Not classic, (1995) but need help: Osprey 195 DC

[TeaBag]

Sorry to bore with this repeat of a cry for help made first well over a year ago about a fuel leak from my 1995 Aquasport Osprey 195 DC.

The morning before Hurricane Katrina (then 'only' Cat 1) hit Florida,  I found fuel in the water around my boat,  pumped out by the bilge pump after heavy overnight rain had collected in the bilge & activated the pump.  

There was some fuel in the remaining bilge water,  but luckily I was able to haul the boat out of the water immediately & collect & safely dispose of the remaining fuel-contaminated bilge water.  I say luckily because only a total of 12 gallons (fuel+water) was involved.  Had I done as planned, the previous evening I would have fully fuelled the boat,  resulting in a 50+ gallon fuel spillage.

I presume the leak is either from the fuel tank or a connection, but have no idea how to locate it, let alone repair it.

Regrettably I had to leave the boat in Florida in October 2005 and since then I have neither been back to the boat nor got any further with effecting a repair.

I emailed Aquasport for assistance.  They confirmed there is no access to the under-deck fuel tank other than by sawing a hole in the deck, and suggested I have a 'pressure-check' done at a marina.  I'm not sure what the latter involves, & how it would help.

I'm posting again to enquire if anyone has any suggestion as to how I should proceed.  I was using the boat until I left Florida by means of a couple of external fuel tanks on deck, but that's hardly a permanent solution.

Most specifically, can I get detailed plans of the boat from anywhere?  The exact location of the fuel tank & associated pipework & connections would be helpful before I commence an inevitably somewhat destructive investigation.

I believe steved may have some plans, but my attempt to PM him does not work, & no email address is listed for him.

AL

[JimCt]

Al,

Not sure detailed plans exist for the exact location of the under-deck fuel line or tank.  However, it would be a bit surprising if your fuel tank has failed.  The gas you found in your bilge more than likely came from a cracked fuel line on the engine, a leak in the rubber line leading to the engine or a leak in the primer squeeze-bulb.  If it was my boat I'd replace everything that carries gas to the engine and see if that does it before I started eyeing the tank.

Let me ask a dumb question:  did you smell any raw gas when you were last on the boat?  If not, maybe that petroleum film you saw on the bilge water was oil, not gas.  Just a thought.

Just because you have a headache, don't assume it's a brain tumor.

[TeaBag]

Hi Jim, thanks for your reply, love your optimism, but am afraid it may be the tumor!

We checked what could be seen of the connections & fuel line, which was not much,  and everything we could see looked good.

The boat doesn't have a cabin, and even in the Florida wind we could smell gasoline.

It's a real dilemma: the boat is usable & still a lot of fun with a couple of 6 gallon temporary tanks on deck,  a cheap but inelegant solution.  But it means I have to stick with the boat, when I was thinking of trading up.  I made enquiries about selling it "as is"  and didn't get even an insulting offer!

[LilRichard]

Where is the boat now?

[TeaBag]

Where is the boat now?

Key Largo

[warthog5]

To cut the deck your going to need to do some exploring with a holesaw.

What I'm talking about is to cut a hatch for the fuel tank only.

Several holes to find the edge of the stringer's and step back slightly so you have a shelf for the new hatch that you will need to build so it doesn't fall thru.

Cut it with a generous radius in the corner's. This can be done with a holesaw. Then snap chalk line's between the hole's and cut it with a cicular saw set at a proper depth.

This is how I did mine.

You can see it a little in this pix. Pay no attention to that smaller hole cut in front of it. That's to install a water tank.

[JimCt]

Surprising if an eleven year-old tank is leaking.

[John Jones]

Not if it's been soaking in saltwater.

[JimCt]

TeaBag, does the boat live in the water or do you keep it on a trailer?

[TeaBag]

TeaBag, does the boat live in the water or do you keep it on a trailer?

Only bought the boat May 2005, so don't know much about it before that,  other than to say it had been on its trailer for the previous 5 months, & it appeared well looked after, in very good clean original condition top & bottom.

From May to October 2005 it was in the water, during which it was lifted out 3 times (4 times if you count the last time) & the bottom cleaned.

Since October 2005 it's been on its trailer under cover.

[pete]

did you check they vent line by the fuel fill?I had one break and leak fuel into the bilge when I filled up

[pete]

did you check they vent line by the fuel fill?I had one break and leak fuel into the bilge when I filled up

[JimCt]

Not to beat this thing to death, but hoses are much more perishable than the tank.  If they are original it would be a miracle if they weren't leaking.  Hoses can leak even if they looks perfect.  One way to test is to wipe them clean and dust them with powder... baby powder if you can stand the smell... and look for any wet spots.

[RickK]

Ahh, the ole "roll 'em in flour.." routine.  Oh wait, that was something else  

[LilRichard]

Ahh, the ole "roll 'em in flour.." routine.  Oh wait, that was something else  

Jeeeeez.....
 :twisted: