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We just purchased a Pursuit OS375 and I have been complaining of fuel fumes in the our cabin when first arriving at the boat on weekends for the last few weeks. It seems to dissapate after opening up the cabin hatches. Unfortunately over the last two weekends we wanted to use the air conditioning and the fuel fumes fill the cabin to the point we can't use the air conditioning.
My poor captain cleaned out every storage area and the forward and aft bilges. Still no change. He could not smell the fumes and was becoming frustrated. We finally contacted where we purchased the boat from and they told us today that Pursuit has issued a formal letter discussing the issue which is to large to attache but in summary reads that because of the types of tanks installed it can cause Fuel Permiation. They are offering to drill holes and add ventilation to resolve this problem.
My MAIN concern on this issue is can these fumes be harmful over time and/or possible explosion.
There were several models of Pursuits listed and I wanted to know if anyone else out there has been through this problem and resolution with Pursuit.
Other models - OS285, OS315, OS345.
you are wise to not use any electrical circuits inside the cabin but there are still other switches that could ignite fumes. I would not use the boat until it is repaired by the manufacturer.
It is a fine boat and the manufacturers are having a tough time handling E10 and other fuels so tanks are now made of plastic.
Other brands don't seem to have this problem. My grady has plastic tanks and no fuel smell makes it to my cabin.
The Venting modification might help but long term solution is to change tanks. No use risking your life and those of others.
Contact a lawyer if you don't get satisfaction from Pursuit.
__________________ Work hard, play harder!
GW 330 Express
We just purchased a Pursuit OS375 and I have been complaining of fuel fumes in the our cabin when first arriving at the boat on weekends for the last few weeks. It seems to dissapate after opening up the cabin hatches. Unfortunately over the last two weekends we wanted to use the air conditioning and the fuel fumes fill the cabin to the point we can't use the air conditioning.
My poor captain cleaned out every storage area and the forward and aft bilges. Still no change. He could not smell the fumes and was becoming frustrated. We finally contacted where we purchased the boat from and they told us today that Pursuit has issued a formal letter discussing the issue which is to large to attache but in summary reads that because of the types of tanks installed it can cause Fuel Permiation. They are offering to drill holes and add ventilation to resolve this problem.
My MAIN concern on this issue is can these fumes be harmful over time and/or possible explosion.
There were several models of Pursuits listed and I wanted to know if anyone else out there has been through this problem and resolution with Pursuit.
Other models - OS285, OS315, OS345.
That's pretty scary, a searay blew in Tampa a couple months ago, severely injuring 11 people.....authorities are thinking ethanol caused a fuel leak, and then there was some sort of spark..... I would be cautious with any fuel forms, I've personally seen 3 boats burn due to fuel fumes in the bilge....though all were inboards....but you have a generator too....
be careful...scary stuff.
I took delivery of my 375 in Jan. I have been complaining persistently to my dealer who sold me the boat and now to the new dealer in my area to no avail. Finally, after meeting Pursuit management 6 or 7 weeks ago at an event, the problem was admitted too but with little detail. I'm completely shocked that Pursuit was not aggressive in remediating this problem. When gasoline fumes in an enclosed space are involved, I would have expected a certified letter from management to every owner stating that they should have the vent kit installed immediately.
__________________ Pursuit OS 375
Blazer Bay 2420
Stauterbuilt 14 1/2
I would be very upset with this issue, if your a member of Boat US you might want to contact them. I have been on several 28' Southport center console's with the same issue. Poly fuel tanks have there draw backs.
__________________ why is a mouse when it's spinning
WOW " . My os335 pursuit has been back at the factory for 2 months be cause the thru hull for the generator was below the water line and the loop was not high enough also my masserator thru hull was under water and pushing water into the fish box . They fix these but said they weren't going to do a recall ? They were going to bring my boat back this week , but they still haven't fixed the problem with several of my thru hull fittings are still below the water line . The thru hulls in the transom lets about 40 gals. of water to sit in the splash well all the time when it sit in water . My manual states " all thru hull fittings shall drain by gravity over board ABOVE THE WATERLINE " . I am going to be calling a lawyer now and see where i stand with this problem . My problem is bad but i think yours is worse .
As of 8/3/09
To resolve the "fuel permeation" issue (fuel odor) Pursuit has delivered vents to eliviate the initial odor that resides in the cabin area over time with all hatches closed. These were installed by our local boat service and seems to have somewhat helped this scendario.
To resolve the issue when fuel odor is coming right from the air conditioning vent when turned on, Pursuit sent instructions to our service departement to seal certain areas. The fuel odor is still coming out of the vents.
The representative that I am working with from Pursuit has escalated the issue and will report back. In the meantime Pursuit is telling me they have done everything they can do.
We are currently living on the boat and when we run the air conditioning (this weekend it was 93 degrees) we leave all the hatches and door open, we have no choice. The real issue comes to play when it is raining. No air conditioning and all hatches and doors closed. I challenge someone from Pursuit to live on our boat for a weekend with their spouse, family with these conditions and then say there is nothing we can do. I am still hopeful that Pursuit will resolve this issue and I will report on the progress.
In the meantime I am still hoping to hear from other boaters to comment on this issue. Thanks in advance for your comments.
I have the same annoyance on a smaller boat. Has anyone investigated whether there is available a coating of some sort that could be applied to a plastic tank that would seal off the transmission of the fumes?
As SF145 noted this issue of poly tanks is noticeable on smaller boats as well. On our Tidewater, I can smell gas fumes inside the center console when I have to stick my head in their to do any work.
SF145 or Onewolf, to date do you know if anyone has tried to resolve the issue with Pursuit and how did it go.
SF145, Pursuit told me the this issue was resolved with the OS375 2010 model because they lined the tanks. But it is an inner liner. They told me that was not an option for me for the 2009 model.
I am pretty shocked at all this bad pr for Pursuit. I have been away from the brand for a couple years now, former owner of a 3070, and would expect more from them. This is just not acceptable. They better get their act together. Gas fumes is a serious deal as is thru hull fitting below the waterline. They had a very good name and these types of issues will change that quickly.
Do a web search on "fuel permeation", "EPA", and "tank". You will find some interresting information. Apparently, the country of California has passed regulations concerning permeation from fuel tanks and tank manufacturers are trying to find construction methods and materials to meet these regulations.
It's possible that some government agency could be of help to get the problem with these boats solved. And venting the fumes to the outside is not the solution they will be looking for.
I mentioned to poly tank/fuel odor issue to the mechanic where I purchased my boat ( I confirmed I have aluminum tanks). Here is his response:
"yes, poly tanks seem to allow vapors out - we have had the fire department check compartments with their volatile fume detector and have found that even when you can smell gasoline the fumes are not concentrated enough to be flammable. Explaining this to a concerned customer is another matter all together"
__________________ Cincinnati, OH
Boston Whaler 305 Conquest
I had a similar problem on my boat and actually purchased a fume detector for about $120. It sounds an alarm if there are fumes that amount to a fraction of what could actually be flammable. It's worth the investment to ensure your safety and gives you piece of mind. http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=1196773
8/27/09 Update on Pursuit OS375
Last week a representative from Pursuit flew in from Florida on Wednesday afternoon, worked on the boat, stayed overnite and then finished on Thursday. He had sent parts and tools directly to our Marina for the job. He removed the panel on the port side of the cabin aft of the AC main distribution panel. He sealed the area.
Unfortunately this fix maybe eliminated the odor by 10%. We just took the boat out on the Chesapeake for a 5 day tour and had to sleep at night with all the hatches open with the air on, but when it rains it is ridiculously uncomfortable. The odors are still overwhelming. The only relief is when the air is off or when the air is on but the boat is moving so fresh air is circulating.
Pursuit realizes this still has not fixed the problem and we have been told they are trying to design a casing that will go over the entire air conditioning unit so the only air being pumped out from the AC will be through the cabin and not where the engines are stored. They will keep us posted.
It seems the only real resolution is in the 2010 where the design is different from 2009 and they lined the gas tanks.
Anyone else out there with fuel odor updates on their Pursuit or other model boats?
Don't laugh - it was on our Seafox 28 cc. We finally discovered when the odor was very strong that our problem was in the filler hose to the tank. Someone at the factory put a screw right through the hose during building. The odor didn't become obvious until we had the boat for about a year and the screw wallowed out a good size hole in the hose. The screw and the hose were not visible until we removed part of the fiberglass in the floor.
Nope, we don't have the Seafox anymore. We got rid of it and bought a convertible with diesels.
I don't know what it would cost to replace your tanks but it might be something to consider. Good luck.
8...........Pursuit realizes this still has not fixed the problem and we have been told they are trying to design a casing that will go over the entire air conditioning unit so the only air being pumped out from the AC will be through the cabin and not where the engines are stored.
If the AC can pick up air from the bilge or engine compartment, this is a serious design flaw. They shouldn't have to design a "casing" this should already have been incorporated into the design of the boat.
If you had an actual fuel leak, explosive vapors would fill the cabin and a spark or lit match or cigarette would cause an explosion.
The way you describe it, this sounds like a boat designed and built by some guy in his backyard, not one designed and built by an established, respected company.
How about telling Pursuit to replace the poly tanks with aluminum, or new lined tanks? There is no way to live in a cabin that stinks of gas fumes. While it may not be a safety issue it does prevent you from using it as was intended.
My 2004 3070 Express had a strong gas smell in the cabin (much more noticeable when it was closed and the AC on), but we felt it was due to the fact that we stored the portable Honda generator inside. We now store the generator elsewhere, and two months later and many detailings/washing of the interior fabrics, we still have some gas smell in the cabin. Not sure if its due to the generator, or if in fact we have an issue similar to the newer boats. Now the smell is a lot less, but its still there and noticeable only when the cabin is closed and the AC is on. Hopefully I don't have a similar situation to the Seafox mentioned above.
Pursuit OS375 - Fuel fumes in cabin 
