I recently had a problem which I think is related to the pickup tube in the fuel tank. I have a 1991 Hunter 37.5 Legend. In heavy seas and high winds and rocky surroundings, my engine started to slow down intermittently from 3000 rpm to 2000 or so for a few seconds to 30 seconds on occasion. I figure that I had about 8 gallons of fuel in the 35 galllon tank and I added another 5 from my spare tank (not a simple task given the circumstances). This seemed to help a little but did not completely stop the problem. I changed the fuel filters (they seemed ok) at the next fuel dock and filled the tank and had no further problem in the much calmer areas where I proceeded to go. Since returning, I have emptied the tank and removed the tube and looked inside. The tank seems clean and the filters seem ok. The tube is straight aluminum (no screen) and is cut off about one inch from the bottom of the tank leaving about 3 gallons of fuel when the fuel pump sucks air. Questions: 1. Am I analyzing the problem correctly or am I missing something? 2. Should I lengthen the tube so that it is closer to the bottom of the tank? 3. Is there some other solution such as a flexible weighted pickup? 4. Would baffles help and can I install them? 5. Should I add an inspection plate for access and cleaning? If so, what kind - plastic or metal? 6. Would a big filter serve as a sort of an accumulator tank? Tanks in advance for all replies. Patrick