I just found it easier to pull it out and totally disassemble the entire thing and take it to the sink and wash it out. Now it looks like brand new and since I had just recently bought the boat, as did the op, I wanted to have the whole regular
maintenance schedule clock set to zero so I know where everything is at.
I was advised by the seller to change out the fuel in the tanks as it had been sitting for quite some time before I bought her, so I did that and now I can see clearly if there is the slightest bit more grunge coming out of the tank(s).