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Determining Age of Fuel Tank
Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 6:42 pm
by DJ_Ambrose
How can the age of a fuel tank in a 1988 REVENGE 22 Walk-Through be easily determined?
I may buy a 1988 REVENGE Walk-Through from a dealer. The salesman does not know if the fuel tank has been replaced. If the fuel tank has not been replaced, there is a 100-percent chance it is leaking.
Re: Determining Age of Fuel Tank
Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 6:48 pm
by Phil T
There is a good chance [the fuel tank on a 1988 REVENGE 22 Walk-Through] has not been replaced, is not leaking, and does not need to be replaced.
Remove the inspection ports and look at for the manufacturer's label. Should say Florida Marine Tanks (FMT)
If the tank top is wicked clean with no grime, there is a good probability it has been replaced.
Another tell is look for a date stamp on the fuel fill, vent and supply hoses. If there is no date, they have not been replaced recently.
Another tell is newer hose is labeled "alcohol resistant."
Re: Determining Age of Fuel Tank
Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 7:45 pm
by DJ_Ambrose
Thank for you the advice.
Re: Determining Age of Fuel Tank
Posted: Wed May 13, 2020 4:41 am
by jimh
The notion that all fuel tanks in all c.1988 Boston Whaler boats are now leaking is rather crazy. The condition of the fuel tank in a c.1988 Boston Whaler boat is dependent on the care the boat was given in the past 32 years and how it was used.
Metal fuel tanks in Boston Whaler boats from c.1988 were made by Florida Marine Tanks. Generally there is a clearly visible metallic label attached to the fuel tank that will show the date of production of the fuel tank.
It is quite possible that the fuel tank surface will be pristine, the label will be clearly visible and easily read, the fuel tank is in fine condition, and the fuel tank is the original fuel tank as installed by Boston Whaler when the boat was built. All depends on the care taken in using the boat.
A c.1988 boat should have original fuel hoses that are marked alcohol resistant. Marine fuel hose after c.1987 was required to be rated as alcohol resistant. Also, marine fuel hoses are required to show their date of manufacture and the USCG category of hose. A typical fuel hose would indicate USCG Rated A1/A2/B1/B2, date of manufacture, and declare Alcohol Resistant.
The presence of a fuel hose with a date newer than 1988 on a Boston Whaler boat made in c.1988 is not indicative the fuel tank has been replaced; it is just indicative the fuel hose was changed.