Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Just 2 days in her slip at the marina and finally out in the bay Flounder fishing ….the Bite Me died completely…..had to be towed back to the marina where the mechanic says the gas tank is deteriorating badly causing rusty chunks of metal to be pulled into the fuel lines…..choking off gas supply to the motor. This kind of problem cant be fixed as the tank is in the hull and cant be replaced.

Recall i had mentioned in a previous post it felt like it was idling rough? Well….thats why…..mechanic said there is no way to detect this problem while boat is on muffs and not moving as the rust and metal sits in the bottom of the tank until movement ( being on the water) causes the crap to come off the bottom and sucked into fuel system….as long as filter is changed and boat is siting on land…it cant be detected. To say im dejected and disappointed would be an understatement….my 1st boat is a giant paperweight.

One hopeful development….the marina where i bought the boat, after i called them and told them what was going on, did say to bring it back so thier mechanics can look at it…so she now sits in their lot…...heres hoping they do the right thing.


Happy Independence Day

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Being safe is the only good news here Danger, many of us have been through exactly what you went through. Is it possible to put an external tank on to get you some fishing time?

I did that with a 22' Sea Pro and then in the winter took it to the marina.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

I suppose i could use a portable tank….but thats not fixing the problem really, more like rigging it for now and kicking the can down the road. Im really hoping the marina will see that this was an undetectable issue when i had the boat surveyed ( obviously I wouldn’t have bought it knowing the fuel tank was rusting away) and give me my money back or maybe i put up a few more bucks and this boat and upgrade….

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Man do i ever wish you luck in getting your money back. I wonder if there is a lemon law for boats like there is for cars?

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

There isnt. I checked. Lemon laws only apply to new boats or used boats with a transferred warranty…..My hope lies in everone down here saying the owners of the marina where i bought it are very honest people who have been in business down here for a couple generations….

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Might help to go in in your uniform. May give them thought as not to screw you over. That yearly fire inspection may just not go their way.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

Sorry to hear of your plight. My boat goes in to shop on Friday, I feel your pain. On a brighter note, yes you can run a portable tank for remainder of season. That will keep you fishing. It would be an inconvenience having it in the way but again it allows you to enjoy the rest of the season with the boat. In the winter you can have the tank removed and replace it . You probably will have to have the console taken out and deck cut and then replaced but it can be done, people restore baits all the time. Any way , all of your options can be figured out after the marina checks it out. I hope they do the right thing for you. I wish you luck with that. Let us know what they say and how it turns out.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Haha..yeah….problem is im a Fire Captain in Philly, not Cape May.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Thanks CRK…..the few mechanics i have been dealing with down here said they dont know if its worth doing…once you start cutting decks and all that its so expensive that they dont know of anyone that even does it anymore.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Im gonna see what they say at the marina…it sounded to me the owner wants their mechanics to verify that the tank is the problem 1st before we proceed….then ill go from there…what a pain in the azz.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Yea but you have Brothers in the same line of work.

One time when purchasing a vehicle during the negotiation phase, i laid my dog tags that were on my key ring on the guys desk and suddenly a new deal was put on the table.

You serve your state in your profession and you have friends ( Brothers ) in Philly. Uniform just may get you a deal for a life time.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Go luck to you too CRK. Biggest problem i ever had on putting a boat in at this time of year is oddly it doesn't get fixed until the end of the summer / early Fall. It seems the commercial guys get top priority on repairs. Understandably so, after all it is their bread and butter. Now if you could find a guy that works on boats on the side just may be a win, win situation.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

Yes….true plum…i also have some “ bent nose” relatives in South Philly that specialize in , um, unfortunate incidents.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

I think i met them once on a project back in my Gov days. Good to have friends in specialty depts.

smitty Loc: maine

what about a bladder

a tank bladder is a solution for rusty old ranks in vintage cars and trucks being restored
dont know much about them. they are somehow inserted intoa tank and inflated and then hardened somehow.
?????????? dont know any thing about your boat but if you like it there way more options than just giving up on it.hang tough my friend