2014 R31 CB - Fuel Tank Material

[Happy Place]

Can someone tell me if the diesel tank is aluminum or plastic?

Another question...we're North of Boston and for winter storage I've been told to fill the diesel tank to minimize the condensation buildup....is that correct?

I have about 75 gallons on board and all marinas in my area have shut down for the winter....thoughts?

 

[JeffreyAC77]

Living in Seattle, we do not need to winterize our boats but we are advised to fill the fuel tank over the winter months to minimize/avoid condensation. I have done this over the past two winters with good results.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi there,

Jeffrey is correct on the fuel level in the tank. As for the tank material, it is a roto-molded plastic. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[snydzy]

So is condensation in the tank a myth?….
Seems to be: https://marinehowto.com/does-an-empty-m ... ondensate/

 

[SJI Sailor]

Interesting, although that article appears to discuss a completely empty tank. If I read correctly, it notes "FACT: Even the fuel in a full tank can reach a “saturation point” where it can absorb water into the fuel."

So my take is that a tank with any fuel can absorb water. It's unclear how much being nearly full will help with that -- but it has not seemed to hurt to be full when in the water. I also like having it full just in case of whatever (power outage etc).

We add diesel additive and also try to go boating as much as possible over the winter -- easier in the PNW than NE to be sure. Good for the engine and for topping off with fresh fuel.

 

[Submariner]

If the tank is mostly full, there's not much air on top of the tank for moisture to condense from.

 

[barbeque2]

Definitely add Bio-side to the tank. How a living organ can survive in a dark place between oil and water is beyond me. It will clog your fuel intake. Also since our fuel is also heating oil you could get a delivery from a oil company if on the hard. Good luck with your tug.

 

[FlyMeAway]

So is condensation in the tank a myth?….
Seems to be: https://marinehowto.com/does-an-empty-m ... ondensate/

With all due respect to Mainesail (and there is much respect!) there has been lots of talk in the sailing forums about how his experiment isn't necessarily dispositive. The issue isn't condensation in the tank filling the tank with water (this is unlikely), but rather moisture in the air encouraging fungal or bacterial growth in the fuel (which creates gunk that is not good). So a better experiment would have been a half-full tank and a full tank, with the growth measured at the end of the season.

The only anecdote I have to go on is from when I was a liveaboard in the PNW and used my diesel heater for most of the winter. The 20 gallon diesel tank on my sailboat would usually last between sails/trips to the fuel dock. I was not as religious about Biobor as I probably should have been, and there was enough gunk in my diesel tank after a few years to cause a major issue. YMMV.