GRP Fuel Tanks

rickuk3 · 12 February 2008, 21:14

Has anyone any experience of GRP fuel tanks, I had planned to have a metal under floor tank made, but my friendly local GRP fabricator has sugested that he could make one for less that would be just as strong and safe, he has made them for special vehicles before with no problems, I have never seen any mention of them on RIBS on here.
Richard

jwalker · 12 February 2008, 21:21

Yep. Do a search, there's stuff about them somewhere here.

Limey Linda · 12 February 2008, 21:24

Hi Rick
GRP fuel tanks are a big NO NO NO. If the fuel has ethanol in it even 10% it will gradually disolve the GRP. Big problem over here.
Regards. T

Matt · 12 February 2008, 22:06

What about epoxy rather than polyester?

Limey Linda · 12 February 2008, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

What about epoxy rather than polyester?

Dunno but see report below

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp#fiberglass

codprawn · 12 February 2008, 22:33

Yes ethanol in fuel is a problem but a lot of petrol stations have GRP tanks!!!

Matt · 12 February 2008, 22:37

Report specifically refers to styrene & polyster.
I tried to google it but couldn't find anything specifically referencing ethanol & epoxy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Dunno but see report below

http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/fueltest.asp#fiberglass

Hightower · 13 February 2008, 17:51

I've got a 200 litre one under the deck of my RIB.

Just have to remember what you have under the deck when your screwing things down

Endeavour · 13 February 2008, 19:39

You can use a derakane resin to build the fuel tank. It is a vynlester resin and is a far superior resin to your standard polyester resins.

Cookee · 14 February 2008, 13:46

As a boat builder as far as we are aware you can only have diesel in a fibreglass fuel tank.

bedajim · 14 March 2008, 10:53

So did anyone ever find out if the fibreglass tanks are ok or possible floating bombs

paul tilley · 14 March 2008, 13:08

fibre glass fuel tanks have been used for years in ribs .but you must use the correct materials then petrol is no problem .best talk to a decent grp supplier for info on correct materials and then let us all know

rickuk3 · 14 March 2008, 19:52

Having had long long discussions with our GRP guy he has convinced me that there is no problem making a fuel tank from GRP if correctly manufactured from the correct materials, and having seen pictures of fuel tanks he has made for other applications he will be making the underdeck tank for the rib. He does have an incentive to get it right!! it would be a career inhibiting move to blow the bosses boat up and even more career inhibiting to blow the boss up with the boat

My main concern was the strength of the tank considering the pounding the boat is likely to get, but once again he has convinced me that with the right construction it will not be a problem.
Watch this space

codprawn · 14 March 2008, 21:18

GRP tanks have certain advantages - stainless and ali tanks can fracture quite easily with the constant pounding.

Limey Linda · 14 March 2008, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

GRP tanks have certain advantages - stainless and ali tanks can fracture quite easily with the constant pounding.

Please enlighten us oh wise one. How did you figure that one out. Let's have some facts please.

jwalker · 14 March 2008, 21:45

I agree with codders, I can't speak for aluminium alloys but stainless can certainly be a problem. Given that many aluminium alloys age harden and work harden then.....

yorfuoj · 14 March 2008, 22:21

I don't know if you have to follow the CE rules for boat manufacturing or fitting !

But ...

Within CE there are regulations saying that a number of equipments, like tanks, MUST be approved by an certification center, like Veritas, ICNN, Rina, et ... and they must be individually labelled with the approval certification.
When one imports a boat from a non-CE country, the tank must be approved too, and the certificate should be given with the boat.

So, if one wants to build his own tank, stainless, alu, GRP, PE, it is illegal, and in case of fire, the 1st thing to be controlled is the tank plate ! Not approved = no insurance !

If the fire destroyed your own boat, you gained a boat - but if it destroyed several yachts too, are you able to pay ...?

howe · 14 March 2008, 22:44

To my knowledge Scorpion ribs have been building them in GRP for ages with few problems. Not sure what resin they use. Gavin

Poly · 14 March 2008, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorfuoj

Within CE there are regulations saying that a number of equipments, like tanks, MUST be approved by an certification center, like Veritas, ICNN, Rina, et ... and they must be individually labelled with the approval certification.

are you sure? I am no expert but I thought that this is what is said:

5.2.2. Fuel tanks

Fuel tanks, lines and hoses shall be secured and separated or protected from any source of significant heat. The material the tanks are made of and their method of construction shall be according to their capacity and the type of fuel. All tank spaces shall be ventilated

Petrol fuel shall be kept in tanks which do not form part of the hull and are:
(a) insulated from the engine compartment and from all other source of ignition;
(b) separated from living quarters;

Diesel fuel may be kept in tanks that are integral with the hull.’;

see http://www.icomia.com/technical-info...2003-44-EC.pdf

rickuk3 · 14 March 2008, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorfuoj

I don't know if you have to follow the CE rules for boat manufacturing or fitting !

But ...

Within CE there are regulations saying that a number of equipments, like tanks, MUST be approved by an certification center, like Veritas, ICNN, Rina, et ... and they must be individually labelled with the approval certification.
When one imports a boat from a non-CE country, the tank must be approved too, and the certificate should be given with the boat.

So, if one wants to build his own tank, stainless, alu, GRP, PE, it is illegal, and in case of fire, the 1st thing to be controlled is the tank plate ! Not approved = no insurance !

If the fire destroyed your own boat, you gained a boat - but if it destroyed several yachts too, are you able to pay ...?

A boat does not need to comply with the RCD if:-
It is one of the craft listed in the exclusions list.
It was built in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
It was in use in the EEA prior to 16 June 1998.
It is a home built boat and not placed on the market within five years of completion.
Richard