fiberglass fuel tanks/ethanol

dembr · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:57 pm Post subject: fiberglass fuel tanks/ethanol

Marine surveyor reports apparent presence of fiberglass fuel tanks on a 2000, 22 foot cruiser and identifies the risk of harm to the fuel lines/motor due to ethanol-blended fuel.

Did C-Dory put fiberglass fuel tanks in their boats? Some reports on ths subject at BOATUS seem to indicate problems in 70s vintage boats but perhaps newer resins don't break down.

Engine mechanic reports engine in good shape.

Comments and responses appreciated.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

dembr-

This has not been a problem in C-Dorys, as far as I can remember.

Most of the tanks installed have been Mollner brand polyethylene tanks, and the most common problems have been with sedimentation crud breaking loose with the ethanol, and a variety of problems otherwise, but noting out of the ordinary.

If you look in the Library Forum, you can find the Fuel Systems area of discussion that details the problems that have occurred.

Nice having you among the C-Brat crew!

Joe. Teeth

Byrdman · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:52 pm Post subject:

But if you are one of those looking for good deals on those older Grand Banks and some other "larger crusing trawler boats..." older house boats and the like..... ya might just slow down and make sure those older fiberglass tanks and been thru the R&R stage of life.

Have a friend who went thru this and it was a spendy experience at best.

Corn is food, not fuel.

Life is good.

Byrdman

Sea Wolf · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:21 pm Post subject:

Here's the photo of Rod's gas tanks in his boat.

I told him in a PM that I thought these looked like the standard later model Mollner polyethylene tanks, but couldn't be sure, as mine are different on my older '87 model Cd-22.

What do you all think?

Joe.

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

That looks like one of the standard tanks, but it is hard to tell from the pic. If the boat does have fiberglass tanks they were likely installed after the fact. I do not believe C-Dory ever used fiberglass for tanks. When I replaced the tanks in my CD22 with the latest style of molded plastic tanks it cost about $500 for the kit, so if the surveyor is sure they are glass and should be replaced, that will work for a negotiating price.

dembr · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:01 am Post subject:

Thanks guys. Really appreciate the info. Looking at buying this boat - but it's too far away for me to go see it.

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:37 am Post subject:

You bet! I hope it all works out for you. You took the right first step with the surveyor. Look at the For Sale forum and the Marketplace Reference forum on here to get some price comparison ideas.

Best of luck! We're glad to have you with us.

Papillon · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Has it crossed anyone's mind that maybe...just maybe....the survayor doesn't know the difference...between plastic and fiberglass. And that a second openion is in order.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:25 pm Post subject:

Hunkydory · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject:

starcrafttom · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:09 pm Post subject:

I doubt they are fiberglass but if they are things could be worst. With c-dory you could just pull them out and order new ones. Little bit of money but not much work. On a lot of older boats, big and small, glass tanks are built in and you are not able to pull them out, you have to cut them out or line them with something.

Ethanol is not good for your motor in any way shape or form. Today’s fuel nozzles are just too small to allow the water that attaches to the ethanol to pass. So far I have not had a lot of trouble but I always run the motors dry and I run the tanks dry whenever I can. This does not allow water to build up over time.

Washington only has 5% ethanol right now but the governor is working to get it to 10 to 15%.

If ethanol saves 5% in emissions but gives you 15% less fuel effeminacy (numbers very) are you really saving anything? I hope that someday in the near future politicians stop forcing us to subsidize farms with ethanol sells.

Corn is food not fuel, and not even good food at that. I quit eating corn all but two to three times a year. And I only eat the corn from Rogers’s farm.

thataway · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

I would seriously doubt that a 2000 C dory had fiberglass tanks, since all of the others have poly tanks.

As for a Surveyor not knowing the difference. Definately. I have seen a lot of surveyors who were not worth a hoot, and were unqualified. The marine surven industry is poorly regulated and there are a lot of incompetent surveyors...and there are a few good ones.

How did you find the surveyor?

dembr · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject: Thanks Again!

Appreciate all the responses. Great group.

I am checking with seller to see if they are original tanks. I don't want to badmouth the surveyor but I do have some questions about his conclusion (hence the post!); and that's as much as I'll say here....$400 later.

Again, thanks for taking the time to review and comment.

Wefings · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:55 pm Post subject:

Had you considered the surveyor may have had some relationship with ethanol?
Many of us in the marine industry do.........
Marc

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:39 am Post subject: