Can you Tell Me About This Boat?

[chackett]

Thanks RidgeRunner,

I guess I should provide a little more detail. When I initially got the boat I siphoned off all the gas / water I could, until I was not able to siphon any more liquid out. Over the course of the next 5 weeks or so, I worked on engine and anytime I ran it, I ran it on a small external tank.

Once I got the motor running well, I put 20 gallons of fresh fuel in the internal tank. The next time I took it out, I started on the external tank, but when I switched to the internal tank, I couldn't get the motor to turn over. That's when I got towed back in (Thank you Boat US!) .. the day after I got towed in .. that's when I siphoned off the three mason jars I posted pictures of.

I probably siphoned off another 2 or 3 jars until there was no water in the tank. Then I ran the motor on the muffs for about 30 minutes total (10 minutes on, 10 minute rest, 10 minutes on, etc..) on the internal tank.

The following day I dropped the boat in the water and ran the remainder of the 20 gallons from the internal tank off. I'm really hoping the last bit of water I siphoned was just water that was left over from the first time I drained the tank and didn't get all the water that's in various places in the tank.

Thanks everyone .. really glad to be here.

Chris

[macojoe]

When ai got mine I drained as much as I could then thur the sending unit hoe I soaked up the rest with a rag till dry, then I knew I was god!

[aussie]

when cleaning fuel tanks I always add 1 litre of mentholated spirits to the tank--water mixes with metho and metho mixes with fuel I guess you all know that

[spareparts]

I've got to do some repairs to my fuel polisher, but all it is, is an electric fuel pump hooked to a water separating fuel filter. I hook it up to a hose with an extension of rigid line that allows me to "aim" it. I pull the fuel sender out an look for water on the bottom, you can vacuum it right out with teh pump, after I think I have it all out, I just hook it up to teh fuel outlet and let it cycle the fuel right back into the fuel fill. I've actually hooked it up and trailed the boat around the neighborhood to slosh it all around to get all teh fuel cleaned.

[bcraigan]

I have a dual console I'm getting ready to work on and it has a plastic tank also if I remember right... It is around a 1986 model but i'll have to check for sure. It was originally a sea drive but has a gill bracket now. Nice looking f20 you got there. I'll be pulling the gas tank soon so I'll let you know what I find. Thanks for the post and the pics. Looks great.

[chackett]

Thanks bcraigan. This boat definitely seems to have 9 lives. My dad and I bought it about 13 years ago. The hull is in surprisingly good condition considering it's age and level of neglect. I would say it was uncovered and unused in Bluffton SC for a period of two to three years. With only a very minimal amount of use.

It's been fun working on it. Although honestly most of what needs attention is the Suzuki DT200 on the back. It's really only needed a good carb job, couple of fuel lines replaced, some new plugs and it's pretty close to being good to go.

I think my next couple items to address are going to be cosmetic, like getting a new canvas for the T-Top and repairing or replacing some hatches. If anyone has a good source for repairing or replacing hatches on these boats, I'm all ears. Even if it's just a good build thread, I would appreciate any pointers.

Thanks again!
Chris

[chackett]

Hi All,

I thought I would give an update on this boat. I spent most of the winter last winter working on the motor. I was able to work through all the water in the fuel problems as well as a bunch of other things. Here's what I've done so far:

1. Replaced fuel lines under the cowling (several broken or rotten)
2. Resealed all the holes in the floor (like where the leaning post is screwed in)
3. Removed, cleaned and resealed the sending unit (BTW, in another thread I was asking about the gas tank. Must be a replacement, because it's definitely plastic, and seems fine now).
4. Replaced the deck-fill
5. Replaced the fuel vent with a "splash proof" type vent.
6. Removed, cleaned and rebuilt the carbs on the '86 Suzuki DT200
7. Replaced the plugs multiple times :)
8. Removed the old steering cable and replaced with teleflex cable and installed a new no feedback helm unit.

The boat and motor has been really strong since about mid-way through last season. I've been out just about every week this summer (maybe 10 times) and everything has been very solid.

Now I'm on to doing some cosmetic stuff like replacing broken hatches, doing some gelcoat repairs, maybe painting / sealing the floor. There are lots of spider web type cracking. Nothing structural, but just cosmetic.

Anyway, just thought I would give an update. really been enjoying the boat.

Chris