Draining fuel tank

[LearningToFishIHope]

I have a 17' Triton aluminum boat that I would like to replace the fuel in..Was told the easiest way was to remove the sending unit from the top of the tank and pump it out..This is my first boat and I have no experience  with boats ..Was I told correctly or is there a better way or any reason for me not to do it this way?  

[BassnChris]

I disconnect the fuel primer bulb on the engine side of the bulb and use another piece of fuel line and pump out the fuel that way. Kind of slow but gets it done.

[LearningToFishIHope]

I think I may just do that..thanks

[Kevin22]

Should be able to siphon it, ive done it with a ranger before. Easiest way is out the fuel line. 

[Al Wolbach]

15 hours ago, BassnChris said:

I disconnect the fuel primer bulb on the engine side of the bulb and use another piece of fuel line and pump out the fuel that way. Kind of slow but gets it done.

This will get the job done but it only pumps a couple of oz at a squeeze. If you have several gallons to pump you will be there a while, not to mention hand cramps. Through the sending unit hole with a siphon hose would be much faster because you can use a larger hose. The sending unit only has about 6 nuts to remove and replace when done. 

[BassnChris]

2 minutes ago, Al Wolbach said:

This will get the job done but it only pumps a couple of oz at a squeeze. If you have several gallons to pump you will be there a while, not to mention hand cramps. Through the sending unit hole with a siphon hose would be much faster because you can use a larger hose. The sending unit only has about 6 nuts to remove and replace when done.

my experience is with a few squeezes.....I get the fuel flowing and it continues with a siphoning action. I actually empty my tank at the end of every season this way....into a 5 gal fuel can and use vise grips to pinch the temp line when the can gets full....I empty the can into the car or truck tank and then put the hose back in the can and release the vise grips and the flow continues.....I do this until the tank is empty.

It is slow...only so much fuel will flow through the fuel line

[S Hovanec]

17 hours ago, BassnChris said:

I disconnect the fuel primer bulb on the engine side of the bulb and use another piece of fuel line and pump out the fuel that way. Kind of slow but gets it done.

This is what I do every fall.  A couple pumps of the bulb and gravity takes over.  I use the gas in my truck.

[LearningToFishIHope]

Thanks!

[Al Wolbach]

5 hours ago, BassnChris said:

my experience is with a few squeezes.....I get the fuel flowing and it continues with a siphoning action. I actually empty my tank at the end of every season this way....into a 5 gal fuel can and use vise grips to pinch the temp line when the can gets full....I empty the can into the car or truck tank and then put the hose back in the can and release the vise grips and the flow continues.....I do this until the tank is empty.

It is slow...only so much fuel will flow through the fuel line

I bow to experience. I have never tried it and it shows. Thanks for the info...