Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard

Posted By: Harv
Date: Friday, 21 April 2006, at 9:44 p.m.

In Response To: Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard (andre fourrier - Louisiana)

Below is what I just sent to the Coast Guard via Walt's information.

Harv
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Ethanol in marine gasoline.
It has come to light that the addition of ethanol in marine gasoline has many potential risk factors not given due consideration. Due to the very nature of ethanol, several things are happening that didn't happen with non ethanol gasoline. Some of these things are desolving of resins in older fiberglass tanks. The etching of newer aluminum tanks. The cleansing affect of ethanol "cleaning" residue and varnish from tanks. The leaching of moisture due to gas tank regulations and venting, therby causing ethanol to leatch moisture from the atmosphere and seperate water from gas in the tanks. The biggest problem I see to boater safety is twofold. First, with the degradation of the fuel tanks, styrene from the fiberglass, varnish, water, sludge, and other assorted contaminates are working their way through the filters and being deposited on internal engine parts. These deposits can lead to catastrophic engine failure or shutdown. Thses failures usually happen without warning. Second and probably even more alarming is the deterioration of the tanks could possibly lead to tank failure including fuel leaks or outgassing and the potential explosion risks associated with this situation.
http://www.noreast.com/discussion/ViewTopic.cfm?page=1&startrow=1&topic_ID=26297

http://www.thehulltruth.com/search/query.asp?fid=0&action=search&searchforumid=all&keywords=ethanol&mode=1&subjects=1&author=&collapsethreads=1&days=6&datemode=3&custom-start=&custom-end=

http://www.Bertram31.com

All the above internet links have posts by hundreds of concerned/affected boaters from a variety of areas. the link below is from the BoatUS website showing test results from a study they conducted...

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp

Your report has been successfully submitted to the Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety. You should receive a response from that office within the next two weeks.
Your ticket number is: 04212006000002

Use this number when referencing your submission.

You may wish to print this page for your records.

Messages In This Thread

Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Walter Kaprielian -- Friday, 21 April 2006, at 8:21 p.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
andre fourrier - Louisiana -- Friday, 21 April 2006, at 8:34 p.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Harv -- Friday, 21 April 2006, at 9:44 p.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Walter Kaprielian -- Saturday, 22 April 2006, at 10:45 a.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Harv -- Saturday, 22 April 2006, at 7:26 p.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Walter Kaprielian -- Saturday, 22 April 2006, at 8:33 p.m.

Re: Ethanol and the Coast Guard
Capt. Dave Kosh -- Sunday, 23 April 2006, at 8:58 p.m.