Fuel / Water Separator in the bilge area?

[Motor Fish]

Hi all,

Still getting familiar with my new toy - 2002 17' Seahunt CC with a 125hp Merc 2 stroke. With all the fuel problems Ethanol has been causing, I want to be sure that she has a fuel / water separator. It looks like there is one, but it's installed in the bilge area. Also, the filter is black.

Is this a reasonable place to install the filter? Or am I confusing it for something else?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

[fishaholic18]

As long as it's not leaking, I don't see why not put it in the bilge, may not want it to get too exposed to salt though, salt will rust it quick.

[Moses]

For my Sea Hunt, I had to get an after market one installed. They did this in between the rear batteries and bildge area.

[Van]

It should be easy to access. The bildge seems like an odd spot.
Also it should be higher than the tank so you dont get lots of fuel leaking when you replace it. Worst is when you have to replace it at sea, so consider that too.

[riverrat55]

You should install it in the bilge between your fuel tank and the bulb pump that injects the gas into the engine!!!
If you have to mix your oil with your gas it is ok, because the filter will not take the oil out of the gas!!!
Also, when replacing the filter, fill it up with gas before screwing it back on to the bracket!!!
You can also buy some Startron by starbrite which you can add a few ounces to your gas tank every time you fill up to help with the ethanol problem!!!

[MakoMike]

Never, never ever put it in the bilge, your asking for gas to spill into the bilge and when the bilge fills with gas fumes big booms happen. It can even happen on outboards if a stray spark find its way to the fumes. Getting it out of the way isn't worth your boat or your life!

[MTC]

If it is below the tank add a shutoff

[gf2020]

Never, never ever put it in the bilge...

I suspect that the bilge area in a 17' SeaHunt is about the size of a loaf of bread. Nothing to worry about there.

I had my Racor fuel/water separator installed in the bilge of my McKee Craft 196; no issues in 3 seasons of operation.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by gf2020

I suspect that the bilge area in a 17' SeaHunt is about the size of a loaf of bread. Nothing to worry about there.

I had my Racor fuel/water separator installed in the bilge of my McKee Craft 196; no issues in 3 seasons of operation.

Try taking a gallon gas can that all but empty and throw a cigarette into it, then let me know how safe it is! A gallon of gas fumes is about the equivalent of two stick of dynamite, not something I'd want to be hauling around in my bilge.

[beamie]

The bottom line here is that you can't get complacent with gasoline vapors.

Gasoline has a flash poing of about -40'F compared to diesel that is 150'F and up, (the reasons diesels are hard to start in winter). That means Mako Mike can put his cigerette out in the gallon of diesel. Try that with gas and you'll get hurt badly.

Many boats, especially inboards have the filters in the bilge, along with the engines and tanks. (the bilge being any place under the floor) Leaks can come from anywhere....bad hose, leaking tank, leaking fitting at tank on and on.

The only good thing to do is buy a explosive vapor tester. If you don't want to spend the money, always, always run the blower before starting. AND NOT JUST FOR THE FIRST TIME. Run it for a while before going to the next fishing spot. Inspect the bilge every time before going out and give it the sniff test. Make sure you have a good ventilation system, vent cowls etc. And finally make sure electrical connections are in good order (clean) and don't want to make a spark jump.

SO WHEN YOU INSPECT THE BILGE AREA AND GET A WIFF OF GAS DON'T SAY I'LL GET TO THAT NEXT WEEK, CAUSE THERE MAY NOT BE A NEXT WEEK.