boatruptcy
Senior Member
Do what works for you. I like the solid filters and vacuum gauges. There are times that filter changes happen underway even when unexpected or properly maintained and I don't think anyone would agree that changing a racor is easier than sliding a zip lock bag over the spin off and changing in under two minutes.No mess in changing the racor. Just drain the housing through the petcock in the bottom of the bowl before removing the element.
If you did periodic checks of the separator bowl while underway, you wouldn't be trying to change a filter underway.
Drawing fuel samples while underway is unrealistic. While it probably isn't necessary running 8 hours or less, if you're doing overnight trips or multiple day runs up the coast, knowing fuel filtration status becomes more important.
Ted