Deck Fill Cap - lanyards/chains

sunlover

sunlover

.
Jun 20, 2021
165
Beneteau 343 Fort Lauderdale
The previous owner snapped every one of the chains that keeps the filler caps from disappearing. Even the diesel fill cap is in danger of swimming with the fish.

It looks like I could buy new fill caps with a chain. Or, buy new fill assemblies. Any ideas here?

Also, how do you attach the chain to the bottom portion? See pic. Is that normal?
 

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dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,837
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Attaching the chain would require removing the fitting to access the screw. Which would be a PITA unless it was time to rebed the fitting.

Considerably more important than the chain and frequently neglected is the O-ring that seals the cap. These rot in time and will leak. The last thing you want in your fuel tank or fresh water is water and especially sea water. The holding tank, meh, it just fills a little quicker.

Most of mine are broken, I don't plan on replacing them. The one for the holding tank gets in the way of the pump out fitting, so it has to go.
 
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sunlover

sunlover

.
Jun 20, 2021
165
Beneteau 343 Fort Lauderdale
dlochner said:
Attaching the chain would require removing the fitting to access the screw. Which would be a PITA unless it was time to rebed the fitting.

Considerably more important than the chain and frequently neglected is the O-ring that seals the cap. These rot in time and will leak. The last thing you want in your fuel tank or fresh water is water and especially sea water. The holding tank, meh, it just fills a little quicker.

Most of mine are broken, I don't plan on replacing them. The one for the holding tank gets in the way of the pump out fitting, so it has to go.
Click to expand
Sounds about right.

I did find these: https://www.amazon.com/Danco-80039-Stopper-Stainless-Replacement/dp/B000FK9SLM?th=1
Cheaper to buy the stopper w/ the chain.

I do have one fill cap that isn't connected. And, the tank is missing a hose, so could spill out in a roll. I was filling the tank and then decided to stop until I got that fixed.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,837
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
sunlover said:
Sounds about right.

I did find these: https://www.amazon.com/Danco-80039-Stopper-Stainless-Replacement/dp/B000FK9SLM?th=1
Cheaper to buy the stopper w/ the chain.

I do have one fill cap that isn't connected. And, the tank is missing a hose, so could spill out in a roll. I was filling the tank and then decided to stop until I got that fixed.
Click to expand
The missing hose is far more important! I'm assuming it is the vent hose. That will just let diesel vapors invade the cabin.
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

.
Jan 4, 2006
7,231
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
dlochner said:
Considerably more important than the chain and frequently neglected is the O-ring that seals the cap. These rot in time and will leak. The last thing you want in your fuel tank or fresh water is water and especially sea water.
Click to expand
I smear mine with SuperLube every few years to keep them alive. Same applies to port and hatch gaskets. Still like new after 20+ years. Still looking for gaskets I haven't smeared yet.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,016
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Calif. Ted said:
I have some of each and frankly those chains are so unreliable I feel better with the cap in my pocket while filling a tank.
Click to expand
One of the very first things I learned when I first my first boat with fill tanks was just this. ^^^^

The very best thing you can do is cut all of those chains off and put the caps somewhere safe, 'cuz at the end of one of those chains just ain't it! :)
 
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dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,837
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Stu Jackson said:
The very best thing you can do is cut all of those chains off and put the caps somewhere safe, 'cuz at the end of one of those chains just ain't it! :)
Click to expand
Second Star has a nice tall toe rail near the fill caps. When the caps are removed they are set upside down on the deck and slide out of the way. The caps never rise above the toe rail. The further the caps are taken from their location, the more opportunities they have to find some new home. And never let them see the water, they might decide to go for a swim.
 
sunlover

sunlover

.
Jun 20, 2021
165
Beneteau 343 Fort Lauderdale
it's a water fill. At one time, I filled and filled it and then started to wonder. I looked in the cabin and the floor boards were floating. I slushed my way to the panel and flipped the sump to auto.
 
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D

dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,837
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
sunlover said:
it's a water fill. At one time, I filled and filled it and then started to wonder. I looked in the cabin and the floor boards were floating. I slushed my way to the panel and flipped the sump to auto.
Click to expand
Good that it wasn't diesel!

One of our water tanks is long and low. If we fill from the fill cap the water will run out the inspection port and flood the cabin floor. It is easier to drag the hose down into the cabin and fill the tank from the inspection port. Less messy too.
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

.
Jan 4, 2006
7,231
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
sunlover said:
At one time, I filled and filled it and then started to wonder. I looked in the cabin and the floor boards were floating.
Click to expand
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat ?

That explains WHERE it went but it doesn't explain HOW it went. Open drain, missing hose, .................... do share.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,971
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Sunlover, There is a corollary to your strategy...

"If it is not broken, don't try to fix it."
 
jviss

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
On mine, the chains get in the way on both diesel and waste; waste would be impossible to vacuum out with the chain in place, and I found the chain on the diesel fill a pain with the diesel nozzle. On the water - eh, never had an issue. I guess I should buy a spare cap or two, just in case, and replace all of those O-rings.
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

.
Jan 4, 2006
7,231
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
jssailem said:
"If it is not broken, don't try to fix it."
Click to expand
But @sunlover now suspects his entire boat to be broken

sunlover said:
I've adopted the strategy that if I haven't checked it out, then assume it is broken.
Click to expand
Is he now doomed to do an entire boat inspection, stem to stern, every time he boards his boat:laugh: ? Every weekend will be spent inspecting his boat to ensure nothing is broken before collecting the courage to take it out:facepalm:.

Surely a fate worse than death :yikes: !
 
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