, in hands reach, and safety checks done when taking the boat out. BUT ---

I was motoring out of my marina Sunday afternoon, and the engine stopped. I hit the starter, and nothing. The cockpit emergency anchor was thrown, but it didnt hold. (and in all this, I'm solo ) Winds were moderate, so the Mac moved slowly against a neighboring marina pier, and I tied up.

My first guess was right, it's a fuel issue.

Guess what ? The fuel line was pushed on firmly onto the engine, but it had not snap-locked. When initially connecting this in the slip, I always make sure it's firmly connected. But, this time I didnt make sure it snap-connected.

Anyway, maybe this tip can save someone some pain. Make sure the fuel line connection snap-locks onto the engine. I consider myself moderately experienced, and making such a mistake is probably possible with anyone. So, in summary, the above is an alert tip...It isnt fun having to tie up at a neighboring Marina pier doing trouble-shoot stuff.

Otherwise, a real nice afternoon on the water. I lost about 15 min. of fun time fixing what should've been done right the first time. And, considering the heavy boat traffic, it couldve been worse.

[Loala]

Been there.

Done that.

Good tip.

My locking ring has been getting stuck open as well. I have to physically force it forward and hear that loud audible "SNAP" to get it to lock on.

[MadMacX]

Louis,

I've had that happen to me too. What I figured out was, there was pressure in the fuel line and it would not let the check ball in the fitting release. Now, before I attempt to connect the fuel line to the motor, or the tank for that matter,I open the fuel tank vent and relieve the pressure in the tank. I've also had the fuel pickup in the tank fall off, but that's a whole different story. Thanks for the heads up!

Pat

[Wind Chime]

Yup, that happened to me as well.

I am making a "Review List" for the spring, and will add this to it.

To avoid this happening again, and just make life easier, I am thinking of installing a Y-valve to connect both fuel tanks, so I do not have to ever remove the fuel lines from the tanks to switch. At the same time I would like to install a fuel gauge on the pedestal.

Darry

[Québec 1]

Yup, that happened to me as well.

I am making a "Review List" for the spring, and will add this to it.

To avoid this happening again, and just make life easier, I am thinking of installing a Y-valve to connect both fuel tanks, so I do not have to ever remove the fuel lines from the tanks to switch. At the same time I would like to install a fuel gauge on the pedestal.

Darry

I will be doing the same thing during winter layup..For under fifty bucks it's worth not having the aggravation of ......
putting the the seat cushions in the cabin , unhooking the empty tank, finding a place to put it , lugging the full tank. setting it in its place.. ..all the while trying not to slam my fingers as the seat flops down, ,plugging the full tank in, ,,,putting the empty tank in its place ,,,closing the seat,,, putting the cushions back on whilst watching for rocks , boats and what not.

I sail for fun and pleasure

Don't think I need a fuel gauge cause I can tell just b y jiggling the tank a bit and being very conservative as to the amount off gas there is left.
Q1

[James V]

I took my boat out the first time in 7 months. Engin ran for 5 mins and then stoped. It would not run more than 1 min after until repair.

Took 2 days before I could get somebody to repair and teach me what to do.

This is how I started my cruise.

[Kelly Hanson East]

I once left dock and motored 1/2 mile down the Hudson before the motor quit. I had forgotten to attach the fuel tank to the motor at all. Motor ran a good 10 minutes just on fuel in the line and internal filter...

[NiceAft]

Quebec,

Does the 03 M have a different fuel storage area than the 05? I have a fuel storage area under each seat. A twelve gallon fuel tank fits under each. When one tank runs out, it's only a matter of snapping off the fuel fitting from one, and attaching it to the other.

I have forgotten to unscrew the vent cap a couple of times. Once the motor stopped. It was a quick moment before I realized what happened. It does not take much mechanical knowledge to figure it out when the fuel tank looks like a shriveled red prune

Ray

[Divecoz]

Ray: Some of us here have opted to carry a separate hose on each tank. Fewer yet but I included have opted to carry an additional hose and bulb out of the elements. If you have a fuel problem and it is in fact the fuel line and bulb. . . .changing over tanks alone will not solve the problem.
I also have chosen to carry one 12 gal and one 6 gallon fuel tank . There is enough room under the cockpit seat with the six gallon tank to allow room for a Square Plastic Milk Bottle type crate to fit as well. I can and do carry in there all kinds of things that come in handy. We sailed 13 times this summer and we used less than 6 gallons of fuel of my actual 15 on board. Leaves me with 9 gallons of fuel for my snow blower.....

[NiceAft]

Yes, I know that Dive. I should have been more clear in what I was inquiring about.

Quebec mentioned about removing the old tank, finding a place to put it, and then lugging out the new tank. Maybe I am totally misunderstanding what he posted, but it sounded like the second tank was somewhere in the boat other than under the seat. I was wondering why Again, maybe I just misunderstood

Ray

[Québec 1]

Yes, I know that Dive. I should have been more clear in what I was inquiring about.

Quebec mentioned about removing the old tank, finding a place to put it, and then lugging out the new tank. Maybe I am totally misunderstanding what he posted, but it sounded like the second tank was somewhere in the boat other than under the seat. I was wondering why Again, maybe I just misunderstood

Ray

It's under the seat ...but the fuel line does not reach the second tank. It comes in through a hole drilled into the bulkhead of the starboard side seat as you can see in the picture. As you can see it was quite the hassle to change tanks and a great mod opportunity for the winter.


Q1

[Terry]

Well, my '03 M certainly doesn't have a fuel hose hole drilled in it, thank goodness. My hose just comes up from the engine well into the cockpit and I can attach it to the tank on either side. I am not sure I like that hole there in case an unwanted liquid were to find it's way through.

[Québec 1]

When I do the dual gas line mod I will seal the hole and just have the fuel lines come up directly from the engine well.
Q1

p.s. Not having seen any other 26M besides mine I thought this was standard

[Wind Chime]

Hi Q1,

I agree with Terry, and am glad we do not have fuel line holes in our fuel lockers. As much as I do not like the fuel line under-foot in the cockpit, I am leery of the hole in the fuel locker as for fume leak, etc.

I want to install a fuel gauge, but I am still not sure how to run the wires to the pedestal without drilling a hole in the locker

I saw a mod on here once of someone who installed a fuel tank below in the aft berth. Very convenient .. but for me a little worrisome although this is standard on most powerboats but they do have air-blowers.

[kmclemore]

I saw a mod on here once of someone who installed a fuel tank in the aft berth. Very convenient .. but for me a little worrisome.

I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I blow my boat up. Meanwhile, my tank vents will continue to work nicely, and I'll keep on using my fuel lockers as very helpful cockpit storage spaces.

Sincerely,
Living Dangerously



(BTW, I don't believe "Windarra" ever blew up, either, and she has the identical tank setup as I do, although mine has more ventilation.)