Water on top of fuel tank sender 2004 180cc

[aren]

Hi y'all, I'm Aren and new here. I have a 2004 180cc and while installing a t-top I pulled the fuel sender cover to get a look at the fuel tank and line location...
I found about an inch of water standing on top of the tank and the sender submerged. It's been going on for a while apparently as the sender was covered in slime and corroded...
So much so, that it took 2 rolls of Brawny paper towels to mop it all up. And in doing so, the ring terminal on the top of the sender snapped right off in my hand.
I'm getting my butt kicked trying to identify the source of the leak. I saw a post about water in the tank resulting from the same issue but, couldn't find anything as to the repair of the leak.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Juan]

Welcome to the forum Aren.
Not sure if I understand your question but if what you are referring to as the fuel sender cover was the deck plate cover on the deck and over the fuel tank, and water was standing on top of the fuel tank and covering the top of the sending unit, the water on the tank more than likely came from a dry rotted or missing deck plate gasket. There's also a gasket between the top of the sending unit and the fuel tank that should prevent any water on top of the tank from leaking into the fuel tank.

[aren]

Yes sir, probably had an inch on the tank. I put a new seal on the inspection cover, it rained and water was on top again the bext morning.

[aren]

Yes sir, I replaced the o ring and replaced the cover, it rained over night and the next day water was standing on the fuel tank agan that I had just dried up. I am about to run a fresh wire from the sender to the gague because the corrosion was so bad it ate through the ring terminal and the wire is white and powdery several inches back inside the insulation.

[AHHHH-Spray]

Make sure the drain hole that's under the bulkhead behind the fuel tank is clear. I don't know how you'd have water on top of the tank unless there's also water all around the sides of it. Rain water could be getting in the bilge through rod holders or anchor compartment. There should be holes at the bottom of the bulkheads to allow water to drain back to the stern so you can pump it out with the bilge pump or remove drain plug to let it out. Sometimes the drain holes get blocked by debris and water pools up between the bulkheads. You can run a drain snake or something up along the low point of bilge to try and clear out the hole, just don't poke a hole in the fuel tank!

[aren]

I'll give that a shot. I've noticed the casting deck compartment has been slow to drain.... is the drain for the the long corrugated heavy pcv 1" tube that runs aft to the bronze fitting above the drain plug in the stern?

[Juan]

Seems to me since the water is collecting on top of your tank it's probably co.ing from above the tank and not below it and since you've already replaced the deck plate o-ring, I'll bet AHHHH-Spray nailed it with the rod holder drain suggestion.