Fuel tank construction for watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft has a number of fuel tank-related structures that are designed to either limit the inflow of water into the fuel tank or to enable the removal of water from the fuel tank. A water pool is formed in a portion of the fuel tank with a hose-accepting opening positioned above the water pool such that a siphon can be use to periodically remove water from the fuel supply. An embedded fastener construction also is used to limit the number of openings between the inside and outside of the fuel tank that would need to be sealed to prevent water inflow. A water repellant filter also is used to reduce the likelihood that water can enter the fuel system through a vapor/pressure relief system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A watercraft comprising a deck and a lower hull, a substantially enclosed compartment being generally defined between said deck and said lower hull, a fuel tank mounted within said compartment, said fuel tank comprising a bottom surface, a portion of said bottom surface comprising a recess such that said recess forms a lowermost portion of said fuel tank, said fuel tank also comprising an closeable opening, said opening being disposed generally above said recess and said opening being configured to accept a water siphon hose when said opening is not closed.  
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein said recess is formed in a rearward portion of said fuel tank.  
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein said water siphon hose is not permanently disposed within said opening.  
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 1  further comprising a fuel supply unit removably mounted within said fuel tank.  
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein said fuel supply unit is disposed forward of said recess.  
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 4  further comprising at least one member embedded within said fuel tank and said fuel supply unit being attached with said member.  
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 6 , wherein said member is at least one of a threaded insert and a nut.  
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 7 , wherein said member further comprises a threaded stub shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 4  further comprising a pressure relief mechanism communicating with said fuel supply unit, said pressure relief mechanism comprising a water repellant filter between an inlet of said pressure relief mechanism and an outlet to ambient air.  
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 9 , wherein said filter is disposed between said outlet to ambient air and a water removing unit.  
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 9 , wherein said pressure relief mechanism comprises an air pipe with an outlet, said outlet being surrounded by said filter.  
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein said outlet is disposed within a chamber at least partially defined by a side body panel.  
     
     
         13 . A watercraft comprising a deck and a lower hull, a substantially enclosed compartment being generally defined between said deck and said lower hull, a fuel tank mounted within said compartment, said fuel tank comprising an upper surface, an opening formed in said upper surface, a fuel supply unit extending downward through said opening, said fuel supply unit comprising an outwardly extending flange, at least one attachment component being integrated in said fuel tank proximate said flange, said flange being secured in position relative to said upper surface at least partially by said at least one attachment component.  
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one attachment component is embedded in said upper surface of said fuel tank.  
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one attachment component is at least one of a threaded insert and a nut.  
     
     
         16 . The watercraft of  claim 15 , wherein a threaded stub shaft is disposed within each of said at least one attachment component.  
     
     
         17 . The watercraft of  claim 13  further comprising a sealing member disposed between said flange and said upper surface of said fuel tank.  
     
     
         18 . The watercraft of  claim 13  further comprising a vapor relief passage extending from said fuel supply unit to an atmospheric outlet, said outlet being disposed within a water repellant filter.  
     
     
         19 . The watercraft of  claim 18 , wherein said filter is disposed over said outlet.  
     
     
         20 . A fuel tank comprising an outer shell, a recess defining a lowermost portion of said shell, a first opening defined at a location generally above at least a portion of said recess, a second opening defined in an upper surface of said upper shell and at least one mechanical fastener being embedded within said upper surface of said outer shell proximate said second opening.