ethanol eating fberglass fuel tanks
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: sewell, nj
My Boat: Ocean express 2004 31ss
Posts: 201

Does anybody else have fiberglass tanks that are melting away by the ethanol in gas? Is there a solution? manufacturer wants $10,000 to repair. Need some opinions here
#2
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sarasota, Fl
My Boat: 32 Spectre 300XSs
Posts: 249
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: sewell, nj
My Boat: Ocean express 2004 31ss
Posts: 201
#4

I had to have bladders installed in my Skater because of that.
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: sewell, nj
My Boat: Ocean express 2004 31ss
Posts: 201
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Michigan
My Boat: It's how well you go fast
Posts: 3,345

funny i have been in the room listening to peter at skater have this very conversation on the phone a few times! didn't think it was that much tho...? it doesn't have to be a skater for skater to work on it!
i know ATL's are not cheap either and don't last forever either...but don't quote me that tho.
i know ATL's are not cheap either and don't last forever either...but don't quote me that tho.
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Windsor, NC
My Boat: 33' Fountain, 28' Bertram, 24' Python (gone), 22' Velocity, 20' Sea Ox
Posts: 456

I had the fiberglass tank in my Bertram eaten by the ethanol and it only took 2 days of the gas being put in the tank for it to start. I removed the old fiberglass and replaced with a new custom built aluminum tank. Luckily, the floor in my Bertram could be removed and re-installed without any cutting. The tank itself cost $2400 but that is a 165 gallon tank. Ethanol in the gas sucks.
#9
Racer

Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Columbus,MI
My Boat: 38 Fountain Canopy, V24 Bat Boat
Posts: 2,574

Bladders have a 5 yr life and are very expensive. An alternative that is relatively easy if you tanks are not in bad shape and the fuel is not in the coring is to coat them with ceram coat. It needs to be done every couple of years and works best if done before you have a problem. Other than that replace the tank with an aluminum and be done with it.
http://www.ceram-kote.com/
http://www.ceram-kote.com/
#10
Platinum Member

Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Burlington, VT
My Boat: Azimut
Posts: 15,268

Some independent gas distributors have gas without ethanol in our area.
There was three spots around our town that had it last year and we fueled there.
Ethanol is crap on many ways... Welfare for farmers essentially... On our back always....
There was three spots around our town that had it last year and we fueled there.
Ethanol is crap on many ways... Welfare for farmers essentially... On our back always....