Hunter 25 gas smell

[Randy Burns]

I am the owner of a 76 Hunter 25. This boat is outboard powered, with fuel storage under the cockpit seating. There is a bulkhead of sorts between the cabin and cockpit, made of plywood, but it is open at the top to the cabin, also around the water storage bag. As a result you get a faint gas oder in the cabin, which some people are sensitive to (ie,my wife). My questions are: is this the way they all were built, and if so can anyone see any problem with closing this off? I use a Honda tank and hose, different than the old style but seems tight.

 

[L and W]

Same arrangement, but...

Our gas storage is in the same place as yours, under the aft cockpit seat. We also have a fabric-covered bulkhead (really just a separator) between the cabin and the spaces under the cockpit floor. Even though there are many openings between the cockpit and the cabin, we have never noticed a gasoline smell. Are you leaving the gas tank vent open at all times? Is there anything preventing airflow out of the aft lazarette (maybe a gasket that was added to the hinged seat)?

 

[John Allison]

A Universal Problem

I have a 1979 h25 and, apparently, they all have the same problem (at least the outboard powered models). However, unless there is a leak somewhere, this should not become a problem until the tank vent is open. Thus, keep the vent shut, unless the motor is in use. Also, I have two large vents mounted in the aft corners of the aft lazaret: a hose is attached to both vents one leading into the bilge area; the other is attached to a bilge blower pulling air from a low point in the bilge and forcing it out that vent. This is very similar to the bilge ventilation systems used on power boats. I generally open the gas tank vent prior to starting a day sail and depending on how long I will be out do not close it until the end of the day. If it is going to be a long sail, however, the vent is closed when the motor is lifted clear of the water. In either case, the blower will clear any trace of odor out of the cabin.

 

[Randy Burns]

Thanks for the advise

I'll be more carefull with the tank vent and see how that goes. I like the fan idea, and think I will add at least add another aft vent next season. The bilges hadn't been cleaned in a long, long time when I bought the boat a few seasons ago, Ive cleaned it since I bought it, but maybe a good scrubbing with a detergent would also help.