I have an 89 Wellcraft Scarab with twin carburated 454/Bravo 1's. Purchased the boat last fall and ran it out of fuel at 1/4 tank - suspected the fuel sender. This year ran it out at 1/2 tank. Pulled the sender and it looks fine. Discovered that there really was a 1/2 tank left. Starboard engine runs out first and then 5 minutes later the port engine dies. Each engine has its own pickup in the thank and the lines are separate all the way to the carbs. I am wondering obout cracks forming in the pick up tubes??? Anyone have any experience on this one?

The fuel pumps will suck air before gas all the time. If there is a crack in the pick-up, the pump will only pull the fuel to the level of the crack. I think you may have other problems though because you would have to have a pretty good sized crack.

I d check your fuel filters and pump especially if your running ethenal in the fuel in your area, also in the late 80s alot of manufactures put check balls / back flow preventers in the fuel line where it enters the tank Looks like a regular hose barb but has a little ball in it, if you have it the balls tend to stick after a while..... take a hammer and a punch and pop the ball out,......in 25 years ive never seen pick up tube problems