The Negative Effects of Ethanol on Fiberglass and Aluminum Boat Gas Tanks

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.

Contact: 732-269-1088​

Address: Atlantic Coastal Welding 16 Butler Blvd Bayville, NJ 08721