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Author Topic:   Plastic vs Fiberglass and ethanol

MikMal posted 03-04-2014 06:53 AM ET (US)
I recently bought a 2000 Dauntless 22 that has a plastic fuel tank. I thought I was safe since I've read about ethanol affecting fiberglass only but now I'm thinking I may have been wrong; that the plastic tanks are affected as well. Does anyone know if the factory installed tanks from a 2000 boat are affected by ethanol? I'll be using the boat for half the year in Florida where I can get ethanol-free gas but for the other part of a year I'll be in Maryland where you can't get gas that doesn't contain ethanol.

Jefecinco posted 03-04-2014 08:21 AM ET (US)
The plastic tanks have not been affected by ethanol. I believe even the 2014 Boston Whalers are sold with virtually the same tanks. My previously owned 1999 Dauntless 16 had the same tank and the now owner tells me he has had no problems. My current 2009 190 Montauk has the same tank and is trouble free.
Don't worry and enjoy your Dauntless.
Butch
contender posted 03-04-2014 08:25 AM ET (US)
Mik: This has been discuss here before, and for some reason the ethanol will eat the fiberglass tank and depending on which plastic tank you have it does the same. Ends up causing damage to your engine/fuel system. Some people here are die hard whaler fans and want to keep their boats as close to factory as possible. I think unless you are going to keep the boat in the garage and only show it this would be fine, I build my boat for my needs and wants so its a custom whaler. A custom Alum. fuel tank is the way to go, stronger and safer. Build the tank out of .125 thickness, your custom tank can be built in any shape and size. You can have your fuel fills and vents anywhere you want. Do this and you will never have to worry about a fuel tank again...
jollyrog305 posted 03-04-2014 10:44 AM ET (US)
Mik,
Not sure where you will boating in Maryland, but there are a handful of gas stations that sell non-ethanol gasoline - http://www.buyrealgas.com/Maryland.html. I also was under the impression that Maryland only sold ethanol until recently when I was speaking to a Mercury mechanic who informed me of the one in Easton, MD. You could always call to confirm…
Tom W Clark posted 03-04-2014 10:46 AM ET (US)
The fuel tank in a 2000 Dauntless 22 will not be affected by E10.
Aluminum fuel tanks have their own problems and liabilities.
Tom W Clark posted 03-04-2014 10:47 AM ET (US)
http://pure-gas.org/
MikMal posted 03-04-2014 06:25 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the replies and especially the links to the non-ethanol stations in Maryland. Sounds like I shouldn't have an issue but none the less would like to run straight gas on it whenever I could.
Binkster posted 03-05-2014 09:08 AM ET (US)
Tom sez, Aluminum fuel tanks have their own problems and liabilities.
Over time they tend to develop corrosion and pin holes when they are installed below deck and the bottom is immersed in bilge water. Installed on deck they should not cause a problem.
rich

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Author	Topic: Plastic vs Fiberglass and ethanol
MikMal	posted 03-04-2014 06:53 AM ET (US) I recently bought a 2000 Dauntless 22 that has a plastic fuel tank. I thought I was safe since I've read about ethanol affecting fiberglass only but now I'm thinking I may have been wrong; that the plastic tanks are affected as well. Does anyone know if the factory installed tanks from a 2000 boat are affected by ethanol? I'll be using the boat for half the year in Florida where I can get ethanol-free gas but for the other part of a year I'll be in Maryland where you can't get gas that doesn't contain ethanol.
Jefecinco	posted 03-04-2014 08:21 AM ET (US) The plastic tanks have not been affected by ethanol. I believe even the 2014 Boston Whalers are sold with virtually the same tanks. My previously owned 1999 Dauntless 16 had the same tank and the now owner tells me he has had no problems. My current 2009 190 Montauk has the same tank and is trouble free. Don't worry and enjoy your Dauntless. Butch
contender	posted 03-04-2014 08:25 AM ET (US) Mik: This has been discuss here before, and for some reason the ethanol will eat the fiberglass tank and depending on which plastic tank you have it does the same. Ends up causing damage to your engine/fuel system. Some people here are die hard whaler fans and want to keep their boats as close to factory as possible. I think unless you are going to keep the boat in the garage and only show it this would be fine, I build my boat for my needs and wants so its a custom whaler. A custom Alum. fuel tank is the way to go, stronger and safer. Build the tank out of .125 thickness, your custom tank can be built in any shape and size. You can have your fuel fills and vents anywhere you want. Do this and you will never have to worry about a fuel tank again...
jollyrog305	posted 03-04-2014 10:44 AM ET (US) Mik, Not sure where you will boating in Maryland, but there are a handful of gas stations that sell non-ethanol gasoline - http://www.buyrealgas.com/Maryland.html. I also was under the impression that Maryland only sold ethanol until recently when I was speaking to a Mercury mechanic who informed me of the one in Easton, MD. You could always call to confirm…
Tom W Clark	posted 03-04-2014 10:46 AM ET (US) The fuel tank in a 2000 Dauntless 22 will not be affected by E10. Aluminum fuel tanks have their own problems and liabilities.
Tom W Clark	posted 03-04-2014 10:47 AM ET (US) http://pure-gas.org/
MikMal	posted 03-04-2014 06:25 PM ET (US) Thanks for the replies and especially the links to the non-ethanol stations in Maryland. Sounds like I shouldn't have an issue but none the less would like to run straight gas on it whenever I could.
Binkster	posted 03-05-2014 09:08 AM ET (US) Tom sez, Aluminum fuel tanks have their own problems and liabilities. Over time they tend to develop corrosion and pin holes when they are installed below deck and the bottom is immersed in bilge water. Installed on deck they should not cause a problem. rich