SD
Steve Day
Sun, Apr 14, 2024 4:51 PM
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is
unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked
and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and
possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?.
If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other
than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4
smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is
unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked
and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and
possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?.
If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other
than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4
smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
CP
Carmine Petracca
Sun, Apr 14, 2024 5:33 PM
If the leak were from an outboard seam, I would think that an access hole could be cut from the inboard side and the leak repaired. Obviously locating the leak is the first order of business.
Best of luck, I don’t envy you with this problem, but I think it can be solved easier than replacing the tank.
Carmine Petracca
Sleepless, NT32-86
Anacortes, WA
On Apr 14, 2024, at 9:52 AM, Steve Day via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
If the leak were from an outboard seam, I would think that an access hole could be cut from the inboard side and the leak repaired. Obviously locating the leak is the first order of business.
Best of luck, I don’t envy you with this problem, but I think it can be solved easier than replacing the tank.
Carmine Petracca
Sleepless, NT32-86
Anacortes, WA
> On Apr 14, 2024, at 9:52 AM, Steve Day via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hi all,
> My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
>
> Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
>
> Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
>
> Steve
> SINBAD - NT37-192
> Harwich UK
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
MR
Michael Russell
Mon, Apr 15, 2024 12:14 AM
I had the same problem with my NT39. Water in the tank accumulates in the foreword end and eventually causes pinhole damage. The fix was to cut an access hole in inboard side then clean the tank and seal it. This is best done by pro. The fix worked but it takes a lot of “boat bucks”.
Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 14, 2024, at 10:34 AM, Carmine Petracca via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
If the leak were from an outboard seam, I would think that an access hole could be cut from the inboard side and the leak repaired. Obviously locating the leak is the first order of business.
Best of luck, I don’t envy you with this problem, but I think it can be solved easier than replacing the tank.
Carmine Petracca
Sleepless, NT32-86
Anacortes, WA
On Apr 14, 2024, at 9:52 AM, Steve Day via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
I had the same problem with my NT39. Water in the tank accumulates in the foreword end and eventually causes pinhole damage. The fix was to cut an access hole in inboard side then clean the tank and seal it. This is best done by pro. The fix worked but it takes a lot of “boat bucks”.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 14, 2024, at 10:34 AM, Carmine Petracca via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>
> If the leak were from an outboard seam, I would think that an access hole could be cut from the inboard side and the leak repaired. Obviously locating the leak is the first order of business.
> Best of luck, I don’t envy you with this problem, but I think it can be solved easier than replacing the tank.
> Carmine Petracca
> Sleepless, NT32-86
> Anacortes, WA
>
>> On Apr 14, 2024, at 9:52 AM, Steve Day via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Hi all,
>> My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
>>
>> Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
>>
>> Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
>>
>> Steve
>> SINBAD - NT37-192
>> Harwich UK
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
>> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
> _______________________________________________
> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
TK
Tom Krahn
Mon, Apr 15, 2024 1:24 AM
We had a fuel tank leak. It was very slow and very, very hard to find.
We eventually localized the leak to the front portion of the tank.
We considered the possibility of cutting the tank into pieces and
removing it, but the space was too cramped (in the 32) for any of the
people who worked on our boat to feel safe doing that.
We considered first cutting a porthole in the tank to inspect and clean
it, lining the tank, and/or replacing the tank with bladder(s). We decided
against those for various reasons.
So we decided to get a whole new tank. To do this a hole needed to be
cut in the topsides, the tank removed, a new aluminum tank installed,
and fiberglass work done to repair the hole. The result was great. You
can’t see where the hole was cut.
Once the tank was removed, it was examined. The leak was due to the
bottom seam of the tank rubbing against the forward bulkhead, just above
the stringer. A small pinhole developed. I think this may be a design
flaw.
Tom Krahn
Diana B.
32-285
Barrington, RI
We had a fuel tank leak. It was very slow and very, very hard to find.
We eventually localized the leak to the front portion of the tank.
We considered the possibility of cutting the tank into pieces and
removing it, but the space was too cramped (in the 32) for any of the
people who worked on our boat to feel safe doing that.
We considered first cutting a porthole in the tank to inspect and clean
it, lining the tank, and/or replacing the tank with bladder(s). We decided
against those for various reasons.
So we decided to get a whole new tank. To do this a hole needed to be
cut in the topsides, the tank removed, a new aluminum tank installed,
and fiberglass work done to repair the hole. The result was great. You
can’t see where the hole was cut.
Once the tank was removed, it was examined. The leak was due to the
bottom seam of the tank rubbing against the forward bulkhead, just above
the stringer. A small pinhole developed. I think this may be a design
flaw.
Tom Krahn
Diana B.
32-285
Barrington, RI
LT
Lee Tuthill
Fri, Apr 19, 2024 7:44 PM
Steve,
A year ago at launch I found about two quarts of diesel fuel in my tank room bilge. I had not checked the bilge before launch. After cleaning it up and suspecting it had come from starboard tank, I used a pole to push several rolled up absorbent pads in behind the forward end of the tank along the hull. The first removal brought some residual diesel and what looked like initial manufacturing debris. After placing a second set of pads back along outboard side of tank, I monitored them and found no additional diesel. What next??
As part of winterizing Encore I get a gerry jug with about a gallon of diesel to use in filling respective fuel filter replacements. Remaining diesel was poured into the starboard tank. Could that hav been the source? Was there a possible leak in the fill part of the tank? I had not added fuel in over a year. I went from the North Channel to the southern end of Georgian Bay (Ontario) to a large marina that had the equipment to pressurize the system. We totally isolated all parts of tank and fill pipe, closing all flow valves to and from engine and sight gauges. The test was done with 2+ psi for14 hours. There was zero pressure drop over those 14 hours so we decided to just go cruising. I did add fuel while at that marina to about half full and had no leakage during that process. I continued to leave new, rolled up absorbent pads behind the tank and at haul out, found no sign of diesel leakage. The mystery remains and when we launch boat this spring we certainly hope to find no fuel in the bilge.
During this entire process, Dave Allen at NT was very helpful with suggestions that included replacement of the tank. As a starter for that major undertaking, the water tank would need to be removed to allow maneuver room for the removal and replacement of the starboard tank. There had been discussions of cutting a hole in the tank and trying to find the leak and then sealing it with special sealant but the difficulty in my mind was just how to find the leak source and then the issue of reliability of sealing it from the inside.
Our NT 37 is hull number 190, (compared to your 192) which raises the question about a possible manufacturing defect in the tanks which were made so close to each other time wise. Please keep me posted on your eventual solution.
Lee
ENCORE,NT37 FB, 190.
Exeter, RI, but currently in northern Lake Huron.
On Apr 14, 2024, at 12:51 PM, Steve Day via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Steve,
A year ago at launch I found about two quarts of diesel fuel in my tank room bilge. I had not checked the bilge before launch. After cleaning it up and suspecting it had come from starboard tank, I used a pole to push several rolled up absorbent pads in behind the forward end of the tank along the hull. The first removal brought some residual diesel and what looked like initial manufacturing debris. After placing a second set of pads back along outboard side of tank, I monitored them and found no additional diesel. What next??
As part of winterizing Encore I get a gerry jug with about a gallon of diesel to use in filling respective fuel filter replacements. Remaining diesel was poured into the starboard tank. Could that hav been the source? Was there a possible leak in the fill part of the tank? I had not added fuel in over a year. I went from the North Channel to the southern end of Georgian Bay (Ontario) to a large marina that had the equipment to pressurize the system. We totally isolated all parts of tank and fill pipe, closing all flow valves to and from engine and sight gauges. The test was done with 2+ psi for14 hours. There was zero pressure drop over those 14 hours so we decided to just go cruising. I did add fuel while at that marina to about half full and had no leakage during that process. I continued to leave new, rolled up absorbent pads behind the tank and at haul out, found no sign of diesel leakage. The mystery remains and when we launch boat this spring we certainly hope to find no fuel in the bilge.
During this entire process, Dave Allen at NT was very helpful with suggestions that included replacement of the tank. As a starter for that major undertaking, the water tank would need to be removed to allow maneuver room for the removal and replacement of the starboard tank. There had been discussions of cutting a hole in the tank and trying to find the leak and then sealing it with special sealant but the difficulty in my mind was just how to find the leak source and then the issue of reliability of sealing it from the inside.
Our NT 37 is hull number 190, (compared to your 192) which raises the question about a possible manufacturing defect in the tanks which were made so close to each other time wise. Please keep me posted on your eventual solution.
Lee
ENCORE,NT37 FB, 190.
Exeter, RI, but currently in northern Lake Huron.
> On Apr 14, 2024, at 12:51 PM, Steve Day via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>
> Hi all,
> My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
>
> Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
>
> Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
>
> Steve
> SINBAD - NT37-192
> Harwich UK
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
TK
Tom Krahn
Fri, Apr 19, 2024 8:04 PM
I'm sorry if this is a repost, but it didn't seem to post last time.
I've had email problems.
We had a fuel tank leak. It was very slow and very, very hard to find.
We eventually localized the leak to the front portion of the tank.
We considered the possibility of cutting the tank into pieces and
removing it, but the space was too cramped (in the 32) for any of the
people who worked on our boat to feel safe doing that.
We considered first cutting a porthole in the tank to inspect and clean
it, lining the tank, and/or replacing the tank with bladder(s). We decided
against those for various reasons.
So we decided to get a whole new tank. To do this a hole needed to be
cut in the topsides, the tank removed, a new aluminum tank installed,
and fiberglass work done to repair the hole. The result was great. You
can’t see where the hole was cut.
Once the tank was removed, it was examined. The leak was due to the
bottom seam of the tank rubbing against the forward bulkhead, just above
the stringer. A small pinhole developed. I think this may be a design
flaw.
Tom Krahn
Diana B.
32-285
Barrington, RI
On Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 3:45 PM Lee Tuthill via Sentoa
sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Steve,
A year ago at launch I found about two quarts of diesel fuel in my tank room bilge. I had not checked the bilge before launch. After cleaning it up and suspecting it had come from starboard tank, I used a pole to push several rolled up absorbent pads in behind the forward end of the tank along the hull. The first removal brought some residual diesel and what looked like initial manufacturing debris. After placing a second set of pads back along outboard side of tank, I monitored them and found no additional diesel. What next??
As part of winterizing Encore I get a gerry jug with about a gallon of diesel to use in filling respective fuel filter replacements. Remaining diesel was poured into the starboard tank. Could that hav been the source? Was there a possible leak in the fill part of the tank? I had not added fuel in over a year. I went from the North Channel to the southern end of Georgian Bay (Ontario) to a large marina that had the equipment to pressurize the system. We totally isolated all parts of tank and fill pipe, closing all flow valves to and from engine and sight gauges. The test was done with 2+ psi for14 hours. There was zero pressure drop over those 14 hours so we decided to just go cruising. I did add fuel while at that marina to about half full and had no leakage during that process. I continued to leave new, rolled up absorbent pads behind the tank and at haul out, found no sign of diesel leakage. The mystery remains and when we launch boat this spring we certainly hope to find no fuel in the bilge.
During this entire process, Dave Allen at NT was very helpful with suggestions that included replacement of the tank. As a starter for that major undertaking, the water tank would need to be removed to allow maneuver room for the removal and replacement of the starboard tank. There had been discussions of cutting a hole in the tank and trying to find the leak and then sealing it with special sealant but the difficulty in my mind was just how to find the leak source and then the issue of reliability of sealing it from the inside.
Our NT 37 is hull number 190, (compared to your 192) which raises the question about a possible manufacturing defect in the tanks which were made so close to each other time wise. Please keep me posted on your eventual solution.
Lee
ENCORE,NT37 FB, 190.
Exeter, RI, but currently in northern Lake Huron.
On Apr 14, 2024, at 12:51 PM, Steve Day via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hi all,
My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
Steve
SINBAD - NT37-192
Harwich UK
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
I'm sorry if this is a repost, but it didn't seem to post last time.
I've had email problems.
We had a fuel tank leak. It was very slow and very, very hard to find.
We eventually localized the leak to the front portion of the tank.
We considered the possibility of cutting the tank into pieces and
removing it, but the space was too cramped (in the 32) for any of the
people who worked on our boat to feel safe doing that.
We considered first cutting a porthole in the tank to inspect and clean
it, lining the tank, and/or replacing the tank with bladder(s). We decided
against those for various reasons.
So we decided to get a whole new tank. To do this a hole needed to be
cut in the topsides, the tank removed, a new aluminum tank installed,
and fiberglass work done to repair the hole. The result was great. You
can’t see where the hole was cut.
Once the tank was removed, it was examined. The leak was due to the
bottom seam of the tank rubbing against the forward bulkhead, just above
the stringer. A small pinhole developed. I think this may be a design
flaw.
Tom Krahn
Diana B.
32-285
Barrington, RI
On Fri, Apr 19, 2024 at 3:45 PM Lee Tuthill via Sentoa
<sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>
> Steve,
>
> A year ago at launch I found about two quarts of diesel fuel in my tank room bilge. I had not checked the bilge before launch. After cleaning it up and suspecting it had come from starboard tank, I used a pole to push several rolled up absorbent pads in behind the forward end of the tank along the hull. The first removal brought some residual diesel and what looked like initial manufacturing debris. After placing a second set of pads back along outboard side of tank, I monitored them and found no additional diesel. What next??
>
> As part of winterizing Encore I get a gerry jug with about a gallon of diesel to use in filling respective fuel filter replacements. Remaining diesel was poured into the starboard tank. Could that hav been the source? Was there a possible leak in the fill part of the tank? I had not added fuel in over a year. I went from the North Channel to the southern end of Georgian Bay (Ontario) to a large marina that had the equipment to pressurize the system. We totally isolated all parts of tank and fill pipe, closing all flow valves to and from engine and sight gauges. The test was done with 2+ psi for14 hours. There was zero pressure drop over those 14 hours so we decided to just go cruising. I did add fuel while at that marina to about half full and had no leakage during that process. I continued to leave new, rolled up absorbent pads behind the tank and at haul out, found no sign of diesel leakage. The mystery remains and when we launch boat this spring we certainly hope to find no fuel in the bilge.
>
> During this entire process, Dave Allen at NT was very helpful with suggestions that included replacement of the tank. As a starter for that major undertaking, the water tank would need to be removed to allow maneuver room for the removal and replacement of the starboard tank. There had been discussions of cutting a hole in the tank and trying to find the leak and then sealing it with special sealant but the difficulty in my mind was just how to find the leak source and then the issue of reliability of sealing it from the inside.
>
> Our NT 37 is hull number 190, (compared to your 192) which raises the question about a possible manufacturing defect in the tanks which were made so close to each other time wise. Please keep me posted on your eventual solution.
>
> Lee
> ENCORE,NT37 FB, 190.
> Exeter, RI, but currently in northern Lake Huron.
>
> > On Apr 14, 2024, at 12:51 PM, Steve Day via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
> >
> > Hi all,
> > My NT37 has developed a fuel leak from the starboard side tank, it is unclear where the leak is coming from, all the fittings have been checked and all are dry. My fear is that it is coming from behind the tank, and possibly from one of the seams.
> >
> > Anybody had similar problems or know of any possible causes of the leak?. If it is a problem with one of the seams then I see no alternative other than removing the tank by cutting it up in situ and replacing with 3 or 4 smaller tanks linked together, not a job for the fainthearted....
> >
> > Any thoughts would be welcome and appreciated.
> >
> > Steve
> > SINBAD - NT37-192
> > Harwich UK
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> > To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
> _______________________________________________
> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
B
bmacpiper@me.com
Wed, Jul 16, 2025 8:05 PM
Hi there Lee and Steve,
I’m having this same problem and wonder if you’ve found a solution. I’m also a similar build number—37-202.
Spot on identical symptoms—starboard tank leaks maybe a quart or so of diesel at the front of the tank, if it leaks enough it goes into the bilge. I also use Pig sausages to soak it up. I have been into the access for the fills behind the kitchen sink cabinet and that is all dry top and bottom. All fittings on the valves, sight gauges, etc. are dry. It only happens with a full tank, and usually only with a little bit of a rolling sea (i.e. quartering sea, etc.). On my most recent fill, I held to 150 gallons instead of 162 and it still happened.
I’m hopeful you have had success finding the issue; raw diesel inside the boat is not my favorite thing. Any ideas most welcome, and I’ll ping Dave Allen also since this is not three boats with the problem, all made within a couple of years of one another.
best,
Ben McCafferty
Hi there Lee and Steve,
I’m having this same problem and wonder if you’ve found a solution. I’m also a similar build number—37-202.
Spot on identical symptoms—starboard tank leaks maybe a quart or so of diesel at the front of the tank, if it leaks enough it goes into the bilge. I also use Pig sausages to soak it up. I have been into the access for the fills behind the kitchen sink cabinet and that is all dry top and bottom. All fittings on the valves, sight gauges, etc. are dry. It only happens with a full tank, and usually only with a little bit of a rolling sea (i.e. quartering sea, etc.). On my most recent fill, I held to 150 gallons instead of 162 and it still happened.
I’m hopeful you have had success finding the issue; raw diesel inside the boat is not my favorite thing. Any ideas most welcome, and I’ll ping Dave Allen also since this is not three boats with the problem, all made within a couple of years of one another.
best,
Ben McCafferty
RS
Rick Schmidtke
Wed, Jul 16, 2025 8:14 PM
I had similar issues, turned out to be loose hose clamps on the fill hose. I used pvc and made a 4 foot pipe, slit the ends, put in socket, and was able to tighten hose clamp on each side.
Hope that helps
37-116
Commencement Bay, Wa
Sent from my iPad
Rick Schmidtke
On Jul 16, 2025, at 1:05 PM, Ben McCafferty via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hi there Lee and Steve,
I’m having this same problem and wonder if you’ve found a solution. I’m also a similar build number—37-202.
Spot on identical symptoms—starboard tank leaks maybe a quart or so of diesel at the front of the tank, if it leaks enough it goes into the bilge. I also use Pig sausages to soak it up. I have been into the access for the fills behind the kitchen sink cabinet and that is all dry top and bottom. All fittings on the valves, sight gauges, etc. are dry. It only happens with a full tank, and usually only with a little bit of a rolling sea (i.e. quartering sea, etc.). On my most recent fill, I held to 150 gallons instead of 162 and it still happened.
I’m hopeful you have had success finding the issue; raw diesel inside the boat is not my favorite thing. Any ideas most welcome, and I’ll ping Dave Allen also since this is not three boats with the problem, all made within a couple of years of one another.
best,
Ben McCafferty
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
I had similar issues, turned out to be loose hose clamps on the fill hose. I used pvc and made a 4 foot pipe, slit the ends, put in socket, and was able to tighten hose clamp on each side.
Hope that helps
37-116
Commencement Bay, Wa
Sent from my iPad
Rick Schmidtke
> On Jul 16, 2025, at 1:05 PM, Ben McCafferty via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
>
>
> Hi there Lee and Steve,
>
> I’m having this same problem and wonder if you’ve found a solution. I’m also a similar build number—37-202.
>
> Spot on identical symptoms—starboard tank leaks maybe a quart or so of diesel at the front of the tank, if it leaks enough it goes into the bilge. I also use Pig sausages to soak it up. I have been into the access for the fills behind the kitchen sink cabinet and that is all dry top and bottom. All fittings on the valves, sight gauges, etc. are dry. It only happens with a full tank, and usually only with a little bit of a rolling sea (i.e. quartering sea, etc.). On my most recent fill, I held to 150 gallons instead of 162 and it still happened.
>
> I’m hopeful you have had success finding the issue; raw diesel inside the boat is not my favorite thing. Any ideas most welcome, and I’ll ping Dave Allen also since this is not three boats with the problem, all made within a couple of years of one another.
>
> best,
>
> Ben McCafferty
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
B
bmacpiper@me.com
Wed, Jul 16, 2025 8:35 PM
One more thing. Trying to upload some photos. There is a grey box of some kind near the fill pipe (branded either Vetus or Uetus). It had a single drop of red diesel on the bottom of it, but nothing more. Could this be some sort of vent that prevents pressure in the tank during fill up, allowing overflow when too full? Of note, I have never had diesel flow out the vent on the side of the boat when accidentally overfilling the tank—I wonder if the grey box is there to catch overflow, then drains into the tank, but perhaps is somehow draining into the boat instead?
One more thing. Trying to upload some photos. There is a grey box of some kind near the fill pipe (branded either Vetus or Uetus). It had a single drop of red diesel on the bottom of it, but nothing more. Could this be some sort of vent that prevents pressure in the tank during fill up, allowing overflow when too full? Of note, I have never had diesel flow out the vent on the side of the boat when accidentally overfilling the tank—I wonder if the grey box is there to catch overflow, then drains into the tank, but perhaps is somehow draining into the boat instead?
B
bmacpiper@me.com
Wed, Jul 16, 2025 8:43 PM
Very sorry for the multiple posts. I found the Vetus device, it’s a “splash stop” and is a small (.6 gal) reservoir. When filling diesel, if you would have overflowed, the reservoir catches it instead, and then it drains from there back to the main tank. The Vetus is also vented to the outside, which explains why I’ve not had diesel flow out of the external vent—goes into the Vetus instead.
In my case, both ends of the fill pipe hose and the drain from the Vetus to the main tank are dry, so it doesn’t seem to be the culprit. However, I wonder if there might be a crack on the back side of the Vetus reservoir that I can’t see—it would track that it’s only filled when the tank is full, and once it leaks its volume out (about the amount that all three affected boats have reported), it would be empty and stay empty until the next fill. I’ll get the bore scope in there next and report back.
Best,
Ben
Very sorry for the multiple posts. I found the Vetus device, it’s a “splash stop” and is a small (.6 gal) reservoir. When filling diesel, if you would have overflowed, the reservoir catches it instead, and then it drains from there back to the main tank. The Vetus is also vented to the outside, which explains why I’ve not had diesel flow out of the external vent—goes into the Vetus instead.
In my case, both ends of the fill pipe hose and the drain from the Vetus to the main tank are dry, so it doesn’t seem to be the culprit. However, I wonder if there might be a crack on the back side of the Vetus reservoir that I can’t see—it would track that it’s only filled when the tank is full, and once it leaks its volume out (about the amount that all three affected boats have reported), it would be empty and stay empty until the next fill. I’ll get the bore scope in there next and report back.
Best,
Ben
