Boat US safety Alert

unique_name · Post by **unique_name** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:45 am

here is a picture of a hatteras tank that went bad. it looks just like the bertram tanks i saw. http://www.samsmarine.com/forums/showth ... #post27011 jim

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mon May 08, 2006 7:37 am

Jim, Could you post the picture here. We don't have permission to view the pic. Thanks Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

unique_name · Post by **unique_name** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:14 am

not sure how to post pictures here. if you can, i could email it to you for posting. jim

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:12 pm

Next time someone talks to their insurance man or woman try and get an answer about what they "might" cover if you get engine damage from contaminated fuel. I am hearing that they won't cover the fiberglass tank, because of the age, but they will cover a percentage of the repairs for engine damage, because we have no choice but to use ethanol laced fuel. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Bob S · Post by **Bob S** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:45 pm

I spoke to Mercruiser customer service today and they said that there products are OK with up to 10% ethanol. I asked specifically if that is just new products and they said all products.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:13 am

Bob, That is exactly what Crusader told me.... And that means nothing, because the engines can handle the ethanol. That is not what is in question ,It is the fiberglass tanks that cannot handle the Ethanol.It is the breakdown of the fiberglass that the Ethanol causes.The residue from this breakdown process is what no engine can handle.So the engine manufacturers can make that statement all day long and not be lying to you.I am sure if you call Merc back and ask them if the engine can handle Ethanol laced fuel after it has been swimming in a 25 year old fiberglass tank and or mixed with original mtbe laced fuel they will mumble that the engine can handle the Ethanol but thats all they will say.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:14 am

Maybe it would be better to never let your insurance agent know that you knew about the ethanol. That way, how can they say you were responsible for putting bad gas into your tank and killing your engines. I have not recieved any info from anyone on the possible problems of ethanol. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Fri May 12, 2006 10:39 am

Sounds like we're all re-tanking at some point no matter how you slice it. It also sounds like we'll be doing it with Aluminum tanks, I haven't heard of a better alternative yet. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:34 am

From what I understand, you can still use fiberglass tanks if you decide to re-tank. Its the older composition tanks that are is question. Mike

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:48 am

My tank being a 1988 is still virgin like in my eyes. I doubt there is any gunk in it at all, it will be very close to empty when I get the new fuel so that will solve that problem. My tank says "not recommended for METHANOL" right on it, and it never caused any problems. If I had a pre 1980 then I would be worried. I'm not losing any sleep over this and not spending any money foolishly on new tanks. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat May 13, 2006 5:23 am

We might be the biggest fools on the sea Bill, but that's my program too. My '85 tank also has the same warning on it by the way. But the reason I think we'll probably have to re-tank is that they'll probably use more & more ethanol over time as the program becomes "successful". Since our government already thinks that it is....how can the outcome be any different ? If we find that the tanks are breaking down, I hope that I can at least make it through the summer but time will tell. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Sat May 13, 2006 5:56 am

My guess is ethanol won't be around for long, the supplies are limited, MPG are worse, and it was a quick fix for getting rid of methanol. I just hope Soy is good for our tanks and engines! Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Post by **dougl33** » Sat May 13, 2006 6:05 am

E10 isn't going anywhere. They've beein using it in the mid-west for years. E85 is the next monster coming down the road. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Sat May 13, 2006 7:49 am

I just changed my feul filters as part of the normal re-commissioning. Now , mind you, I've been running regular pump gas with no ethanol and my tanks are full of the old gas. I emptied out the filters into a clean , clear plastic container. What I saw was a bunch of grains of crap, what I'd describe as" coffee ground "like stuff and the gas was the normal golden gas color. The reason I mention the crap in the filters is because I recall the "coffee grounds" description from a post about the ethanol problem and it's effects on our tanks. I assume that what I am seeing is normal crud in the tank and it doesn't bother me , although it makes me appreciate having filters. Also, no water in the gas. Next I will look at the contents after running for awhile on ethanol gas in a month or so and I bet I see pretty much the same thing.

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sat May 13, 2006 9:47 am

Frank, I've seen the coffee grounds too with the good old gas.....but they're very fine coffee grounds. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA