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Author Topic:   Pate Tank Degeneration?

Traveller posted 08-24-2003 07:24 AM ET (US)
I went to a boat show yesterday and asked the BW dealer there about getting a Pate gas tank for the new 170 Montauk. He said that he didn't like Pate tanks because the fiberglass would degenerate inside the tank, go through the fuel line, and gunk up the outboard. He recommended a Tempo plastic tank instead. I've been reading this board for quite awhile, and have never seen anyone comment about having this problem with a Pate tank. Does anyone know if what he said about fiberglass tank degeneration is a possibility, or of he just doesn't like Pate for some reason? Thanks.
JFM posted 08-24-2003 10:10 AM ET (US)
That’s one of the most ridiculous things I ever heard. That’s like comparing apples to oranges.
Tempo is a good cheap tank, Pate is much better quality tank and at the price it should be. I had a 30+ year old Pate and never had a problem.
Was the salesman new? It sounds like he used to work at K-Mart;-).
Regards, Jay
glassman posted 08-24-2003 04:46 PM ET (US)
I'm sure there are pate tanks out there still in use that are probaly older then that stupid salesmen.I'm also sure that you wont find any tempo plastic tanks out ther older then your stupid salesmen. If there is, you can bet it's faded cracked or worn through from rubbing!!!
Traveller posted 08-24-2003 05:22 PM ET (US)
Thank you. These two replies are sufficient to convince me of what I already suspected about both the Pate fuel tank and the salesman. He claimed to read this forum occasionally, so he may find this topic and realize that he needs to invest a little time in research before speaking with authority on subjects about which he knows very little. Thankfully, my first contact with this dealership was with a different salesman, who though young, had the good sense to refer any questions he couldn't answer to someone with more experience. Thanks again.
Alan de la Houssaye posted 08-29-2003 05:10 PM ET (US)
My Pate Fuel Tank is 15 years old and looks as good as when it was first purchased with no problems.
andygere posted 08-31-2003 01:13 PM ET (US)
That salesman won't be working in the business for very long. I'm sure the margins on a premium tank like the Pate are better than the Tempo, which is available by mail order from dozens of sources. The Norcal Whaler dealer has Pate's on the shelf, and most of the classic Montauks I've seen rigged by them have a Pate under the seat.
captbone posted 08-31-2003 02:22 PM ET (US)
Last year at Jacob Javits boat show in the city, I was having an argument with a friend over which 13 ft whaler is better (old or new) in front of the whaler booth. A salesman heard this and pointed out a FACTORY REP. who he said would be able to settle this argument. We went over to this guy ( mid 40's, well dressed) and started talking to him about it. He claimed to have worked for whaler for years and assured us that the 13 whaler has not changed in the 40+ years that it has been made, and that my friends 1969 sport is the same hull as my 2002 sport. I asked him over and over, and he told me that it was the same, very strongly that it was the same hull. This was from a FACTORY REP, I just walked away! Once in a blue moon with you find someone who knows something, but most of the time they could not find their way out of a paper bag.
Gene in NC posted 08-31-2003 06:43 PM ET (US)
Back to the Pate tank. Don't know if you would call it degeneration but mine, assume '87 27, on Montauk has a crack port aft top corner that weeps when tank is more than 1/2 full.
mrdrago posted 09-01-2003 08:59 AM ET (US)
I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk that came with the red Pate tank. It's in pretty good shape and seems to work fine. The only problems I see is some wear in the outside fiberglass where it appears a little white in places. Like you can see the laminations of the fiberglass. Small and not a big deal. The other thing is the fuel cap wore out and need to replace it. Finally the main thing that needs replacing is the rubber piece at the bottom that keeps the tank from sliding. Over the years is deteriorated. All in all I think this tank should last another 10 years. O yes, and I do need to replace the stickers on the outside. Hope this helps. Sounds like they are really durable tanks.
Mark
mrdrago posted 09-01-2003 09:02 AM ET (US)
I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk that came with the red Pate tank. It's in pretty good shape and seems to work fine. The only problems I see is some wear in the outside fiberglass where it appears a little white in places. Like you can see the laminations of the fiberglass. Small and not a big deal. The other thing is the fuel cap wore out and need to replace it. Finally the main thing that needs replacing is the rubber piece at the bottom that keeps the tank from sliding. Over the years is deteriorated. All in all I think this tank should last another 10 years. O yes, and I do need to replace the stickers on the outside. Hope this helps. Sounds like they are really durable tanks.
Mark
mrdrago posted 09-03-2003 08:59 AM ET (US)
I was talking to a fiberglass repair guy today. He told me that by coating the old Pate tank with a clear coat of paint the white patches dissappear. I guess the white places on the tank are where the orignal clear coat has worn off. I have not tried this technique yet, but the guy has lots of experience and said it would work like a charm. I plan to test the idea on a small spot. I post this information for the benefit of others who might have older red Pate tanks.
Mark

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Author	Topic: Pate Tank Degeneration?
Traveller	posted 08-24-2003 07:24 AM ET (US) I went to a boat show yesterday and asked the BW dealer there about getting a Pate gas tank for the new 170 Montauk. He said that he didn't like Pate tanks because the fiberglass would degenerate inside the tank, go through the fuel line, and gunk up the outboard. He recommended a Tempo plastic tank instead. I've been reading this board for quite awhile, and have never seen anyone comment about having this problem with a Pate tank. Does anyone know if what he said about fiberglass tank degeneration is a possibility, or of he just doesn't like Pate for some reason? Thanks.
JFM	posted 08-24-2003 10:10 AM ET (US) That’s one of the most ridiculous things I ever heard. That’s like comparing apples to oranges. Tempo is a good cheap tank, Pate is much better quality tank and at the price it should be. I had a 30+ year old Pate and never had a problem. Was the salesman new? It sounds like he used to work at K-Mart;-). Regards, Jay
glassman	posted 08-24-2003 04:46 PM ET (US) I'm sure there are pate tanks out there still in use that are probaly older then that stupid salesmen.I'm also sure that you wont find any tempo plastic tanks out ther older then your stupid salesmen. If there is, you can bet it's faded cracked or worn through from rubbing!!!
Traveller	posted 08-24-2003 05:22 PM ET (US) Thank you. These two replies are sufficient to convince me of what I already suspected about both the Pate fuel tank and the salesman. He claimed to read this forum occasionally, so he may find this topic and realize that he needs to invest a little time in research before speaking with authority on subjects about which he knows very little. Thankfully, my first contact with this dealership was with a different salesman, who though young, had the good sense to refer any questions he couldn't answer to someone with more experience. Thanks again.
Alan de la Houssaye	posted 08-29-2003 05:10 PM ET (US) My Pate Fuel Tank is 15 years old and looks as good as when it was first purchased with no problems.
andygere	posted 08-31-2003 01:13 PM ET (US) That salesman won't be working in the business for very long. I'm sure the margins on a premium tank like the Pate are better than the Tempo, which is available by mail order from dozens of sources. The Norcal Whaler dealer has Pate's on the shelf, and most of the classic Montauks I've seen rigged by them have a Pate under the seat.
captbone	posted 08-31-2003 02:22 PM ET (US) Last year at Jacob Javits boat show in the city, I was having an argument with a friend over which 13 ft whaler is better (old or new) in front of the whaler booth. A salesman heard this and pointed out a FACTORY REP. who he said would be able to settle this argument. We went over to this guy ( mid 40's, well dressed) and started talking to him about it. He claimed to have worked for whaler for years and assured us that the 13 whaler has not changed in the 40+ years that it has been made, and that my friends 1969 sport is the same hull as my 2002 sport. I asked him over and over, and he told me that it was the same, very strongly that it was the same hull. This was from a FACTORY REP, I just walked away! Once in a blue moon with you find someone who knows something, but most of the time they could not find their way out of a paper bag.
Gene in NC	posted 08-31-2003 06:43 PM ET (US) Back to the Pate tank. Don't know if you would call it degeneration but mine, assume '87 27, on Montauk has a crack port aft top corner that weeps when tank is more than 1/2 full.
mrdrago	posted 09-01-2003 08:59 AM ET (US) I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk that came with the red Pate tank. It's in pretty good shape and seems to work fine. The only problems I see is some wear in the outside fiberglass where it appears a little white in places. Like you can see the laminations of the fiberglass. Small and not a big deal. The other thing is the fuel cap wore out and need to replace it. Finally the main thing that needs replacing is the rubber piece at the bottom that keeps the tank from sliding. Over the years is deteriorated. All in all I think this tank should last another 10 years. O yes, and I do need to replace the stickers on the outside. Hope this helps. Sounds like they are really durable tanks. Mark
mrdrago	posted 09-01-2003 09:02 AM ET (US) I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk that came with the red Pate tank. It's in pretty good shape and seems to work fine. The only problems I see is some wear in the outside fiberglass where it appears a little white in places. Like you can see the laminations of the fiberglass. Small and not a big deal. The other thing is the fuel cap wore out and need to replace it. Finally the main thing that needs replacing is the rubber piece at the bottom that keeps the tank from sliding. Over the years is deteriorated. All in all I think this tank should last another 10 years. O yes, and I do need to replace the stickers on the outside. Hope this helps. Sounds like they are really durable tanks. Mark
mrdrago	posted 09-03-2003 08:59 AM ET (US) I was talking to a fiberglass repair guy today. He told me that by coating the old Pate tank with a clear coat of paint the white patches dissappear. I guess the white places on the tank are where the orignal clear coat has worn off. I have not tried this technique yet, but the guy has lots of experience and said it would work like a charm. I plan to test the idea on a small spot. I post this information for the benefit of others who might have older red Pate tanks. Mark