More on Ethanol and Fiberglass Tanks

[bobozinga]

Friends,

I realize that the issue of ethanol additives in boat fuel don't appear to hit most of the folks on this site. But for us owners of many older Berts, Hatts, Vikes, Cabos and other 1970's and early 1980's owners, it's a very serious situation.

These boats had wonderful, brick-____house fiberglass tanks factory-installed. They were designed for the life of the boats. And, until ethanol was added to the fuel supply, most of these tanks were in great shape.

Like many of my Bert 28' co-owners, we've spent a lot of time this winter and spring trying to separate truth from fiction about ethanol's effect on fiberglass tanks and other marine fuel system components. I don't claim to be a chemist or any kind of expert, but from what I've read (a LOT of stuff), this is a problem that can kill one's enjoyment of a quality older boat...

Therefore, I'm going to pay through the nose for a fuel tank replacement (IF I can find the tank and/or a mold for the tank, which is another subject entirely)....and miss the Chesapeake trophy striper season, etc. The ethanol situation is that serious.

If anybody on this site cares about this problem, I've added below this message a note from a chemist at StarBrite, who make StarTron, a fuel additive I've used for a couple of years. They've been very responsive to my inquiries about their fuel-additive products.

It's worth a look. I'm going to post this message on a couple of other boating forums as well, just to see if we can get a real discussion going on this subject.

Oz

Dear Bob:

Even though your area is just now "going" to ethanol fuel, that does not mean that it wasn't already in the system, unofficially. There are now so few US refineries, that there often isn't enough capacity to meet the US demand. Fuel, including diesel, gasoline, ethanol, and ethanol additized fuel, is imported, from around the world, and enters the US fuel stream in several places. During the fuel crunch from Hurricane Katrina, we had such severe fuel shortages, that the EPA was forced to lift restrictions on levels of ethanol that are allowed in the fuel, and extend the times of the year when seasonal ethanol formulas could be sold, to meet demand.

It was actually was a monumental effort by the EPA and the oil companies to avoid a complete transportation infrastructure meltdown. However, as fuel was being co-mingled in bulk plants, and moved around the country in desperation, ethanol, at some level, has probably been in your fuel at least at some time. You need to check not only the tank, but any rubber fuel hoses. If they feel soft, replaced them with new, alcohol resistant lines immediately. Check all gaskets as well.

It is a tough blow to the boating industry, as the older resins can't handle even the slightest amount of ethanol. Ethanol is here to stay.

There really is no cure. At least not chemically. The best you can do is keep water out of your fuel. Ethanol attracts, then attaches itself to water. The mix becomes heavier than fuel, and settles to the bottom, concentrating the ethanol on the tank bottoms. This not only attacks the glass resin, but it will dissolve old gum and varnish from years of gasoline sitting, and put that into your filters as well. Startron can mitigate water and help dissolve the gum and varnish, but unfortunately, the glass resin is going to melt down eventually. Startron can help buy you some time, but the tank has got to go before you have a fuel leak.

Good luck.

[LI Sound Grunt]

Believe it or not in Ct (where we had that crap in the gas for years now and have all gone through the growing pains of clogged filters and tank issues and such) the DEP now says we no longer need it for air quality reasons....I guess it all just politics now...

[John F.]

Bobozinga-

Saw that you're at Kent Narrows. I'm also on Kent Island with a '69 B31 with an original glass tank. I'm going to start looking for a tank guy soon--any ideas? This whole ethanol thing is really frustrating.

Thanks-

John F.

[zimmjas]

LI Sound Grunt - 4/24/2006 7:17 PM

Believe it or not in Ct (where we had that crap in the gas for years now and have all gone through the growing pains of clogged filters and tank issues and such) the DEP now says we no longer need it for air quality reasons....I guess it all just politics now...

I was under the impression that Ethanol was phasing out MTBE as the latter was found to contaminate drinking water supplies.

[Buttanic]

What are or have the service stations done that have fiberglass underground tanks. I haven't been seeing them being dug up and replaced.

This is just my luck, I just last year had a new fiberglass tank made for a Chris Craft I restored and I debated between fiberglass and aluminum and went with fiberglass because of weight and corrosion of aluminum.

[GWcpa]

I've read that the in-ground glass tanks were designed with resins that resist alcohol. What about the new Yellowfins? Don't they have glass tanks that may degrade?

[bobozinga]

John F,
I understand there are several sources for B-31 tanks, since they're so much in demand for restorers and classic boat folks. The bertram31.com website is full of threads on the subject. Hightide Marine in Florida (specializing in older Bertram parts) also has some angles on the tanks. And there are at least a few farbicators along the East coast who have the molds and, I've heard, are willing to build you a custom stainless or aluminum (yuk) tank. I suspect that the B-31's had more than one type of tank over the years (as did the B-28), so the secret is having the right mold, based on the specifications for your boat. That's the problem with the B-28 tanks....only one person has a mold that I'm sure about, and that's Hightide, who are willing (for a major consideration) to have a custom new ethanol-proof fiberglass tank fabricated. If you'd like more info, just drop me an email.

Buttanic,
The older fiberglass tanks in Chris's, Berts, etc. ran from the late 60's thru the mid-80's. If you just had your tank fabricated, I'd recommend talking with whoever made it. You might be just fine.

[LI Sound Grunt]

zimmjas - 4/24/2006 10:31 PM

I was under the impression that Ethanol was phasing out MTBE as the latter was found to contaminate drinking water supplies.

Yes you are correct. I was told that the new (and possibly temporary)requirement would allow non-oxygenated fuels to be sold if it would help the national energy situation. But apparently due to distribution logistics we will be seeing ethanol in the fuels for the foreseeable future. And, yes MTBE is still banned for water pollution reasons.

I am still changing those in-line carb screen filters every 20 hrs. or so since the normal water separation filters I use upstream don't get the small stuff. My 1988 boat actually has a warning on both gas fills "Do not use gasoline that contains ethanol".

[petersr2]

What about a 01 Aquasport with a glass tank? Ethanol has reached Texas and for the mean time I will fuel at the stations that still have regular dinosaur fuel.

[bobozinga]

Petersr2,

You might check with Aquasport to see if their tanks are ethanol-resistant. The problem tanks that I've seen are all on boats made earlier than 1986. I heard of no problems on boats made since then.

[BigShrimpin]

How many of those big boats with glass tanks aren't Diesel??? Seems like it would be only a handful . . . why is 10% so much more of a problem than the 5% thats been in the fuel for the last 10 years?

[timbb]

A friend has a large center console, a newer model with fiberglass tanks, tanks leaking. Not sure I buy the newer glass tanks are not a problem theory.