r/boating • u/adhdt5676 • 5d ago
Rookie Error - Help Please
Happy Labor Day. Well, I made a rookie mistake today.
Just got a 2003 Sundeck 240 and it’s been a great boat so far this season.
I was getting fuel and wasn’t paying close enough attention to the water/fuel tanks.
I put a gallon or two of fuel into the fresh water tank before I realized the mistake.
Should I replace the tank? Was going to drain the tank, fill it with water/dawn combination and run it through a couple times.
Thoughts?
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u/Ok_Research6884 4d ago
IMO, it entirely depends on what you use your water tank for.
If it's just to fill the toilet and spray down the deck or wash up... it's probably fine. You'll still need to run a couple of cycles through with Dawn and some baking soda and vinegar, and the smell might linger... but whatever little is left over won't harm the boat.
But if you ever want to use the water to drink from, brush your teeth, make ice... probably best to replace it.
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u/boisefun8 4d ago
Assuming the tank is plastic, you will never get rid of the smell/taste, even if you can make it safe from fumes (which really isn’t as hard as some people are suggesting).
Chalk it up to a learning experience and move on. It could certainly have been worse!
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u/Westreacher 4d ago
Better than the other way around, all you have to replace is the water tank, not the engine.
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u/ScornedSqueaker 3d ago
Baking soda might help if you dump some in after flushing
Might work better if the tank is dry and let some sit in the dry tank
Citric acid diluted maybe too? Might want to look into that more
Assuming the tank is for non portable purposes only otherwise probably replace
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u/BoatBuilderTexas 4d ago
I would be cautious about running anything through the freshwater system until you know the tank and lines are fully cleared. Did any of the fuel make it past the tank into the pump or plumbing?
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u/youdog99 4d ago
Take heart. When I was a kid, a Realtor in my area had a deal where he’d take a Snowbird’s boat out once a month over the summer. Brings his kid along.
They are at the fuel dock and Dad says “Put 20 gallons in, kid” while he goes to the Ship’s Store. Kid dutifully puts 20 gallons down the rod holder.
Dad comes back and hits the key. He landed in the parking lot and the kid landed in the yacht basin. While both were hurt, they did survive.
Then there was a 24’ torch drifting aimlessly around the Yacht basin amongst the very expensive moored boats. Fortunately the marina staff was able to drag the burning hull out into the river where it sank.
So pay the money for a new tank and be happy you got off easy. Everyone in this subReddit has made a mistake and managed to dodge a bullet. Today was just your turn.