DO NOT DO ALUMINUM TANKS - READ LEE DANA'S COMMENT

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:46 am

Don, I had the same rust colored particles last season, before the ethanol.Some of those are just floating around the tank. I have been operating on the assumption that the first thing I'll notice is the fuel turning darker as it cleans whatever varnish off the sides of the tank. After that,I'll keep an eye on the gel-coat inside the tank, looking for softening or blisters.

Don33 · Post by **Don33** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:31 am

quote:Originally posted by franklyprice Don, I had the same rust colored particles last season, before the ethanol.Some of those are just floating around the tank. I have been operating on the assumption that the first thing I'll notice is the fuel turning darker as it cleans whatever varnish off the sides of the tank. After that,I'll keep an eye on the gel-coat inside the tank, looking for softening or blisters. Frank Price Frank, Thanks for the info on the rust-colored particles. That's reasurring since I didn't bother to look last year, before the switchover to E10 in this area (western shore of Chesapeake Bay). Whatever those grainy particles are, it looks like the filter is doing an OK job of trapping them. I called Mercury Marine about the fuel / water separator and they said that "trapped" water would collect in the bottom of the filter and be visible when poured into a glass container. So, the Merc filter element is not a "sponge" that absorbs water. It just separates the water from the fuel (as its name implies). I just wanted to be sure that, if the filter was trapping any water, we'd be able to see it. Don

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:32 am

Here is a picture of the bonding plate I was talking about . I have 2 of them and they seem to be tied to the boats bonding wires and copper straps. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/images/uploads/bonding plate.jpg[/img]

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:32 am

Frank et al, Thanks for the advise....but I still think that I'll be going Aluminum. I'm definitely in the danger zone and if there are FG tanks available any time soon, they'll be going for top buck and who will know for sure what their actual performance is. Until they sit for a few winters, I'm not sure I'd be convinced by any manufacturers claims. The tank in the SF is very accessible so if FG tanks come along that prove to be a lot better, it'll give me something to do in some future winter. Spring's are tough for me because of kids sports so I want to have this job done by March 30th at the latest. Trust me, the job will be well documented for all to see. If at all possible, I'll try to remove the tank intact. But at the very least we'll have many pictures to view and stories to tell ! Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:51 am

Frank, I trust you as a very reliable source but I've got to tell you....I was skeptical about FG not being conductive in the least bit...figured there had to be some conductive properties in it. So I took a piece of my hull from a transducer installation and set it up on the bench. Dug the Ohm Meter probes in and couldn't even measure anything in Meg Ohm's ! Nothing. Geez, just when you think you understood where the electrons go in a boat. Guess I have some reading to do ! Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:00 am

quote:Originally posted by photo finish Here is a picture of the bonding plate I was talking about . I have 2 of them and they seem to be tied to the boats bonding wires and copper straps. Pretty sure that is a grounding plate for a Loran. Maybe you should leave it there in case you ever want an SSB radio, and it probably helps protect against damage in a lightning strike. Grounding plates also help a VHF radio too but most people don't have them for that purpose. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:31 pm

Tim, Those are grounding plates. I think they help with grounding all electronics but on a boat my father owned his SSB radio was grounded to them. Buzz Buzzk 1988 Bertram 33 FBC Buzz Off Morehead City, NC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:44 pm

Rick, That's too funny about the ohm meter.. When you do remove your tank, can we use it for a mould if it comes out in big enough pieces? I think Lee Dana is going by drawings so far on the B33 tanks and he's not sure if they have all of them.

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:38 pm

By the end of next week I will be out of the water & starting the prep work to replace my tank also. Unfortunately I don't think I have any choice. SOMETHING is affecting my engines. fuel drained out of the Racors is slightly cloudy. I always have the coffee ground particles & when I had the Merc filters those particles made it past the filters & the carb screen. Had to rebuild both carbs. They were totally gunked up inside. Port engine is not the smoothest & I had to bump up the idle to 900 rpm on the stb motor. Got tired of it stalling just as I spin it around at the head of Marblehead harbor or when I'm just maneuvering to pull into my marina. Even at 900 rpm it is running a little ragged. I had it running at a 900 idle in gear for over an hour today. Under those conditions she stayed running. Anybody know anyone that wants to rent my slip for the winter? I don't have anyone lined up as the NITES OFF normally stays in. Al 1978 33 FBC NITES OFF

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 2:08 pm

Good to hear from you Al, not so good to hear about the engines. Take care of it now and hopefully it will solve all your problems. It's crazy how the older tanks cause this type of trouble, makes me think the newer tanks are probably going to hold up since myself, Doug, Frank and others have been problem free, so far! Knock on wood! Oh well, if you need help getting her up the river let me know, my schedule is very flexible. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:24 pm

Ditto on the offer for help. That goes for you to Rick. 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** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:27 pm

I've got plenty of hammers and saws. Count me in.At least for the removal part...

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:54 am

Thanks guys, we'll definitely stay in touch. I've got the 315 tank and I'm pretty sure that Al has the 255. I lost a fuel pump last week, but I'm pretty sure that doesn't have anything to do with ethanol. Has everything to do with my filters clogging all summer from the last tank of MTBE. Al, see you soon, tell Billy to leave me a spot ! Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA