LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The remedy for this scenario, albeit
a partial one, is to periodically run the
engines at cruising rpm ( 15 minutes
or so out of every four hours is a
good rule of thumb). You could do
this when you’re an hour into your
passage, and again an hour before you
arrive at your destination. Also, carry
out regular oil analysis with every oil
change to identify contamination
issues before they become critical.
Finally, plan on shortening by
approximately 25 percent the time
between manufacturer-recommended
maintenance tasks such as oil
changes, injector service, and turbo
and intercooler inspections/cleaning
(for instance, shortening a 200-hour
oil change interval to 150 hours).
—Steve D’Antonio
39
PILOTHOUSE
UNBEATABLE VALUE
$299,000US
WELL EQUIPPED
FUEL TANK INSTALLATION
I am a subscriber to your
magazine, which I always enjoy
reading cover to cover. I’ve just
finished reading your article on
fuel tank construction materials
and would like to get your opinion
on something. I’m finishing a new
lobsterboat that has a builder-installed, 200-gallon fiberglass fuel
tank that is molded into the hull.
I’ve called the builder to try to verify
the resin used in the tank but cannot
get a reply. (I suspect the resin is
polyester, like the rest of the hull.)
The engine is an ’05 mechanical
440hp Yanmar. I’ve been reading
every article I can find relative to
the possible introduction of ethanol
to diesel fuel. Since the deck is not
yet installed, I would like to know
if you recommend cutting out the
fiberglass tank and replacing it with
an aluminum tank.
Your thoughts on this topic would
be greatly appreciated.
Capt. Ken Alberigi
Groveland, Massachusetts
$369,000US
WELL EQUIPPED
In short, fiberglass (often referred
to as FRP, or fiberglass-reinforced
plastic) is an excellent material for
diesel fuel tank construction. It’s
durable and corrosion resistant. I’ve
worked on 35-year-old motor vessels
whose fiberglass tanks, after having
been cleaned out, appeared to be in
as good a shape as the day they were
built. Diesel fuel that’s had ethanol
added to it, referred to as E diesel,
presents a problem for FRP tanks
in much the same way that E10
gasoline has ravaged FRP gasoline
tanks. However, E diesel has many
other serious and far-reaching
ramifications for diesel-powered
vessels, including those with aluminum
tanks, not the least of which is its
near-gasoline-like flammability. My
hope and belief is that E diesel will
never become a reality.
