Did I run out of fuel?

[mdchachi]

Yesterday I used the boat (2001 Utopia) for the afternoon. I stopped and started it several times with no issues. Then, the very last time I was about to take it back to the launch, it wouldn't start. At this point the fuel gauge was reading about 1/8 or so. And it also had sat parked at the dock for about 30 minutes. I believe it's unrelated to my previous issues. This time the starter ran strong, engaged the whole time. I also tried a jumper box just in case with no effect. And unlike previously it didn't start on the trailer after taking it out or even later in my driveway.
So I decided to put more fuel into it. I added 25 gallons and the fuel gauge was reading full at that point. Then, back in my driveway, it started right up!

I've never run it this low on fuel before but it wasn't near the Empty marker.
So... does it sound like a simple low fuel problem or could there be something else going on?

 

[Dr Honda]

Sounds like a low fuel issue to me. ?? You may want to pull the pickup tube out, and see if it's ok. If it's plastic, it could be cracked, and just can't get all the fuel out. OR... the sender is just not accurate.

 

[XP 787]

Did you shut the boat off and then it wouldn't start? or did the boat shut down on its own then wouldn't start?

 

[mdchachi]

I shut it off normally and then it wouldn't start up after that. In the past my not-starting-issues have been been battery or starter-related and it always started fine out of the water. So I'm hoping it's just something related to low fuel.