Gassing Up...

[AbunDiga909]

Maybe its just my fam's boat, maybe its a 216 thing, maybe its a Nautique thing, but whenever we fill it up, gas ALWAYS overflows. It sucks... When we gas up on land, we usually gas up the car at the same time. (very expensive) Since the gas cap on the car is on the left, we gas up the boat on the port side also. But, the gas overflow is on the starboard side. We get hit double now--the pump stopps, we wait a sec, and about a pint of gas starts splashing back up and out of the boat, usually getting a little on my hand and a lot on the ground. After we clean up the gelcoat, we find its just as bad over on the starboard side as well. I've actually started to see a little faded blue on the areas where the gas has been--even though its never sitting on the hull for more than a minute or two while we clean it.

Is this a design flaw? It doesn't happen on my friends MC or my uncle's '82 2001. At $4+ a gallon on the lake I don't want ANY of it being donated to the environment. I'd rather see this fixed in '07 than a new graphic design or marketing scheme...

[NautiqueJeff]

Gassing Up...

There's a thing you can buy that mounts in the fuel fill hose that prevents this. Some people have had good luck using it. I can't remember what it is called though.

I always make it a point to fill the boat on the side with the vent. That way you can hear when the tank is almost full, and you can stop pumping before it overflows. I HATE spilling gas on my black hull.

[surroundsound64]

RE: Gassing Up...

I keep a close eye on it as I'm filling, stopping every few seconds when I think it's getting close. I look down to see how full it is. If anything it comes out the vent but it will overflow everywhere if I let it.

[imported_pjdave]

RE: Gassing Up...

Same problem, one would think the vent is not coping. It surges out and spills over the person filling and the gel coat. This has happened on all the sans we have had with duel fill points.

One thing though, its better than the malibu response i also use, the gas nosel has to be held upside down so the tank can be filled without it stopping every few litres.

[jvuotto]

RE: Gassing Up...

Always been an issue with boating since the Coast Guard got involved, rules don’t always follow function. The old Mustang used to beltch fuel also. The problem is even more prevalent in our 211, but the 211 will take fuel at full pressure where the Mustang could only fuel on the first setting (really slow).
To answer your question, here is the link for the device I believe Jeff is referring. http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LG-50

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes, that's it. Thanks for posting the link.

[Jesse1]

Every Nautique I've had from '84 to 2000 has had the same problem. Just have to go slow when filling.

[BigBald]

I turn the ignition on so that I can watch the fuel gauge get close to full. I also wad up a bunch of the window washing towels and wedge them under the nozzel of the pump. And I use the lowest setting possible....and finally I listen real carefully. But ultimately, I end up having to clean up a bit of overflow. It's worse at most marinas. There slowest setting is not very slow.

[jhiestand]

Actually, it does happen to other brands too!

http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=9167

As was mentioned, I watch the fuel gauge until it reads F then I slow down and listen EVER so diligently.

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

All,

I have a 2004 216. I open the trunk and watch the level in the translucent tank. Have to slide the headers in (I keep mine their) but its tried and true. Thus I can stop a few inches from the top.

[mfloski]

jvuotto, do you have this gizmo and does it work, is it worth the 70 bucks?

[DavidF]

Re: RE: Gassing Up...

Always been an issue with boating since the Coast Guard got involved, rules don’t always follow function. The old Mustang used to beltch fuel also. The problem is even more prevalent in our 211, but the 211 will take fuel at full pressure where the Mustang could only fuel on the first setting (really slow).
To answer your question, here is the link for the device I believe Jeff is referring. http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=LG-50

I purchased the device from skidim and never mounted or used it. I will sell it at a 25% discount if anyone wants it.

[jvuotto]

RE: Re: RE: Gassing Up...

mfloski,
No, I don't have it. We have learned to stop just shy of full by sound and rate of fill. This boat (211) is a lot easier to fill since the hose has more drop with the belly mounted tank. In addition, the Bu dudes seem to have a much greater problem with fuel spillage than we have ever had with CC. Likely going into Bu territory this weekend, I’ll ask around.
John

[ag4ever]

RE: Re: RE: Gassing Up...

That device will only work on the overflow line, and mine usually spits from the main fill too, so I just resorted to watching the fuel guage, and slowing near full, and not putting the last few gallons in.

[redelf75]

RE: Re: RE: Gassing Up...

I my boat, I have to wrestle with the pump nozzle to twist it backwards just to get into the fill hole.

But why is this a problem at all? I mean, cars have been fueling with the same pumps for decades and they don't overflow. I know what you're going to say...boats fill from the top and not the side. Poppycock! In my book, this design flaw is unacceptable.