Fuel line question

[old islander]

I'm rebuilding my starcraft islander. The factory tanks are located front of the boat, side saddle against the gunnels, even with the drivers seat. When I took it apart it was plumbed tank to fuel pump [about 12 feet] with rubber fuel line. That seems like a lot of rubber line to me. Can steel fuel line be used? something like is used in cars? Aluminum fuel line is also an option. I would feel more confident with the abrasion resistance of a hard line verses all that rubber hose. Would this work or would it be bad from a grounding standpoint or an electrical hazard? Any advice?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel line question

I'm rebuilding my starcraft islander. The factory tanks are located front of the boat, side saddle against the gunnels, even with the drivers seat. When I took it apart it was plumbed tank to fuel pump [about 12 feet] with rubber fuel line. That seems like a lot of rubber line to me. Can steel fuel line be used? something like is used in cars? Aluminum fuel line is also an option. I would feel more confident with the abrasion resistance of a hard line verses all that rubber hose. Would this work or would it be bad from a grounding standpoint or an electrical hazard? Any advice?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... The original fuel lines lasted How long,..??

SoP in most boats is usin' CG approved rubber fuel lines, except from the fuel pump to the carb...

 

[old islander]

Re: Fuel line question

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... The original fuel lines lasted How long,..??

SoP in most boats is usin' CG approved rubber fuel lines, except from the fuel pump to the carb...

The lines in the boat were not original. A p o had replaced them with the proper CG approved line, however they are run through the same loops under the gunnels as all the boat wiring. seems like a bad idea to have fuel and electric all running together like that. I understand the rubber is sop on most boats, but should it be separated from the wiring in it's route to the rear of the boat? I was thinking about running a hard line away from the wire harness and only having the last foot or so on each end [line to tank-line to pump] run in rubber. This would give a vibration isolation on each end.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel line question

The lines in the boat were not original. A p o had replaced them with the proper CG approved line, however they are run through the same loops under the gunnels as all the boat wiring. seems like a bad idea to have fuel and electric all running together like that. I understand the rubber is sop on most boats, but should it be separated from the wiring in it's route to the rear of the boat? I was thinking about running a hard line away from the wire harness and only having the last foot or so on each end [line to tank-line to pump] run in rubber. This would give a vibration isolation on each end.

Ayuh,..... I agree the fuel lines shouldn't be run with the wirin'....

But I don't see any advantage to hard lines, steel will rust, 'n aluminum will wear through in a heartbeat, compared to rubber line.....

Just re-route the new lines, insteada redoin' the PO's screw-up...

On my ole Islander, the wirin', 'n cables run High in the gunnel, 'n the fuel lines run Low....

 

[old islander]

Re: Fuel line question

Thank you bond-o You and Don S are the yoda's of the boatin' world.