My new to me Classic

[captdave]

She's a 1977 that was redone earlier this year, not to the highest standards but good enough to work out of. I'm working on a couple things trying to get her balanced out and need to find someone to redo the bottom, I want it sanded painted and gelcoated. As far as I can tell there is no gelcoat just bottom paint and have some issues with one of the rakes that run down in front on the port side. Anyhow here are some pics enjoy I certainly am.

Dave

[LilRichard]

Nice looking rig!  What about her is not up to your standards?

Who did the rebuild?

[captdave]

The tower is a little far back making her a little stern heavy. I'm not sure about the bottom as stated above, it has some cracking issues in the rakes coming down the bottom.  Not sure if its structural or cosmetic we'll see. one other problem I cant seem to find is the smell of fuel when getting on plane. There was some leakage around the sender but I completely sealed that and the smell still persists. ive checked the bilge for fuel but cant smell any in there. ????

[RickK]

Nice looking boat  
You left out the size - 222?

[JimCt]

Smell of raw gas is about the most dire warning possible of trouble.  Problem with gas is its fumes are heavier than air.  If they get into the bilge, which is a possibility, you have a fuel-air bomb on your trailer.  It may be that when you are getting up on plane, wind eddies around the cockpit stir up the fumes  just right so you can smell it.

Check all fuel lines, the primer bulb, the filter & fittings, the fill hose leading to the tank, vent hose, fuel lines under the engine cowl and everything else having anything remotely to do with the fuel system.  Open the bilge access area and sniff down there.  If you smell gas there you may have a leaking tank.  Ask whoever restored the boat if the tank was replaced or if it was pulled and just visually inspected.  If it wasn't pulled and if it's the original tank, the tank may be leaking.

Find the problem and we'll all rest easier...

[CThomps]

Dorado's really do look like old Aquasports.  Who'd a thunk it.

[John Jones]

I got to see it in person  
Capt. Dave is my neighbor.  I would offer to help troubleshoot the gas smell but after two weeks in L.A., now I'm in Plymouth, MA, next week in GA, then back to L.A. for a week.  

It doesn't take much to make the smell but it doesn't take much to make an explosive mixture either...

[LilRichard]

I think the other reason your boat may be sitting stern heavy is because of the bracket... those porta-brackets are great, but have the added negative affect of moving the center of gravity aft.  I will put one on my rig too- but I wish there was a way around the weight issue.

[scott_gunn]

Trim tabs will help with the stern weight at least while you're on plane.

[John Jones]

Trim tabs will help with the stern weight at least while you're on plane.

I get a couple of more miles per hour and a couple of GPH less fuel burn when I put the tabs down a little.  That helps the ride too.

[Bluesbrother]

Great boat, I would see if you have any foam inside that is drenched in a fuel/water mixture, possible remains of a leak in the past...