Boat US safety Alert

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:12 am

Rick, According to the above remarks you may be ok. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 1:16 pm

If it comes to FL, I think it will be time to revisit the 'repower with diesel engines' plan. In fact, my wife will most likely push me to do it, as her fear of gas is much greater than her dislike for the smell of diesel exhaust. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:41 pm

Not a bad idea if you can swing it Ed. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:46 am

Doug, Believe me, I saw the "1985" notation in his article....even emailed him about it. But in his reply to me, he said that he wasn't sure one way or another and that he's only been into it for 3 weeks. Guess we'll keep looking for more information. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:33 am

Ed... I have been following this issue on the Bert 31 site.. the feeling there is that eventually methanol will be added to diesel fuel as well. There does not seem to be any info on what this might do to diesel engines, but IMO it sure won't make them run better. It might be best to consider changing your tank first and staying with gas.. I suppose it is a question for all of us.. how big a gambler are each of us? Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC!

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:02 am

Can you say class action suit!!!!!!!

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:30 am

I plan to just monitor the situation. We obviously arn't going to stop this. Only the automobile mfg. has a lobby strong enough for that. I guess I would be most concerned about protecting my engines. Maybe double up on Racors. The Commercial boat I had was Monarch built for the oil fields. Totally enviromentally sealed. Double Racors on each engine, plus DD had their own unique filters on the 871Ns. The boat had hull cooling. Only raw water pumped into the boat was for cooling the exhaust. What a tank that thing was. When it turned to crap, the weakest link was the operator being able to take the beating. Gene Dugan

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:33 am

quote:Originally posted by photo finish Can you say class action suit!!!!!!! Have you been talking to Bill?[;)] Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:45 am

When and why would they add that to diesel. That would mean anyone burning home heating oil would also be getting the same stuff, would'nt it? Mike

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:09 am

All I can figure out is that each gallon of ethanol we burn is a gallon of imported fuel we don't burn.. so we would be less dependant on the friendly Arabs who love us all the way to their banks. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC!

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:46 am

Except that you'll burn more ethanol gas (which still comes from imported oil) than regular un-leaded gas per mile travelled. I'm reading that ethanol is from 10-15% less efficient than regular un-leaded. I'll leave it to someone else to do all the math. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:33 pm

Electric marine motors like those on some large commercial vessels and cruise ships could be the future for us. There are a some currently being introduced to the recreational market. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR BERTRAM PRIDE '06 yet? DO IT NOW... SPACE IS LIMITED!

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 6:03 am

Ethanol will be put in diesel to make it burn cleaner, less emmissions I believe is the reason. Plus the corn producers are huge contributors to the GOP, it's all about the benjamins, bottom line. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:27 am

You are absolutely right Bill. So right in fact, that we should be thinking of where the buck stops and is controlled in so many markets. The Insurance Companies. It's scary to think of the possibilities when you consider how they are going to react to the claims once they start popping up. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:41 pm

It states on my 1988 fuel tank tag, "not for use with methanol fuel". Thats interesting because MTBE fuel is the stuff we've been using for awhile now. Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, can be used as an alternative fuel in flexible fuel vehicles that run on M85 (a blend of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline). However, it is not commonly used because automakers are no longer supplying methanol-powered vehicles. Methanol can be used to make methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), an oxygenate which is blended with gasoline to enhance octane and create cleaner burning fuel. MTBE production and use has declined because it has been found to contaminate ground water. In the future, methanol could possibly be the fuel of choice for providing the hydrogen necessary to power fuel cell vehicles. Ethanol and Methanol are two different things. So I am assuming that my boat is still safe from the ethanol situation, I hope! 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]