[willy]

Hey Kev sorry to hear about the problem with the gas, just saw this post today.
I had an odor of gas a couple of times with the boat after I filled it up at a gas station and drove it on a trailer for an hour to get home. I did not like that and got out and inspected everything and talked to a few guys here who had experienced the same and I figured it was to much expansion in the tank.
I never had liquid gas in the bildge though and it was always dry there and when I had opened everything up to look thru the inspection ports.
If you are finding gas in the bildge though that is a serious leak and the tank has to be pulled immediatly.

** IMPORTANT***
First open all vents etc and ventilate and do it away from your house and people in general. Reach in with wire cutters by the battery and clip off the connection for the bildge pump clip the wires off. Then flush the bildge with running water from a hose while venting. When you are sure there is no fumes and liquid gas to ignite remove the batteries with help one at a time and get them away from the boat.
The reason you clip the wires is to prevent the pump from cycling and possibly causing a spark when you flush it out.

Beware of static electricity from you tools etc. If you are leaking like you said then that foam will be soaking it up and stinking to high h@ll, it will retain enough to cause an explosion if ignited from a spark

Please do not do any work on that boat or leave it sitting with the batteries in there, with fuel in the foam and bildge it is literally a bomb.

I know you are a smart fellow and probably know these things but I felt I had to say it. And I am sorry you are having the problem with her, she is getting older and I guess it had to happen soon or a later especially with these new fuel additives.
I also apologize for not seeing this sooner but have not seen this repair thread for a long time.
Give a call if there is anything I could do to help, if you want I could take a ride up on one of my days off and help you pull that tank I know it is a bear of a job.
Willy