Lost phone down bilge air inlet - any advice?

[mls6722]

On my 22Ve, the fresh air inlets are at the base of the windshield. Someone I know who shall remain nameless set her phone on the top of the bow seat back and it slipped right down the ventilation opening into the bilge.
I removed the hose where is goes through the floor and cannot see the phone. I appears that there is enough space under the fuel tank for the phone to have made it well under the fuel tank.

Anyone have experience with losing something down this hole? The phone was insured, and I believe if it is under the tank, it is likely wet.

[IDBoating]

If it's under the fuel tank, that's where things like the steering cable are traditionally run. I don't want to be a downer, but it could be a big challenge getting it out of there. The tracking fin attachment hardware protrudes up through the hull under there, meaning that the phone won't likely just slide along smoothly even if you can get a hold on it with a fishtape or something.

Are you sure your hose hole opens into the fuel tank area? There's a stringer right along there and I wonder if it's on the outside of that stringer. I don't know, just wondering... if it is to the outside then the phone may just be sitting under there against the stringer.

[Stingreye]

If it's like my 24v I think it's a pretty good distance to the tank. That area is pretty open. If it was me, I would use it as a excuse to convince the mrs I needed one of these http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-i...not%20provided [emoji3]


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[JohnnieMo]

Time for a new boat. Safety hazard.

[mls6722]

@wabosting I removed the flex hose at the floor side. It is at the edge of the fuel tank. I can reach almost to my elbow in the fore and aft direction and am quite sure the phone slid through the gap between the tank and hull. Insurance claim filed.

[mls6722]

If it's like my 24v I think it's a pretty good distance to the tank. That area is pretty open. If it was me, I would use it as a excuse to convince the mrs I needed one of these http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-i...not%20provided [emoji3]


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I still might need to get one of those

[IDBoating]

I'd still run a fish tape (electrician's wire pulling tool) up from the stern end of the tank and see if you get lucky and can snag it.

BTW, if you buy one of those video inspection tools from Harbor Freight (I have one), pick up a copy of Popular Mechanics or Popular Science first. HF runs monthly ads that include a 20% off coupon, more than paying for the magazine.