Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Another fuel post for everyone

Posted By: Chiles
Date: Monday, 20 March 2006, at 1:35 p.m.

All,
With all the postings here, I decided to go in a slightly different direction and contact the USCG engineers that write the standards and ask them. Much to my surprise the commercial guy that I spoke with assists with the specs for fuel tanks (i.e. non recreational) were not that familiar with the issue. So, with that in mind, he asked me to send an e-mail with all the links I had here and to other articles. They offered to research it and give us some suggestions. I'm holding my breath, but maybe this approach will yeild some government response to the situation that we face. The gentleman I talked to was very knowledgable and seemed genuine in his concern.

I hope I am representing us well with what I sent:

***********************************************

Sir,
Thank you for taking time to assist with this concern.

To sum it up, Bertram and other boat manufacturers that were constructed from the 1960's to the early 80's can have factory fiberglass fuel tanks.

In the North East area, we have seen what we believe are several examples of where ethanol introduced into gasoline has had detrimental impacts on the engines. The industry is suspecting that the tanks could be to blame. Here are some examples of recent articles posted on the subject:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQK/is_1_11/ai_n16019367

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp

http://www.naftc.wvu.edu/NAFTC%20eNews/January%2006/fiberglass.html

http://www.bertram31.com/bb/bbs.cgi?noframes;read=77167

http://www.bertram31.com/bb/bbs.cgi?noframes;read=76768

http://www.bertram31.com/bb/bbs.cgi?noframes;read=76684

The ultimate answer (I believe) we are looking for is what material will be suited best for our "classic" boats and new fuels. There are thousands of us. We are concerned about safety.

Can we use stainless if we follow particular guidelines?

Can the Coast Guard or NTSB intervene and insist on a longer term study of Ethanol in marine fuel before this goes any further?

How serious of a safety concern is ethanol to older fiberglass tanks?

Again thanks for your assistance and guidance.

************************************************

Chiles

Messages In This Thread

Another fuel post for everyone
Chiles -- Monday, 20 March 2006, at 1:35 p.m.

Re: Another fuel post for everyone
John B -- Monday, 20 March 2006, at 2:10 p.m.

Re: Another fuel post for everyone
Rawleigh -- Monday, 20 March 2006, at 4:09 p.m.

Re: Another fuel post for everyone
Walter Kaprielian -- Monday, 20 March 2006, at 6:38 p.m.

Re: Very Timely
jp -- Monday, 20 March 2006, at 7:26 p.m.

Re: Very Timely
Kevin Mehegan -- Tuesday, 21 March 2006, at 1:35 p.m.