RedactedNarrative: Operator states he had just got vessel out of the shop at tadpole marine shop and that the vessel had been winterized by them and that they had replaced the center manifold gasket. Operator stated he was taking the vessel out to see how it ran. He stated that he had just put 12 gallons of fuel in the vessel. He unloaded the vessel at johnson creek boat ramp. He further states that he had his ventilation blower fan on and did not smell any gas vapors. Apparently there was some unknown failure in the fuel system that caused fuel to leak into the bilge area where it was subsequently ignited. The operator stated that he was going make a short circle when the vessel exploded blowing the engine compartment cover into the air and the vessel caught on fire. He states that he jumped into the water placed his son on the engine compartment cover that was floating in the water and began swimming to shore. When another boater came along side and picked him and his son up and took them to the boat ramp at johnson creek. The fire caused damage to the engine compartment area , the interior portion of the stern area of the vessel and to the engine cowling.  There were no injuries.  Area of the accident was approx 1 mile west of johnson creek boat ramp and approx 1/2 mile north of the south bank of johnson creek and approx 3/4 mile west of the east bank of johnson creek.
   