Reel, I believe you are right on the money with the location of the fuel vent and how the water gets in the tank. Mine is a 1980 and does have the fuel vent below the rub rail. Motor has been running like champ, however I went out today and the seas were 2'-4' and although that Carolina flair displaces water nicely, a lot does come up the sides, were the fuel vent is located. Sure enough, by mid day, I was having performance troubles again. Water in the fuel.. When I got back, I ran the motor on my new 6 gallon tank and after burning the brackish fuel from the carbs, she was up and running normal. Before I make a new hole on the fiberglass, I'm going to install a new temporary vent on the cover of the inspection hatch that I have on the inside by the fuel cap and leave the existing vent with a short hose connected to a small container to go out and test the theory. Will keep you posted.
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