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Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board
My current plan for ethanol
Posted By: John F.
Date: Wednesday, 19 April 2006, at 10:05 p.m.
I've been following the thread here and on the Hatt board regarding ethanol/gas. Ethanol/gas will be on the Chesapeake as of June 1. Crae of "Mako" e-mailed and asked how I was planning on dealing with the ethanol situation. I started writing him an e-mail, and thought maybe we could start a thread on what the gasser faithful are planning to do. I plan on filling up on May 31, and running that tank to almost empty before I get ethanol/gas. After that:
1. I had my tank cleaned this spring (very unimpressed with how it was done).
2. Use an additive (probably startron from Starbrite--hopefully it does something--gotta' be an opportunity for a chemist here to come up with something that works--either an additive or a filter).
3. Buy only as much gas as I'm going to use in a 2 week period (trying to avoid "phase separation").
4. I'll drain off my Racors and check for crud every chance I get--at least every two weeks (I understand that the dreaded goo won't show up in the filters, but maybe excess water will, or something).
5. When I check filters every 2 weeks, I'll pull a plug per motor to see of there is any "goo" build-up (per Randall's suggestion).
6. If there is any build-up, I'll try a carb cleaner to see if that helps. I may do a carb cleaner periodically anyway to try to stay ahead. Part way through the summer, I'll take off the tank pick-up fitting after running the tank down to almost empty, and take a look inside. Maybe by then I'll know what to look for.I'm hoping I can get through the summer, and then maybe there'll be a solution. If I have to get a tank, current planning on aluminum (maybe stainless) with a sump and a drain so I can get a gallon or so off the bottom/sump periodically for the "phase separation" thing.
With price of gas and diesel, and the prices we may see in the future, I may sell my B31 within a year or so and buy a 23'-25' center console or walk with twin 4-strokes (or maybe a 20 Bahia). Basically, I'm getting really frustrated with the idea of paying $4 a gallon this summer for fuel that may ruin my tanks, wreck my motors, compromise my family's safety, and force me to sell the boat I've wanted since I was a kid because its getting to expensive to keep fuel in her.....and $60K for diesels isn't the answer if diesel goes to $4 gallon this summer. My 17 Whaler may get alot more use this summer.
Any comments on my plans or what your plans are for dealing with this would be appreciated. Harv, I think I printed your plans out somewhere and will give them another read. I'm just trying to get a handle on what to do. I'm not getting a new tank yet (per UV's views on this).
John F.....as in really frustrated. Thanks for letting me vent/rant.
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