Hello Capt. Neal,

It is in a sail boat but like most sail boats it's size there are auxiliary
engines. But I will try a motor boat forum to get a few more opinions.
Thanks for the idea!

In the past with my old, small sailboat I would pick up my mooring under
sail at times. Why bother to start the engine when you do not need to and I
did enjoy the challenge. Now I keep my new to me boat at my dock and I have
found it very hard to dock under sail. Maybe you can give me a few
pointers? I will say I love the handling under power with the wide spaced
twin engines. Kind of makes me feel like I am cheating.

Mark


"Capt. Neal®" wrote in message
...
I have to wonder what this discussion has to do with sailing.

May I suggest taking it to a motor boat forum.

Thank you for your consideration of those of us who
wish to discuss sailing here on this sailing forum..

Capt. Neal


"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
plugster wrote:
The diesel fuel tank on my boat is in the center of my boat just
forward of
the mast and the engines are in the back so the fuel lines pass
through the
cabin. There are no fuel leaks, the lines are made from a gray rubber
and
smell strongly of the diesel fuel. The boat is 6 years old.

I'd bet the fuel lines are not an ABS-ABYC approved type for fuel.
Proper fuel line is expensive, but it lasts considerably more than 6
years.

... The runs are
about 45 feet and they do a fair amount of twists and turns. I am
thinking
about replacing them with soft metal tubing, maybe copper (Home Depot
water
tubing) or 3003-0 aluminum (aircraft grade fuel line).

Don't use aluminum on a boat. It corrodes far too quickly and is more
difficult to make up joints. Ask me how I know!

Refrigeration grade copper tubing (type L or M IIRC but check the specs)
is acceptable as fuel line... but it's difficult to install properly.
Unless you can rip out all obstacles, you have to snake it into place
and then mount it properly (it will work harden with vibration, and then
leak no matter what) and make up the terminal connections. This takes a
lot of time and careful work.


...Of course I will
leave a short flexible part near the engine for vibration.

You might as well go with the more expensive fuel hose for the whole
run. I'd recommend that, and I just did a somewhat shorter simpler job
on our trawler this past spring. Of course I work with tubing (HP air &
hydraulics, among other things) almost daily so the joint connections
were not a problem.

It'll cost more in dollars for material but take far less time & trouble
to install, and will be far less likely to leak due to bad joining.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King