Boat quits running on half tank of fuel.

[soopd]

I just purchased a 1988 Astroglass 178v.  The previous owner told me the gas gauge on the tank and on the dash work but it is empty at half tank.  The other day it happened, my gauge was showing half tank and the boat died.  I had a friend bring me 3 gallons of gas so I could make it back to the ramp.   

On my next outing I was just going to fill up the tank and it would only hold 11 gallons of fuel.  So I asked my fishing partner and he told me the tanks in the bass boats are at least 20+ gallons. 

I found a plate on my tank and it said 25 gallon capacity.  So I am thinking the the gauge is correct it is just not picking up the bottom half of gas. 

Any suggestions on what could be going on.

Thanks

[bass or bass ?]

The pickup in your tank should only be @ 1/2" off the bottom. It's permanently mounted there at the end of a tube that is where the fuel is drawn up..Check to make sure it hasn't broken off at the top of the tank and just flopping around kind of hanging sideways in the tank. Otherwise my only other guess is that your fuel system is not holding pressure as fuel is consumed. Check all fuel lines and connections for leaks. Replacing the primer bulb is cheap. Fuel pump rebuild?

Also, go to iboats.com with your question. Very helpful knowledgeable people there.

[Way2slow]

I luv it when about 1/2 of the people that post  questions are refered to another site for help.  I guess that means we have a bunch of idiots on here that can't help a person with a simple problem.

Granted, their are sites that can offer better help with the highly technical aspects of certain motors/problems better, but an aparent simple fuel pickup problem and he's told to go elswhere.

[Grey Wolf]

I luv it when about 1/2 of the people that post questions are refered to another site for help. I guess that means we have a bunch of idiots on here that can't help a person with a simple problem.

Granted, their are sites that can offer better help with the highly technical aspects of certain motors/problems better, but an aparent simple fuel pickup problem and he's told to go elswhere.

Do you have an answer for his problem ?

[Way2slow]

Yea, I know of several things that can cause the problem, the obvious in tank pickup has already be mentioned but I'm already turned off from wanting to get involved in this post.

[soopd]

Thanks for the reply about the pickup.  That is what I was thinking.  I took the top part of the plate off where the fuel comes from but I could not get it out to inspect the pickup line.  I had too much gas in the tank to get a good look at it.  I will investigate after I run the tank down to half again. 

[bass or bass ?]

I luv it when about 1/2 of the people that post questions are refered to another site for help. I guess that means we have a bunch of idiots on here that can't help a person with a simple problem.

Granted, their are sites that can offer better help with the highly technical aspects of certain motors/problems better, but an aparent simple fuel pickup problem and he's told to go elswhere.

Didn't I offer my suggestions before refering him to a site with THE most well informed boating experts I know of?

Why not be as quick with helpful advice as you are with the scathing criticism?