From Heated Garage to a cover and storing outside.

This is my first “BIG” boat, I stepped up from my 14′ flat for fishing and bought a 2004 1700 Explorer. I am having a cover made for it, and presently it is in my heated garage. Once cover is made it will have to go outside. I have 2 batteries for my bow mount that are on a charger, and of course the battery in the back for the big motor. I fish out of the boat year round and was wondering if you guys are taking your batteries in and out every time you go fishing? Can I leave the batteries on the charger plugged in (outdoors) and not worry about them and just take out the motor battery? Can I leave them all in, or is it best to take all 3 out every time? Wondering what everybody does? Also, do I have to worry about water in the lines for the livewells, or does it drain out well enough on its own? I have also noticed a strong smell of gas when I open up any of my storage compartments, is this normal? I leave them open while in my garage and don’t smell anything, but if I close them for a couple days you can really smell it when you open them.

Blackduck,

Congradulations on your new purchase. I’m sure you’ll have many years of excitement with your new rig…

As far as the batteries go….if you have an onboard charger you should be able to leave the batteries in the boat with the charger plugged in…I have done that this year(first time trying it)

If you run your rig in the winter months and have worries of your live well lines freezing up there are two things you can do….1 is take a air hose and blow out your lines and the other is to run some biodegradeable antifreeze thru them…I haven’t done either and i just deal with the live well not working some times…

As far as the gas smell goes…check with the boat dealer…he may have some insite on this problem…A while back i remember someone talking about the Lunds having a problem with the gas smell in their boats , maybe someone can help out on that one…

Good Luck !! And Enjoy !!

Post deleted by river rat

A strong gas odor should not be present normally. Some Lund Explorers have a Gasket problem and it’s on recall. I’m not sure about that model but do like Dave (ecnook) suggested and check with your dealer.

Good luck with the new rig!

A Shop Vac works excellent for draining livewell and bilge lines. Just pu the vac on the outlets holes and it will suck the water out. Just make sure to have the plugs out first.

Gator Hunter

I like that idea Gator Hunter

Eric,

when it comes time to replace those batteries take a look at OPTIMA batteries they are 100 percent maintenance free, you can leave them in the boat year round and you do not have to worry about them freezing up on you.

Which brand of batteries

I also have on board chargers and leave them on 24/7, this really helps prolongs the life of the battery.

BD I have an ’01 Angler SS with the same compartment gas smell. If you find out anything on this..please post. I’ll do the same.
I think it’s stong enough to be concered about..at least on my boat.

Gas Smell,

If your boat is inside, just pull up the floor and take a look around. Tighten all the fittings and clamps on the tank. Look for any pools of gas on the bottom of the boat, bad gasket on sending unit, or cracks/holes in the hoses. It is about a 1-hour job with an electric screw driver. Your dealer may do this for a few coins.

Dave Gulczinski

If you dump five gallons of water into your boat then collect it as it pours out the drain you’ll be able to see gas mixed with the water if you have a problem under the floor.

Gator Hunter

Blackduck,
Bought a 2003 Angler SS last year and in September 2003 received the recall verification form from Lund. It basically states that the gasket sealing the fuel sender to the fuel tank on your boat may be manufactured of insufficient materials to ensure durability and long-term resistance to gasoline. This condition may cause the gasket to become soft and supple over time and allow fuel to leak. About 1% of Lund boats have experienced a gasket failure. They basically said to remove the access cover in the splash pan at transom and observe for: 1) fuel in bilge area 2)film coat from fuel in bilge area 3) unusually strong fuel odor…..if any of these 3 are present don’t use the boat and take it in for inspection or replacement. They also said not to fill the tank more than half full till the gasket has been inspected.
My boat has an unusual fuel smell when opening the storage compartments but not in the bilge area. I am taking my boat into the dealer prior to March. Lunds phone #: 218-385-2235
Let you know what happens!

Just talked with my dealers service department regarding the petroleum smell from the storage compartments and he indicated that it is from the petroleum based caulks and adhesives used. He said it will go away but to create a catalyst to expediate the problem, on a sunny day just pull the boat outside(leave outside for the day) and open all the compartment lids. It sounds like the leaky gasket is on 2003 models, but to make sure call your dealer or Lund.

And just what if your dealer is wrong and you do have a gas leak? It could endanger your live and anyone in your boat/garage/home if it catches on fire. Gas fumes can be extremely dangerous – just about any kind of spark from a motor/switch/charger can cause an explosion! I would think a “good” dealer would check it out before saying over the phone “it is from the petroleum based caulks and adhesives used”.

Maybe I am a bit paranoid as my next-door neighbor died when his house caught on fire. Since then, I have put 8 smoke detectors and a CO detector in my small house. If you ever inhaled the smoke from a house fire you would understand why I am concerned about gas fumes in a boat. I got a lung full of that toxic smoke trying to save my neighbor and it is something I will never forget.

Dave Gulczinski

Hey Dave, thanks for the concern! Just trying to give Blackduck the rundown on the gasket recall situation for 2003 Lund boats. In my first post I wrote the same checks that Lund wanted from thier recall and advised to speak with Lund or the dealer. My second post indicated the recall was on a few 2003 boats for the leaky gasket, but to contact Lund or the dealer anyway. My dealers service has been exceptional and did indicate to me to bring it in to be looked at(in which I will be doing prior to March)but did indicate that if nothing is found to be leaking it has been in there experience just the caulk and adhesive smells. Sorry if anyone took what I wrote as to ignore the problem and assume it is a simple fix by putting it outside for a day. Yes, if you find any of the gas leak indicators as indicated in my first post take it in before use.

Good points guys. Do have it checked to be safe, please.

Thanks much guys!!! My boat is having the cover put on it right now, and I won’t be seeing it for at least a week, so I will call my dealer and find out what is going on.

Just picked up my boat after having the gasket for the fuel sender and the float for the fuel sender replaced. The old gasket was fine but Lund is replacing all of the gaskets that were made during a certain time period and manufacture.
Ready to hit Red Wing!

Paul – I’ve gotta get my Lund in to the shop to have that gasket replaced too. Anyone else who purchased a Lund Explorer last year shoud check with you dealer to see if you need to replace the fuel sender gasket.