Gas gauge question...2003 Ski 206

[Ski206]

Over the 4th we did about 6 hours of boating. Near the end of the day while waiting for skiers to switch I noticed that my gas gauge was reading very close to empty and that my engine monitor on the tachometer was flashing low fuel. Not wanting to get stranded I called it quits and headed for the launch. Once under way my gauges showed a quarter tank and 1.6 hours left to empty. I stopped and started a couple of times to test and always received the same results. I filled up last night and could only get 23 gallons into the boat, so I really did have a quarter tank left. Is this normal for the gauges to act this way? I would have guessed they would be accurate at a stand still, not while running. Any one else seen this behavior?

[MacedayDave]

My 2005 Ski 196 exibits exactly the same traits as you mentioned. When my "Lo Fuel" light begins to flash, I can only add 23-24 gallons of fuel. Therefore, you can count on a 5-6 gallon "reserve" when the Lo Fuel light first comes on.

Dave

[bscott]

I have the same issue with my 2000 Sport. When the gauge reads half a tank, I can only add another 10 gallons, and when I am moving the gauge indicates more fuel than when sitting still. I can only guess that the fuel level sensor is at the back of the fuel tank. Someone suggested to me to actually look at the tank to compare what the guage reads and the level you can see in your tank to get an idea what the actual fuel level is for future reference.

[MARK-S]

I am not a mech, but I think the purpose is to keep the electronic fuel pump in the tank lubracated.
If your low light is on, that means that the pump is above the level of gas. Gas keeps the pump lubed up. Its the same in most new cars. Prior to EFI it did not matter.

[ag4ever]

I would rather it be more accurate when underway than at rest.

The only problem I have is that when underway, if the gauge starts to read 1/4 or less, I am getting really low.

[Ski206]

Thanks for all the replys. I was just worried something had come "loose" in the tank or a sending unit was going bad.