Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

[180shabah]

I have found an '85 Caparral 235 XLC that I am interested in, but it has a HUGE question mark hanging over it.

It has a fiberglass gas tank beneath the floor, so it is not an easy replacement. What I need to know before making an offer is whether or not this tank is going to be ethanol stable. Or will the resins start to break down and leave me with a gas leak in the bilge?

Thanks,
John

 

[Captain Ed]

Re: Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

All fiberglass tanks will eventually melt from E-10 gasoline. I spoke to the head engineer at the largest fiberglass supplier to the east coast boat building industry. He said the pre-1985 tanks will melt in months and post 1985 tanks will melt in a few years or less. They no longer supply resins to build fuel tanks for gasoline because of this.

 

[Pake]

Re: Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

I have just started ripping out my existing 1980 Chaparral boat. Mine has an aluminum tank. Were there specific models that had the fiberglass tanks?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

Welcome to iboats, both of you.

I appreciate your responses but I decided against purchasing this boat last summer.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

FYI, from Chaparral they have never built fiberglass gas tanks.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Fiberglass Gas Tank in a '85 Chap

I guess that is more confirmation that passing on that boat was a good decision.