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Author Topic:   Pate Plastics On-deck Fuel Tank

Bamaskeetshooter posted 01-16-2015 06:21 PM ET (US)
I just bought a 1994 15' Whaler. It came with a Pate Plastics 9-gallon fuel tank. The owner told me he bought the tank after he had trouble with his old Pate tank. The tank has a sticker that says don't use Methanol fuel. Do you think this tank is okay for non-ethanol fuels?
jimh posted 01-16-2015 06:33 PM ET (US)
Yes. Pate Plastics fiberglass fuel tanks were used for decades with gasoline fuel.
Jefecinco posted 01-16-2015 07:21 PM ET (US)
In Baldwin County we enjoy many gasoline outlets that sell non-ethanol or marine fuel at a considerable mark up. To be fair it is usually mid-grade so is higher anyway. It's the only fuel I use in my boats, lawn equipment and emergency generator. Even with marine fuel it is recommended to use Stabil or a similar product and I do so.
If you have trouble finding the fuel in B'ham you can probably find it at the outlets close to the lakes up there.
Enjoy that 15.
Butch
contender posted 01-16-2015 07:44 PM ET (US)
I would junk the tank and get one that does not fall apart, why do you want to run crap through you engine, why take the chance?
Tom C posted 01-17-2015 10:37 AM ET (US)
Last year I bought a 1988 15 SUPER SPORT which had a 15-gallon Pate Plastics tank. I replaced it with a new tank because I didn't want to take a chance. I also replaced all fuel lines.
Dave Sutton posted 01-17-2015 11:56 AM ET (US)
Pate tanks are the *Cadillac* of tanks if you can obtain alchohol free gasoline. If you can get pure gas, use the tank with pride. It's a very high quality piece of equipment and in the pre-ethonol world was considered a VERY hoghoy regarded upgrade to any Whaler.
With ethanol, it'll dissolve the resin used to manufacture the tank, and that will leave fiberglass resin clogging your fuel filter, and if you don't have a filter it'll clog your engines fuel system.
The guys who say "I'd junk it" aren't the guys who loved these pre-ethanol. They were very expensive, are very high quality, and still work perfectly *with the correct fuel*.

Dave
.
Dave Sutton posted 01-17-2015 11:58 AM ET (US)
^^
To add: If the tank has the "do not use with ethanol" sticker on it, it's one of the last (and best) Pate tanks ever built. If you don't want it, sell it to me. I want a pair of these to carry a supply bulk gasoline aboard my trawler to dispense by siphon hose into the tank of my inflatable tender when I'm cruising in the Bahamas. No ethanol here!

Dave
.
Bamaskeetshooter posted 01-17-2015 04:39 PM ET (US)
Thanks Dave, I was thinking the same thing. If the label mentions ethanol and methonal, it must be one of their late tanks.
I'm going to rinse it out with some ethanol free gas and use it!
Jefecinco posted 01-17-2015 07:13 PM ET (US)
Smart decision.
AllanR posted 01-17-2015 07:14 PM ET (US)
I have had a 24 gallon Pate tank in my 1994 Montauk since day one.
Since the problem of ethanol began I have always used ethanol free gas which is available at the marinas, or a few gas stations in town.
Never had a problem with it. I put Stabil in the gas.
I don't want any ethanol in my fuel system.
FlyAU98 posted 01-19-2015 07:10 PM ET (US)
Do you know for a fact that ethanol has has never been in it? It could be breaking down already...
I
martyn1075 posted 01-19-2015 09:39 PM ET (US)
Its a natural concern I would be to if I was buying a boat of that age. Many years and possibly many owner have been through it and you never know what was used. Probably safe to say at some point a tank of 1994 has seen both ethanol and non ethanol gas. Do we really know if the tank was treated? I would say have it looked at if its good use the best gas possible as already mentioned and you will be fine.

Dave Sutton posted 01-20-2015 12:12 AM ET (US)
"I'm going to rinse it out with some ethanol free gas and use it!"

Good plan. I suspect you'll enjoy many happy years out of it. Those who obsess over what "might" have happened in the past have never likely worked with these. If they are bad, you can dump slimy goo out of them. No goo? You're good to go.

Dave
.
Dave Sutton posted 01-20-2015 12:14 AM ET (US)
"Many years and possibly many owner have been through it"

The author of the original post purchased it from the original owner of thre tank. Read his first post for context and comprehension...
Dave
.
contender posted 01-20-2015 03:42 PM ET (US)
Dave: a Cadillac fuel tank is a tank that lasts and does not matter what fuel you put in it, It does not require a sticker for adding the correct fuel. To me the cadillac of fuel tanks is an aluminum custom built out of .125. I have a fuel tank (Aluminum custom) that was built in 1975 and is still being used today on an older 16/7 whaler...How many 40 year old fuel tanks are still out there, and are still being used?
martyn1075 posted 01-20-2015 03:47 PM ET (US)
"Read his first post for context and comprehension..."
Wow! Yes sir
I think I was just trying to help out here lol and not get into a context issue. Its a Whaler website for helping not an english class. Miss understanding happens all the time and we look past it normally.

Dave Sutton posted 01-20-2015 08:29 PM ET (US)
^^ No offense intended, all I intended to say is that in this particular case the new owner bought from the opriginal owner, and the prior use of the tank is apparently known and is not a mystery.
These tanks don't magically disintegrate upon first exposure to ethanol mix fuel. Their degredation is slow and progressive, and if even if they have been used occasionally with ethanol mix, they still are generally good to use forever with straight gasoline.
Contender, an aluminum tank is a Rolls Royce.. ;-)

Dave
.
tedious posted 01-21-2015 11:24 AM ET (US)
I'd lose the Pate tank, myself. All it takes is an error on your part or at the fuel supplier and you potentially have a big problem. I guess I might risk it if you have a carbed motor, as all you'd have to do is rebuild the carbs - but it it's fuel injected, it could be a major hassle and expense.
Up to you of course - just be glad you have the choice, unlike here in New England where all gas, marine or otherwise, has ethanol in it. In Massachusetts, home of the country's most brain-dead, knee-jerk liberal legislature, it's illegal to offer gas without ethanol!
Tim
Dave Sutton posted 01-21-2015 06:57 PM ET (US)
^^ In many places ethanol free marine gasoline is the norm, and even many gas stations near the water sell "boat fuel" right at the pump. So if good fuel is available, it's easy to avoid a "mistake". I buy hundreds of gallons of ethanol free fuel every year.
Also, as I said above, these tanks only degrade after CONTINUED and CONTINUOUS use of fuel containing ethanol. Single exposure or intermittant use is not a worry at all.

Dave
.
Liteamorn posted 01-21-2015 07:54 PM ET (US)
Do not use Pate tanks with Ethanol fuel even if the sticker on it says it is ok for ethanol (I forget the exact wording). I bought a replacement for my old Pate after talking to a Pate rep. who informed me that the tanks were ethanol compliant. All they did was put a sticker that said it was on the old tanks before they went out of business. I know the guy that bought my Montauk (and Pate tank) and the tank is a mess.
Dave Sutton posted 01-22-2015 12:56 AM ET (US)
^^ *This* is true.
Towards the end of their run, Pate changed their resin in hopes of continuing to produce their tanks, and failed at the attempt. None of their tanks should be used with ethanol gasoline for other than intermittant or occasional use. *Continuous* use will dissolve the resin in the fiberglass and clog filters and carb jets. This is no different than what happened to many built-in fuel tanks manufactured from fiberglass when the new fuels became the norm in the areas where they are used. Fiberglass and straight gas = OK. Ethanol = Bad.

Dave
.
ratherwhalering posted 01-23-2015 02:50 PM ET (US)
In July 2006, Pate began manufacturing their tanks with Hetron-FR998 INF-25 and added a yellow sticker on the left top side of the tank that states "enthonol resistant". I have one of the few that were produced using Hetron-FR998 INF-25, and have had no problems with the tank. Pate closed its manufacturing facility shortly thereafter.
jimh posted 01-25-2015 12:20 AM ET (US)
RATHERWHALERING and LITEAMORN--many thanks for the first-hand information you have provided about the Pate Plastic fuel tanks made with special resin.

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Author	Topic: Pate Plastics On-deck Fuel Tank
Bamaskeetshooter	posted 01-16-2015 06:21 PM ET (US) I just bought a 1994 15' Whaler. It came with a Pate Plastics 9-gallon fuel tank. The owner told me he bought the tank after he had trouble with his old Pate tank. The tank has a sticker that says don't use Methanol fuel. Do you think this tank is okay for non-ethanol fuels?
jimh	posted 01-16-2015 06:33 PM ET (US) Yes. Pate Plastics fiberglass fuel tanks were used for decades with gasoline fuel.
Jefecinco	posted 01-16-2015 07:21 PM ET (US) In Baldwin County we enjoy many gasoline outlets that sell non-ethanol or marine fuel at a considerable mark up. To be fair it is usually mid-grade so is higher anyway. It's the only fuel I use in my boats, lawn equipment and emergency generator. Even with marine fuel it is recommended to use Stabil or a similar product and I do so. If you have trouble finding the fuel in B'ham you can probably find it at the outlets close to the lakes up there. Enjoy that 15. Butch
contender	posted 01-16-2015 07:44 PM ET (US) I would junk the tank and get one that does not fall apart, why do you want to run crap through you engine, why take the chance?
Tom C	posted 01-17-2015 10:37 AM ET (US) Last year I bought a 1988 15 SUPER SPORT which had a 15-gallon Pate Plastics tank. I replaced it with a new tank because I didn't want to take a chance. I also replaced all fuel lines.
Dave Sutton	posted 01-17-2015 11:56 AM ET (US) Pate tanks are the Cadillac of tanks if you can obtain alchohol free gasoline. If you can get pure gas, use the tank with pride. It's a very high quality piece of equipment and in the pre-ethonol world was considered a VERY hoghoy regarded upgrade to any Whaler. With ethanol, it'll dissolve the resin used to manufacture the tank, and that will leave fiberglass resin clogging your fuel filter, and if you don't have a filter it'll clog your engines fuel system. The guys who say "I'd junk it" aren't the guys who loved these pre-ethanol. They were very expensive, are very high quality, and still work perfectly with the correct fuel. Dave .
Dave Sutton	posted 01-17-2015 11:58 AM ET (US) ^^ To add: If the tank has the "do not use with ethanol" sticker on it, it's one of the last (and best) Pate tanks ever built. If you don't want it, sell it to me. I want a pair of these to carry a supply bulk gasoline aboard my trawler to dispense by siphon hose into the tank of my inflatable tender when I'm cruising in the Bahamas. No ethanol here! Dave .
Bamaskeetshooter	posted 01-17-2015 04:39 PM ET (US) Thanks Dave, I was thinking the same thing. If the label mentions ethanol and methonal, it must be one of their late tanks. I'm going to rinse it out with some ethanol free gas and use it!
Jefecinco	posted 01-17-2015 07:13 PM ET (US) Smart decision.
AllanR	posted 01-17-2015 07:14 PM ET (US) I have had a 24 gallon Pate tank in my 1994 Montauk since day one. Since the problem of ethanol began I have always used ethanol free gas which is available at the marinas, or a few gas stations in town. Never had a problem with it. I put Stabil in the gas. I don't want any ethanol in my fuel system.
FlyAU98	posted 01-19-2015 07:10 PM ET (US) Do you know for a fact that ethanol has has never been in it? It could be breaking down already... I
martyn1075	posted 01-19-2015 09:39 PM ET (US) Its a natural concern I would be to if I was buying a boat of that age. Many years and possibly many owner have been through it and you never know what was used. Probably safe to say at some point a tank of 1994 has seen both ethanol and non ethanol gas. Do we really know if the tank was treated? I would say have it looked at if its good use the best gas possible as already mentioned and you will be fine.
Dave Sutton	posted 01-20-2015 12:12 AM ET (US) "I'm going to rinse it out with some ethanol free gas and use it!" Good plan. I suspect you'll enjoy many happy years out of it. Those who obsess over what "might" have happened in the past have never likely worked with these. If they are bad, you can dump slimy goo out of them. No goo? You're good to go. Dave .
Dave Sutton	posted 01-20-2015 12:14 AM ET (US) "Many years and possibly many owner have been through it" The author of the original post purchased it from the original owner of thre tank. Read his first post for context and comprehension... Dave .
contender	posted 01-20-2015 03:42 PM ET (US) Dave: a Cadillac fuel tank is a tank that lasts and does not matter what fuel you put in it, It does not require a sticker for adding the correct fuel. To me the cadillac of fuel tanks is an aluminum custom built out of .125. I have a fuel tank (Aluminum custom) that was built in 1975 and is still being used today on an older 16/7 whaler...How many 40 year old fuel tanks are still out there, and are still being used?
martyn1075	posted 01-20-2015 03:47 PM ET (US) "Read his first post for context and comprehension..." Wow! Yes sir I think I was just trying to help out here lol and not get into a context issue. Its a Whaler website for helping not an english class. Miss understanding happens all the time and we look past it normally.
Dave Sutton	posted 01-20-2015 08:29 PM ET (US) ^^ No offense intended, all I intended to say is that in this particular case the new owner bought from the opriginal owner, and the prior use of the tank is apparently known and is not a mystery. These tanks don't magically disintegrate upon first exposure to ethanol mix fuel. Their degredation is slow and progressive, and if even if they have been used occasionally with ethanol mix, they still are generally good to use forever with straight gasoline. Contender, an aluminum tank is a Rolls Royce.. ;-) Dave .
tedious	posted 01-21-2015 11:24 AM ET (US) I'd lose the Pate tank, myself. All it takes is an error on your part or at the fuel supplier and you potentially have a big problem. I guess I might risk it if you have a carbed motor, as all you'd have to do is rebuild the carbs - but it it's fuel injected, it could be a major hassle and expense. Up to you of course - just be glad you have the choice, unlike here in New England where all gas, marine or otherwise, has ethanol in it. In Massachusetts, home of the country's most brain-dead, knee-jerk liberal legislature, it's illegal to offer gas without ethanol! Tim
Dave Sutton	posted 01-21-2015 06:57 PM ET (US) ^^ In many places ethanol free marine gasoline is the norm, and even many gas stations near the water sell "boat fuel" right at the pump. So if good fuel is available, it's easy to avoid a "mistake". I buy hundreds of gallons of ethanol free fuel every year. Also, as I said above, these tanks only degrade after CONTINUED and CONTINUOUS use of fuel containing ethanol. Single exposure or intermittant use is not a worry at all. Dave .
Liteamorn	posted 01-21-2015 07:54 PM ET (US) Do not use Pate tanks with Ethanol fuel even if the sticker on it says it is ok for ethanol (I forget the exact wording). I bought a replacement for my old Pate after talking to a Pate rep. who informed me that the tanks were ethanol compliant. All they did was put a sticker that said it was on the old tanks before they went out of business. I know the guy that bought my Montauk (and Pate tank) and the tank is a mess.
Dave Sutton	posted 01-22-2015 12:56 AM ET (US) ^^ This is true. Towards the end of their run, Pate changed their resin in hopes of continuing to produce their tanks, and failed at the attempt. None of their tanks should be used with ethanol gasoline for other than intermittant or occasional use. Continuous use will dissolve the resin in the fiberglass and clog filters and carb jets. This is no different than what happened to many built-in fuel tanks manufactured from fiberglass when the new fuels became the norm in the areas where they are used. Fiberglass and straight gas = OK. Ethanol = Bad. Dave .
ratherwhalering	posted 01-23-2015 02:50 PM ET (US) In July 2006, Pate began manufacturing their tanks with Hetron-FR998 INF-25 and added a yellow sticker on the left top side of the tank that states "enthonol resistant". I have one of the few that were produced using Hetron-FR998 INF-25, and have had no problems with the tank. Pate closed its manufacturing facility shortly thereafter.
jimh	posted 01-25-2015 12:20 AM ET (US) RATHERWHALERING and LITEAMORN--many thanks for the first-hand information you have provided about the Pate Plastic fuel tanks made with special resin.