Using ethanol-based fuel can be risky for your boat as well
as for you while sailing. In many states, this type of fuel has become
prevalent due to its inexpensiveness and easy availability. While there are
still some states considering mandating it, you should be aware of the negative
effects of using ethanol-based gasoline fuel in the aluminum gas tanks and fiberglass tanks.
Ethanol can be combined with gasoline in varying quantity
ranging from E10 up to E85. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in
2010 allowed vehicles that are built after 2001 to use an intermediate blend of
ethanol E15 and vehicles like motorcycles and boats of before 2001 model year
remain finite with 10 percent ethanol (E10) use.
There are more than 15 million boats being used in the US,
as of 2016 statist a report. Most of the boat manufacturers use five types of
materials for "boat gas tanks" that
include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, fiberglass, and high-density polyethylene.
If you have owned a boat and using gasoline fuel that
containing more than 10 percent of ethanol, it can impact your boat’s engine
and fuel container dramatically especially if the engine is not designed to
support high-ethanol content blend fuel.
Aluminum Gas Tanks
Though boat gas tanks that are made from aluminum material
are considered highly safe and reliable to store gasoline when they are filled
with exceeding levels of ethanol-based fuel, it can cause them to rust. Ethanol
is a hygroscopic compound that absorbs moisture directly from the atmosphere.
The condensation increases the chance of eroding oxide film of the metal and
invites corrosion to form. Corrosion damages the fuel tank, injectors, and
engine components. However, the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC)
recommend applying a protective coating to aluminum fuel tanks to prevent
corrosion from saltwater.
Fiberglass tanks
Usually, you are never recommended to put ethanol fuel in
fiberglass tanks. It is a strong solvent and deteriorates fiberglass, clogs
filters, and create sludge in the engine components. Ethanol can be used to
clean out accumulated gunk and dirt from the fuel lines, carburetors, and Generator tanks but with the particular
levels found in the E10 fuel, it gradually dissolves the tank material.
Atlantic Coastal Welding has over 41 years of experience
building and repairing aluminum, steel, and stainless steel tanks for all boats.
You can contact us for more information about our product and prices.
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