Safety issue

Everybody needs to be careful using rubber gas/fuel hose and filters between the fuel pump and the carb. Invariably there are hose clamps used as well. Somewhere along the evolution of Coast Guard and ABYC standards gas hose was outlawed between the pump and carb because in the event of a rupture you have gas under pressure spraying around in the engine compartment. The ruptures can come from a failure of the hose, a loose or substandard hose clamp, a bare metal filter that rusts through, some filters are not designed to be used on the pressurized or output side of the fuel pump, a severe overheat event of the engine could melt the rubber hose, etc, etc. The engine packages sold by Mercruiser, Volvo, PCM, Indmar and others all have to survive a burn test before they can be certified to install in new boats. It has been awhile since I learned the particulars of that test but essentially if there is a fire in the engine room the fuel system has to maintain its integrity for a certain period of time before spilling fuel. I realize we have rubber hose supplying the fuel to the pump but this fuel has a negative/suction pressure, not a positive pressure. Others may dispute my points, that is OK, but you will only see metal fuel lines and components between the pump and carb/fuel injection system on boats now. I am only trying to keep people safe. We've all seen boats that people have incorrectly installed automotive carbs, starters, alternators, distributors, you name it, and it is a small wonder there are not more boat explosions/fires than there are. 2 weekends ago on Lake Lanier, Ga a Wellcraft 34 express blew up at the gas dock sending 3 people to the hospital, 1 had 2nd degree burns. They were actually pretty lucky. Carefully evalute your fuel system from the fuel fill all the way to the intake manifold and check it for leaks as frequently as possible. Sorry to sound like I'm preaching.

Greg