BOAT US Notice about supposely compliant fuel hose

[Captain Smollett]

From an Email Received from BOAT US:

Damage Prevention Tip of the Month:

Examine Your Fuel Hoses

A BoatU.S. member in Florida was replacing the engine filters on his boat recently when he noticed some cracks at the end of a fuel line. Thinking nothing of it, he cut off the end and was placing it on when a mechanic friend noticed more cracks farther down the hose. The two men then proceeded to examine all four of the fuel hoses and found that while much of it looked healthy, there were deep -- and dangerous -- cracks over some sections of each hose.

With only 458 hours on the engine, the obvious question was why were the hoses deteriorated so badly? Ethanol had been recently introduced into the area, but the hoses were each marked J 1527, which means they were designed to withstand up 10% ethanol. The boat had been well cared for and was otherwise in terrific shape.

The boat owner sent a section of the hose to BoatU.S. After consulting with experts, it turns out the hose had been made in Malaysia, where quality varies and is sometimes iffy. (The country of origin must be stamped on any hose made outside the U.S.). Fuel hoses must be marked that they meet USCG and SAE J1527 standards, but manufacturers often self-certify to the USCG that the hose meets those standards. Some, but not all, companies that import hoses conduct tests.

According to experts, the best hoses are made in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. And while a hose's life expectancy varies, any hose over 10 years old is suspect and any over 20 years old should be replaced, regardless of its apparent condition. Bottom line: any fuel hose, regardless of its age, should be inspected annually. And any that are suspect should be replaced; the consequences of a failed hose are too dire to take chances.

{emphasis added}

All the discussion we've had on the general topic of "certification" over years is summarized in this case in a nutshell:  certification means squat.  YMMV.

And now I have some ammo the next time I go to West Marine and the guy gives me grief about NOT wanting to use the cheap, flimsy "bilge pump hose" for under-waterline applications.   ;)

Sometimes, ya get what ya pay for...