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Greetings, all.

I thought I'd post this response from the legendary Chuck Bennett from Boston Whaler. who is always so very helpful. I had asked him about a fuel smell in the cabin of our 2008 235CQ. I have seen this pop up once or twice in several forums. Here goes, FYI for anyone else with this model.

Joe

"On the fuel smell...I would definitely have your dealer inspect your boat to determine the cause.
The first thing they should check is for any obvious leaks in the bilge. If there doesn't seem to be a leaking tank or fittings, they would check under the round access cover, in the center of the fuel tank cover. This will allow them to see if perhaps the gasket for the fuel sending unit might be leaking.
If there are no visible signs of leaks (if needed, the dealer can perform a pressure test to check for leaks) there might be a smell permeating from the polyethylene fuel tank. This is quite common and is not dangerous, however, the smell should stay out of the cabin".

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Joe:

I saw that reply: "there might be a smell permeating from the polyethylene fuel tank. This is quite common and is not dangerous, however, the smell should stay out of the cabin."

Man...that's hard to take. how are you going to sit in your cabin and enjoy a sandwich and a soda or beer, in the shade with the smell of gasoline?

Good luck with that one. It appears that nothing is going to be done about it.

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Brian -

I know you are aware of this issue. Would the fuel fill/vent fix recommended for a 2005 model apply to a 2008 model?

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Phil
are you referring to the loop in the vent/overflow line? I've seen that line run without a loop in and it will allow vapors or odor to escape. The loop works sort of like a trap in the drain line of a sink.

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Actually I remember Brian's comment, along with others discussing fuel odors on Conquest 235 and 305's.

Think it was either a O ring on a fuel tank or changing the integrated fuel fill/vent with separate fill and vent.

(I remember really wierd things but can't remember where I left my keys).

One thread is here and the other is here

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Brian, Phil & Tom

Thank you all for your quick replies and advice.

Agree, Brian, very difficult to enjoy just about anything with that smell in the cabin, especially when coupled with that new fiberglass resin smell and a rocking boat! I first noticed the fuel smell (thought it was transient) this fall while fishing with my dad. We were anchored with a pretty rough chop on L.I. Sound and I had to go down below to get him a windbreaker.....almost tossed my cookies right there!

I will check into the fuel fill vent and o-ring first; seems logical.

Gentlemen, thank you once again.

Joe

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I do not disagree with Chuck Bennetts observation.

EVERY boat I've owned with a poly (permanent) tank emitted a fuel smell. Unfortuneately, in your case, it settles in the cabin.

I never felt it was dangerous (fumes) but just a lingering smell of gas or diesel. It was sort of like having it on your shoes or hands.

I've heard of the same issues with black water poly. tanks on boats and motorhomes/travel trailers.

I'm NOT a fan of poly tanks. They do, however, solve corrosion issues, etc. They are somewhat....gaseous permeable. At least odor.

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Phil,

I hope you're right about the vent. I'm not sure. I have a 98' 295 CQ so I dont have the plastic tanks. I've fixed lots of things on my boat over the years, but fortunately, the gas aroma is not one of them.

I have seen this come up a few times with some of the newer smaller CQ's. To my knowledge it did not get resolved (at least on the posts that I've read).

I wasnt real impressed with the reply stating that it wasnt gas "fumes" just gas "smell". Oh, then it's supposed to be OK then? You're not going to blow up, you're just going to get a headache and throw up when you go in your cabin offshore.

I love Whaler and have a good friend at the factory, but I wouldnt accept that answer if I had that problem with a new boat.

I hope that your issue gets resolved and that it's just something simple like a defective o-ring or something.

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Brian -

I don't know exactly, just regurgitating what I read.

I agree with you concerning fuel odors. Not acceptable.

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I did not say it was ACCEPTABLE, just fact.

I also said I am NOT a fan of POLY tanks for that very reason.

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They want you to live with a fuel smell in a new boat? If you ever want to sell her, how will you convince a potential buyer that its no big deal., Maybe a very small pinhole in the tank would encourage the dealer to install a new tank, preferably not a poly one. Is that wrong to suggest that?:o

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Desert -

Don't get me wrong. My reply was to Brian's comment:


My statement was to clarify that I am not an expert. I was only trying to convey the essence of discussion I read (and Brian posted on) on another forum.

I was not in any way suggesting you did or did not on anything. :)

Maybe I should have just linked the two threads I read and left it at that. :(

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Phil,

No worries. Thanks.

As I mentioned, I don't like that fact that the tanks "gas". However, they indeed do. If there is any consolation, they do seem to get better with age. Why? I have no idea.

I've noticed that this has become more of an issue with the advent of alcohol fuels. Alcohol fuels have lighter higher end ingredients that seem to permeate more readily.

I chased this exact issue with two new Non Whaler boats that I owned. I did everything, pressure tested, etc. I never found any leaks. And, both held pressure. Both got better with age.:|

This is also why you see so few (there are some) poly tanks on automobiles. They have a difficult time passing static EPA tests with anything but steel or aluminum tanks.