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Hi Gents,
I am about to purchase my 1st powerboat..a 1997 17' Dauntless dual console.
I hear the new gas creates havoc with fiberglass fuel tanks. Does anyone know what material this boat should have for the fuel tank?
Another point of concern is this fuel eats away at some of the carberator parts and will cause them to leak. Is this accurate or an urban myth?
This boat has a 115 HP Evinrude.

What has the "test of time" revealed about this particular Whaler model?

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i'll take a stab at this.

in my opinion ethonal in our fuel is nothing but a bad thing. I've talked to countless people in the marine industy and read dozens of articles about this up and coming problem and the verdict has been bad.

i cant say for sure what fiberglass is prone to problems, but "older" glass tanks in for example bertrams are affected and the "experts" say if you think you may have a problem with your tank replace it asap.

mixing ethonal with the old gas is a big NO NO! i cant remember why, but in my reading and talking have learned not to mix.

from my understanding one of the main problems with ethonal is that it attracts moisture. because boats do not have pressurized fuel systems like automobiles our boat gas tanks need to have vents, and this is the main entry point for the mositure to get in.


long story short this is an issue that all boaters should keep an eye on, talk to mechanics, boatyards, and the likes they can give more info and things to watch out for.

"Preventative Tips"

i met a representative from Kinetic Labratories (based in Youngstown NY) at a marine industry show. we were both working exhibit booths so time was short but his company sells fuel treatment that they claim treats the water in the fuel among other things. This was the first I've heard of the treatment, but have purchased 2 cases for this coming summer. www.k100fueltreatment.com

A good fuel water seperating fuel filter is another important tool in combating this issue.

i'm certinally not an expert in the field, but hope this helps a little. and again i would strongly suggest that each boat owner do his/her own reserch and take actions to help prevent disaster.

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here is a good article on the subject
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum1/...12667.html
there are numberous other threads on the subject on that website.
I replaced my pate tank because it was so old and the ethanol situation. my Moeller tank is good so far.

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As opposed to hearing the opinions of so called "experts" from the east coast who are making all sorts of dire claims about ethanol-blended gas, maybe I can some perspective from someone who lives where ALL our gas has been an ethanol blend for close on to a decade.

Our outboards haven't disintegrated in the decade we have been using this fuel, in fact they run just fine on E10.

There are two things someone switching to ethanol-blends needs to be aware of.

1) Some fiberglass tanks were built with resins that will not stand up to ethanol. Ethanol is a solvent (as are many of the other constituents in regular motor gasoline) and some resins are not compatible with some solvents. The resins used in Pate tanks and those on older bertams are some. Metal and plastic tanks will be fine. No whalers were ever built with internal fiberglass tanks that I am aware of. Either aluminum or plastic.

2) The ethanol may dissolve "crud" found in dirty tanks, which may dissolve and then collect under certain circumstances in the fuel system. Note that this is not a problem with the ethanol, but with bad stuff that was put in the tanks previously.

So the moral is, clean your tanks and put a spin on filter and you should be fine.

David