* Roger Long wrote, On 6/1/2007 7:52 PM:
....
I'm thinking that filter changes, in the absence of picking up some problem
fuel, should be a function of the total amount of fuel that flows through
the filter and not an automatic once a year thing. I'd like to know what
experience other sailboat owners have had, recognizing that hotter climates
and fuel from funkier places than Portland, Maine might dictate more
frequent changes.


I have to agree - I've seen more problems from changing fuel filters
than from not changing. I do have Racors in addition to the normal
Yanmar filters, so there's little reason to have dirty fuel, and the
clear bowl lets me see any water or crud, though I don't remember
seeing any in years.

Bleeding shouldn't be an all day task in any case. Last year my
system was drained because I put in a new fuel tank; priming both
engines might have taken 40 minutes. If you friend really wants to
drain the system, and then has a problem bleeding, he should have an
electric pump to facilitate.