It made no sense I couldn't find any sediment so I drew out another gallon taking care to get the hose into the lowest corner of the tank. I did in fact get some coarse black sediment in the bottom, hardly a thimble bottom full. And there was one dime sized plug of water in the bottom of the pail. Then I was satisfied, cleaned up the old mechanical Criterion fuel gauge, cut a new gasket and sealed it up.

I've rolled this boat through all kinds of gyrations that throws it on it's beam ends, several times a season, and never have had a filter problem. I think those filters, and rough seas, are your best warning system and were telling me the state of the tanks.

Still, I'm glad I know for sure.