99 Air - Someone is siphoning gas out of my tank...

[charlesml3]

Gang,

Twice now I've come up to the lake house and found the tank in my 99 Air at half. This boat always had a kinda small gas tank so I'm pretty diligent about filling the tank before it goes back on the lift so I think someone is tying to the dock at night and siphoning gas out of the tank.

Looking for REASONABLE solutions. Not "sit in the woods with a gun and wait." Does anyone know of a fitting I can put in the filler tube that will keep someone from getting a siphon tube down there? Some kind of stiff screen would work.

I thought I'd ask here and see if someone else had fashioned something before I started in on it.

Much thanks!

-Charles

[rbalan]

I actually found it difficult to siphon gas out. Using 1/4 inch vinyl tubing, I could only get a little way down the filler neck before getting stuck at a bend. Whoever got you must have been pretty determined. I know I have heard of something you are looking for, but can't think of where I saw it.

BTW, the increments on your fuel gauge are actually quite off due to the shape of the tank. I can get about 15 gallons out of my tank with the gauge reading 1/4 tank. Watching the gauge drop after filling up seems like it is really drinking fuel. The reality is we have pretty fuel efficient boats and a tank of gas goes a long way.

[rbalan]

West marine also has SS locking gas caps made by Perko that may fit.

[ers906]

Also angle of your boat on the lift is different than in the water your gauges will also read differently

[charlesml3]

I bought this boat new so I do know about the "angle" issues. It's a great boat but like most of them, it has its quirks.

Someone is most certainly siphoning gas from me. I drove over to the marina today and put 13 gallons in.

I'll see if West Marine has a locking cap that will fit.

Thanks!

-Charles

[Rick]

Use a Deer Cam

I don't know if you can mount one but you might want to get a motion activated camera and try to take a picture of the culprit. I think they are about $150 at Bass Pro Shops or online. Thats only 50 gallons of gas.

[TRDon]

My first though is why not fill the tank before you use it instead of topping it off for some jerk to take. It is easier to siphon a full tank than a low tank.

[charlesml3]

OK, been doing some poking around and Perko does make a locking cap for this. Perfect! I may even be able to buy a locking cap without having to change out the filler "body" as well. Anybody know for sure?

Thanks in advance!

-Charles

[CradGen2]

Personally, I'd take a weeks vacation and camp in the woods. Yes I'd have lots of guns and ammo. Chances are I'd have my 50 Cal along with the 45's. The 45 make more noise. The more I think about it, I'd sleep under the cover each night and wait. I'd paint my face camo style and jump up guns blazing.

The locking cap is a great idea, but all it will do it put the thieves down a couple docks to do the same thing.

Nothing and I mean nothing rubs me the wrong way then stealing. I'd rather a person come and say, I'm going to steal your gas being I'm out of work, I find something for them to do and pay them, even if was just sitting and drinking a beer with me.

Sorry stealing really jacks me.