Replacing the Fuel Line

[Rumdirty]

Fuel line is 11 years old. Figured with all this ethanol stuff going around ruining and melting things that I should replace my line this year. Any (cheaper) recommendations than the OEM line? Figured I better replace the bulb, line, and possibly the connectors. Honda 50 if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

[NiceAft]

They are sold as complete kits. Don't be cheap on something important. They don't cost very much.

On an aside, how has your sailing been at the Jersey Shore

Ray

[Catigale]

It is ok to use your spare for new, and keep your old as spare for weekend boating.

I even do this on the Cape, which I consider to be coastal cruising more than weekend since you can get into real trouble there.

[dreamer]

I agree with Niceaft ...very important component...buy quality. I discovered last year that the bulb had cracked and was leaking gas. In hindsight I couldn't believe that after 7 years I didn't change it out earlier. I discovered the leak during a day sail, if it happened while out for a few days that would have caused an issue because I didn't have a spare. I ended up getting an OEM bulb and OEM line that the dealer had and he cut it to the length I wanted. I think it was a little cheaper that way. Now I also have an aftermarket spare just in case.

[yukonbob]

I keep a spare fuel line on board (OEM for Suz and was not cheap, I paid $130 but I imagine in the south that'll be around $60-$80?). As for the internal lines they get checked every fall. Make sure they're not too hard and not to soft, look for cracks especially at clamps and make sure the clamps are doing their job and not sliding back or over tightened. Even pull them off their terminals and check the ends for cracking. Replace at first sign.

[NiceAft]

Honda
http://search.defender.com/search.aspx? ... 035O+Honda

[Rumdirty]

Thanks for the link to Defender. Quite a bit cheaper than the other place I checked. I didn't even think to keep the old one as a spare. I just figured as old as it was that it was best left for trash.

Jersey shore is not exactly the best place to sail, but it suits the Mac well. I probably would have been better off getting an X instead of an M just for the centerboard. I snapped mine last year. I keep a close eye on tides and enjoy the entirety of the bay when going down wind (pull up my centerboard). Returning upwind I stay in channels. Helps make me a bit better handling the boat while staying inside fairly narrow channels.

Displaced sand/mud is still a huge problem post Sandy. Charts are still being updated I imagine. I've bounced around the bottom more than once while being in a channel according to gps.

Power boaters are still big as you go further North. I'm happy being around Manahawkin Bay. Great Bay fills up with lots of boats as well.

Thanks everyone for the link and info. This forum was a huge reason why i bought my Mac last year.

On a side note, I'll be reinforcing my bunks, installing the depth finder (installed gps and solar last year), and installing new LED trailer lights before I splash next month. Most mods I've found easily here on the board so thanks again

[Catigale]

It's okay to inspect line at the ends, cut off the attached ends by a cm and continue in service if they aren't cracked or hard. Do a thorough inspection with the line out of the boat.

I removed all of the bayonet type connections and went to simple barb fittings to remove failure mechanisms. It also makes it easier for me to remove gas for the kicker tender motor via siphon.

[Seapup]

I went through a Honda OEM (original 2005 & was cracked/ hardened when I bought the boat in 2010) Attwood universal (terrible, 1 year & hardened) quicksilver, liner separated from hose & an OEM Suzuki which was nicest.

You can purchase the parts separately and make your own with quality parts & filter for less than an OEM hose (what I did on another boat).

A1-15 marine hose is designed for fuel above and below deck and is supposedly held to higher standards and testing than the B1 hose that is about half the price and used on the above deck outboard kits. It seems like it should last longer, time will tell. It is certainly more robust.

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... &id=106416

[Russ]

I realized the weakest link in my motor is the fuel line. Cheap insurance to have a spare on board.

--Russ

[yukonbob]

I realized the weakest link in my motor is the fuel line. Cheap insurance to have a spare on board.

--Russ

Especially when you end up standing and walking on it all the time.

[RGF]

Castigate- I will try to pay you back for the Honda generator exhausting into the water idea- I changed the connector on the motor to the same connector as a connector that I added to a spare gas cap to my 2000i so if needed I can feed the 2000 from my standard fuel tank. But you probably already did this......

[Catigale]

Castigate- I will try to pay you back for the Honda generator exhausting into the water idea- I changed the connector on the motor to the same connector as a connector that I added to a spare gas cap to my 2000i so if needed I can feed the 2000 from my standard fuel tank. But you probably already did this......

Nice - but we don't travel with our generator on our week trips, certainly. We don't need that much juice.