Gas Motors and Fiberglass Tanks

[wndsr]

A friend is looking at several Hatteras with gas engines and fiberglass tanks. Is it guaranteed that ethanol fuel will cause problems with the tanks? If so, is there any good technology to correct the issue without replacing tanks?

 

[captddis]

Just use only non ethanol fuel. Most marinas have it.

 

[Boatsb]

A friend is looking at several Hatteras with gas engines and fiberglass tanks. Is it guaranteed that ethanol fuel will cause problems with the tanks? If so, is there any good technology to correct the issue without replacing tanks?

Yes. Simply repower with diesel.

 

[SEVEN]

Gas over diesel???????

 

[madhatter1]

Just use only non ethanol fuel. Most marinas have it.

Dave is 100% correct. Although you will need to make sure it is honest ethanol free. No need to repower to Diesel although smiles all the way after doing so. Straight gas will cause zero damage or grief. Ethanol is a government mandated corrosive water absorbing power robbing fuel economy ruining answer to all our problems that never existed.

 

[BobWaz]

I believe it was around 1984-85 that the resin was changed in the glass making it safe for ethanol fuel. My 87 40 double cabin is safe and confirmed with Hatteras. We are lucky that up here we have non ethanol and can even buy premium at some of the land stations that is also ethanol free. At 2000 rpm I cruise at about 9 - 10 mph and burn only 7 1/2 gph. The Crusader 454's are easy to maintain and are the best marine conversion of that block. I have no problems in not being diesel. Check out David Pascoe's article on gas vs diesel and his findings on the Crusader 454's.

 

[finatic]

If you do need to do something...one possibility is to cut an access hole in the (empty ) tank(s) and have fuel bladders installed.

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

If you do need to do something...one possibility is to cut an access hole in the (empty ) tank(s) and have fuel bladders installed.

if the boat is one of the unlucky ones, it really depends on where you are on whether you will have access to ethanol free gas. like downstate NY, ur out of luck. as far as solutions, replacing the tank is, unfortunately, the only answer. Dealing with the tank baffles really eliminated bladders as an option.
wish I had better news for you, also wish I could drop my old tanks on the heads of the all the a$$'s that dumped this on us.

 

[GaryNW]

Talked to Steve of Sam's yesterday re control cable lengths. During conversation, he asked if I was gas and was concerned about replacing my tank. In his view ethonal destroys tank immediatley. Turns out I went to alum 6 years ago during repower. With engines out, could R&R tank without tearing up deck My marina is still ethanol free, but could not tell me when and if that would change. Oh well, in big scheme alum tank was only 1600 and I use opportunity to add 50 gallons

Gary.

 

[smoothmove]

There's quite a bit of info relative to this situation in the archives if you're interested.

Keep in mind the concerns you have about BUYING a gas powered Hatteras with fiberglass tanks and know that when the day comes to sell, it will be front and center again. Beat the seller up over this now because you'll be on the other end some day if you don't switch to aluminum.
Eric

 

[jburris]

Our 68 41' TC had one tank replaced back in 2003, way before we owned it, the boat has been undergoing an interior refurbishment over the last few months, there has been no fuel smell or any signs of leakage. I decided to replace the other tank, it wasn't a bad job, and upon removal and inspection of the chunks of old tank as I cut them out, there was indeed some delamination of the glass, where the baffles were glassed in was really loose,,I pulled the baffles loose by hand easily...So I say change them if you can

 

[34Hatt]

if the boat is one of the unlucky ones, it really depends on where you are on whether you will have access to ethanol free gas. like downstate NY, ur out of luck. as far as solutions, replacing the tank is, unfortunately, the only answer. Dealing with the tank baffles really eliminated bladders as an option.
wish I had better news for you, also wish I could drop my old tanks on the heads of the all the a$$'s that dumped this on us.

Like Jim said depends on where you are I just did a lot of the North East N.Y, Ct, R.I and Ma 400 n.m not one Marina had Non Ethanol so it not always possible to just use Non Ethanol!

 

[wndsr]

I have passed all of these issues on to my friend. Unfortunately they just bought a vintage Egg Harbor.

 

[Freeebird]

Do Egg's have fiberglass tanks?

HahnR has one for sale on here, you could ask him if nobody else chimes in.

 

[MikeP]

I believe it was around 1984-85 that the resin was changed in the glass making it safe for ethanol fuel. My 87 40 double cabin is safe and confirmed with Hatteras.

FWIW, current makers of FG tanks for a variety of vehicles claim their resin is "ethanol-resistant," not ethanol "proof." One maker that I know of that makes motorcycle fuel tanks of FG using such resins still recommends that the tanks be treated with an epoxy sealer prior to use with ethanol fuels.

One maker in the UK who was developing fg tanks that were hopefully suitable for E10 gave up when new Euro standards were proposed for E15...