what a mess.........

epivitor

Recruit
Joined
May 4, 2002
Messages
4
let's talk about having a bad day.Went to gas station to fill up fuel tank gave my uncle the credit card to fill my tank while i went across the street to get some bags of ice at the deli.I come back get on the boat to put ice in the fishbox and i could not beleive what i was seeing.My uncle pumped 40 gallons into my rod holder!!!!!!!!!!.To make a long story short the gas station attendant thought it would be wise to call the local fire departement.When they arrived they carefully moved my car and trailer away from the station and with hand pumps removed nothing close to 40 gallons.I thanked the firemen and drove home knowing that i have over 20 gallons of high octane splashing around in the hull.At my driveway tilted the bow up using jack stands under the trailer pulled the drain plug and filled 2 five gallon buckets.Another thing i forgot to mention is that the night before i had bought a new battery and while charging it i did not hook up the terminals.If battery terminals were installed and the bilge pump kicked on would there be a possibility of explosion? Another question is if there is any gas trapped in the hull would it weaken the fiberglass? Also if the foam absorbs the fuel would it eventually evaporate? Thanks in advance for any info. <br />Has anyone experienced this situation or am i the only one>>>>>>>> :eek:
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: what a mess.........

Wow,I dont think the gas will hurt the fiberglass.Look it over open as much of the bilge as possible Be very careful of the fumes could be deadly till they evaporate.They are heavy and will tend to lay in the bottom of the boat.The good news is they will evaporate fast.I think I would hook it to the car put in about the same amount of warm soapy water as the gas that was in there. Keep in mind water is mighty heavy and could change the balance on the trailer.drive around making the water slosh real good.drain and redo it a couple of times The smell will be tough to get rid of.Try ODUBAN or a similar product.<br />You may want to ask around a marina somebody must have done that before. <br />Bildge pumps are sealed should not cause a problem though I sure wouldnt set it off for a while.I think your floation foam is resistant to gas but try to check it.The gas may have disolved it.Good luck,be careful, Spike
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: what a mess.........

epivitor,<br /><br />Yikes!!! Steelspike said it all-good advice.<br />Don't put the boat inside or cover it for a while.<br /><br />Next time, send the uncle to the deli.
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Re: what a mess.........

you need to educate your uncle on the use of rod holders more then anything :)<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank
 

495v

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 13, 2002
Messages
432
Re: what a mess.........

Did you make your uncle walk home????? How do you mistake a rod locker for a gas filler. I would have gone ballistic. Hope everything turns out with little damage.
 

grandx

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
383
Re: what a mess.........

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, almost unbelievable. When I think I've had a bad day, i'm goin to dig up your post and read again. Did you get your uncle back to the institution without killing him???
 

Terry H

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 25, 2001
Messages
1,862
Re: what a mess.........

epivator...things happen and then you fix them...I would try to pull up enough floorboard to help air it out and hose it down...and check out any flotation for damage. Gas can eat at most resins if left long enough. So if you can pull some floor up and raise the bow high you should be able to get all the fuel and fumes out. Don't put it back together until there's not gasoline smell at all. Use battery or hand tools so there's no possibility of sparks. Good luck...just a Thought<br />ps. I've seen worse
 

Hooty

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
4,496
Re: what a mess.........

Check around and see if you can locate a tank of nitrogen. A/C techs use it all the time. It's inert and can be used to flush the gas fumes from the bilge.<br />Like an old bud of mine would say when something like happened to you happens, "ya get that ole sh*t-copper taste in your mouth".<br />Glad no one got hurt.<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty
 
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