Bertram33 User Forum

hello everyone, i was having lunch here in miami about 1 mile from the bertram factory and i ran into some bertram employees in their bertram shirts, i asked the guys if they had done any reaserch in the last few months regarding the OLD fiberglass tanks and ethanol and i also asked them if there was any manuf. year that they thought the tanks would be ok , his answer was up till 1992 they will have problems. my feeling is that they dont care and dont know .Has anyone else heard any better news...Pete

Nope. I've heard mid 80s too. They haven't a clue. I don't think they even care. To be honest the "new" Bertram team isn't even close to the "old". The Bertram built by Cuban workers in the old days had some real workmanship and pride in their product. I bet those guys didn't have time for lunch back then! Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC 2007 8.1 Crusaders

Apparently according to PMY the only tanks that will have problems are tanks with DIOP in the resin. Apprently it is more rpevenlent in the pre 80 Tanks. Boy it sure would be nice to have someoen tell us if teh resin used to make our tanks has DIOP.

I have a 1983 FBC. Just pulled the tank and am in the process of rebuilding the engine top ends. They have exactly what you read about. A black tar like coating all over the valves, intake and of course the top end damage that occurs from valves sticking. Interestingly there is nothing "terrible" looking in the tank. Definitely a problem in the early 80's. Scott 1983 Bertram 33 FBC Amiado

Scott, Unfortunately for you, you appear to be the first 33 with an ethanol problem Al

Scott, Any idea when you're boat got its first load of ethanol? Any idea how many gallons have been through the tank?

I bought it used knowing it had issues. It essentially sat for a couple years, the owner used it maybe a couple hours a year. When I drained the gas before pulling the tank it was thick looking, especially the last bit of residue left. Color was a little dark - golden, almost like old gas more than anything else though. In CT, you guys would know when ethanol was introduced, a couple years ago I believe. It was still running at the end of the year with a slight skip in one engine (old crusaders). Pulled the heads and it was exactly what I had seen on line, a skim of "tar" all over the intake side of everything from the carb to the valves. Good news is the piston and block looked good and the heads, etc seem to clean right up at the machine shop. I'm not a mechanic by trade, but have worked on quite a few engines and had never seen that inside. I'm pretty sure it's from the ethanol. I wonder if the gas sitting had anything to do with it. It would make sense that there would be a higher concentration of "fiberglass" in it the longer it sat. If used more perhaps it would be less concentrated and some of the junk will burn through. For example a slight trace of water will burn through an engine, too much water and, well you know how that goes. I haven't gotten into the tank yet. We cut a couple of holes towards the outside to pry it up, and it was blistered there. It'll be interesting to see how the center looks on the inside. It's too cold right now to worry about! Just looking at the engines, and after seeing how easy it is to pull the tank you'd have to be a crazy not to do it in a gasser. Even if it does burn through it is eating up the tank. Scott 1983 Bertram 33 FBC Amiado

This seems to fit in with the theory that the FG tanks are fine with ethanol unless/until enough water gets in to cause phase separation of the fuel.

Take a look at the post I just made about a professor at UNH who is doing ethanol gas/fiberglass testing. He says he has never found any deterioration of fiberglass tanks made after 1980. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com The weak will inherit only whatever the strong are willing to let them have! "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Cummins 6Bs - 315HP Wilmington, NC

quote:Originally posted by Sean B This seems to fit in with the theory that the FG tanks are fine with ethanol unless/until enough water gets in to cause phase separation of the fuel. That's what I've been saying for the last 2 years![:(!]

Good to read all the comments-my 1986/maybe '85 tank is in good shape and the engines are performing well. Tomeeeee

What a good feeling, the tank is in, engines are rebuilt and I just sealed the deck back on a few days ago. It finally looks like a boat again! Can't wait to get it in the water and see how it runs!

Woo Hoo! Good job. Any pics?

A few Pics... Unfortunatly I took a bunch before starting, so I would know how it went back together should a question arise, and none on the way back together. Always seems to be the way. [IMG]http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... C06716.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... C06716.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... C06733.jpg[/IMG] The inside of the tank [IMG]http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... C06738.jpg[/IMG] And finally, the new blinds. Something to do while waiting for parts. [IMG]http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo10 ... C06743.jpg[/IMG]

Nice pics. The blinds look great. Are they anchored at the bottom to prevent them from swinging back and forth?