2005 fiesta 270 leans/ lists to port

laureniac1

My 2005 fiesta 270 leans to port. I filled my water tank and it evened out a little. I am not a fan of carrying all the extra water weight, but need the weight to even out. Anyone else have this problem? Suggestion? Would like to loose the extra weight. Also, heavy gas/ fuel vapor smell when I first get in boat. Both cabin area and deck . Appears to be no fuel leaks. Any suggestions

laureniac1

I meant to leans to starboard (right) oops

Black_Diamond

Urgent #1: fix the gas smell. It's a disaster in the making. Start simple: fuel connections at engines, filters, water seperators, valves. Then your gas filler lines and vents, be thorough.. Then check your tank. Follow your nose after well venting it. Be safe!

frenchship

Gas smell be really careful it is a serous thing. You need to find the source even before starting the engine.

laureniac1

It's not crazy and I do NOT start boat until fume free. Will continue to investigate thanks .

Michael T

With a gas smell you should not start engines or do anything that might create a spark. As we all agree, a gas smell on a boat is - as BD says #1 Urgent! MT

RussRuss

Yep - exact same boat with exact same lean.  I keep the turd tank empty as possible and fresh water tank pretty full and it is still is not quite level.  Nothing obvious to do to fix that I can see, and moving batteries is not worth the effort.  So unless I am missing something, "big guys sit over there"

MarkB

As everyone else is saying, do not start the boat with those gas smells. It's only a matter of time before it ignites and there will be disaster.  You need to find that fuel leak.  I had a similar issue, mine was leaking out of the top of my fuel sending unit (it wasn't sealed well). The sending unit is on a flange on top of the gas tank.  It may be leaking only a tiny amount, but it doesn't take much to make a lot of fumes.

Have a look around that flange to see if it is leaking. It may be only a thin slick down the side of the tank. The gasket on it's own is not good enough to seal this. My mechanic had to put a special fuel resistant caulking/paste around the gasket and through the screw holes.

As for the listing - yes on boats with an 8.5 ft beam that's what you get.  The battery locations make a huge difference, as well as where your FULL fridge is, and what level your water and waste tanks are at. Mine lists to port side - because both my batteries are on that side, as well as my full water tank, and full fridges/cooler bags, and my empty waste tank is on starboard.  I've been thinking of moving my batteries to starboard to counter-balance - but that is too much work - lol.  I will live with my list.

 

TikiHut2

Don't underestimate the issue of fumes migrating throughout the boat and becoming an ignition point far beyond the engine compartment which IS NOT SEALED OFF FROM THE CABIN and an endless supply of other sparks.

Our 270 fuel tank failed after only 6yrs (and apparently it wasnt an isolated issue) that Rinker participated in repairing so while I hope for a simple solution don't be too quick to think its resolved. There is no higher danger onboard than raw fuel vapor. Good luck. Mike

JoeStang

My 276 seems to lean a bit to starboard especially when the water tank is empty, and its got a 9'1" beam.

I would think the batteries would affect the lean some, but I'll bet the weight on one side more forward would have a greater affect on the lean. It seems a common problem for most boats regardless of brand, so a bad of sand or water may be the only semi permanent fix. Do you have trim tabs, because I can get my lean resolved with just a touch of extra tab on that side.

laureniac1

Thank everyone for the comments. Going down in morning to check out boat. Will keep you posted. Thanks so much

laureniac1

Figured out my gas smell. Coming from seal at top of tank. Tank was filled to brim. Went out on lake ran the boat hard to burn off fuel, and no more leak. I will replace gasket this week.

Michael T

Good detectove work. Blower on! MT

rinker312

Glad you figured that out that leak and it looks like an easy fix.  My 312 lists to the starboard side also.  There is just more stuff on that side of the boat.  The cockpit fridge, the head, the cabin fridge, stovetop, etc...  My trim tabs even it out underway.  I don't bother to carry extra water in the holding tank, I'd rather keep things as light as possible for fuel economy and let the tabs do their job.  I once even got a call from the marine because they had never noticed it and thought that something may be wrong. 

JohnnyCake

I had exactly the same fuel vapor problem two years ago on my 2006 FV250.
The sealant of the fuel level sending unit was leaking when the tank was completely full.

laureniac1

Thanks again for the feedback everyone. Anyone ever change that gasket? Looks pretty straight forward

Bruce

Nothing to it, just be sure you use the right gasket/seal and don't use any sealer/silicone. And of course don't use anything that sparks, ie: cordless drill, tighten screws evenly.