www.iFourWinns.com

It appears that I am still figuring out my fuel system on my 2000 Vista 268. After getting to take part in everyone's favorite boating activity, filling up with gas, I think my fuel gage is a bit off. I know I have an 85 gallon tank, and my gage was reading right at 1/4 tank remaining. With a complete fill up the tank took 47 gallons. There could be some margin of error, as I shut off the pump at the first hint of gurgling as I have a hell of a time with spray back from that internal vent if I really try to top it off. Regardless, gage now reads a little above full tank. It appears that I was really closer to half a tank before I filled up rather than quarter tank. My question is, has anyone else run into this? Thanks in advance for you input.

Pac Winn
2000 Vista 268

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

I wouldn't spend too much time trying to figure it out. Boat fuel guages are notoriously inaccurate. Too many variables could come into play (i.e. grade while fueling on a trailer, load balance while fueling on the water, etc.). Personally, I track engine hours on my smartphone (simple spreadsheet app) and calculate out average gallons per hour. I rarely get into a situation where fuel level is a concern with my style of boating. But if I am running low, I would much rather trust my gallons left based on hours burned since my last fueling instead of solely relying on the fuel guage.

That's just my 2 cents. As an FYI, I do the same using the trip odometer on my truck and motorcycle rather than trusting the guages in them.

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2005 FW Horizon 250
8.1L VP DP

"YEP"

Thanks guys, that is what I figured, and have been trying to keep good records of my running hours. My buddy had given me some water proof notebooks he used in the Marines that I was using as log books, but I like the idea of using my phone to track that. Anyone know of any good boating apps for tracking hours? Thanks again for all you input.

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

Don't know about others experience, but ALL of the gauges my 248 *suck*. Very sticky and inaccurate.

It's on my list to replace all of them.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

+1

The speedo sucking is a given, the other day my tach stuck at 4000rpm had to smack it pretty good to get it to drop, Voltmeter is about 1.5 volts off, oil pressure gauge jumps all over the place (bad sender probably), temp gauge seems OK. Fuel gauge is always moving but its petty close when it reads 1/2 a tank sitting still. I use the fuel flow meter in my GPS to avoid the blowback at fillup, if you arent careful when filling it it will blow quite a bit out the filler when the pump shuts off. DNR tells the kids at the fuel dock to call them if ANY gas hits the water and report it, luckily they dont but my bet is one day they will. The fuel flow meter is pretty dead on, its nice to pull into the gas dock and and say give me 37.2 gallons and know its full without making a mess.

Every boat I ever had the fuel gauges sucked though and this one is not much different ('full' on the gauge is nowhere near being full), takes a while to figure it out.

I have also noticed that my gages are all over the place. That is what I was afraid of, not knowing if my tank was actually full without shooting gas all over the marina. I have been wanting to put a fuel flow meter in my boat, but want one that is connected to my gps. My current gps unit doesnt accomodate a flow meter, so in the short term I might be just guessing on fuel use rate and tank levels.

One of the local fuel docks I fill up called the Coast Guard after the fuel dock attendant sprayed about 2 cups of fuel out my vent. I was a little upset that after I told the guy how sensitive the vent was, and about how many gallons I needed, he still reported me for his mistake. I always tip the guys well too. Long story short, I never got a ticket in the mail, but I dont go to that dock anymore. I just prefer to pump my own gas now and maybe not top the tank completely off. Just wish I knew how much fuel I had in the tank....

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Pac Winn

First Boat:
2000 Vista 268

I guess it depends on what part of the country you are in. Some marinas don't care if you spill a little gas. Some do.

I wrap a rag around the nozzle when filling up so that it catches the overflow. It's not perfect, but it's simple, better than nothing and doesn't require any additional expense.

Craig C.

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2003 Vista 248, VP 5.0 GXi-C, DP

They are supposed to report it (and you) here if it spills but they seldom do. Sometimes the DNR guys sit at the fuel dock (its right across from my slip) and watch for it. I have seen some big diesel boats spill a lot into the water and the sheen is there for days, same with gasoline boats. I saw a guy do an oil change right in his slip and dump the contents of the oil filters right in the water. Its a shame that everyone has to pay for what stupid people do but thats just how it is these days. Not to mention the pumps at the dock are used to fill big boats, they have two speeds, off and full blast (like a diesel truck pump) so that makes it even more tricky to not make a mess.

Fuel flow meter is nice but its not perfect, if the boas sits a lot some will evaporate and at low throttle/idle its not super accurate. But its better than keeping logs since you cant forget to write something down, if the GPS is powered up its working. Since the fuel flow meter is tied into the fuel sender if things get too far off you can recalibrate the level on the fly, it takes a while to calibrate it though and it you will need to fill it to top once. But it does take a lot of stress out of it when when the DNR guys are at the fuel dock and you pull in wanting to get close to a full tank.

Someday the folks that fabricate tanks will install a site glass (like some old kerosene fuel tanks or industrial coffee urns have) for at least a visual clue. Don't think it would be that hard.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

If you have problems with fuel blowback when filling, look into installing a fuel whistle. Goes inline on the vent hose. Takes about 10 minutes to install. Works like a champ. Even the fuel dock attendants appreciate it as it helps prevent another application of gas cologne.

http://www.greenmarineproducts.com/products.html

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2001 268 Vista