fuel lines

[SkunkBoat]

Are you removing the tank, inspecting/ replacing? Maybe wait then till you know that the connections on the tank will be in the same place. Like you said, hose is expensive and a half inch too short might as well be a yard!
And you can't leave extra cause the gas will pool in the hoses and cause filling/venting problems. Oh and wear long sleeves if you don't want to trash your forearms....