Condensation in Fuel Tanks

[FreestyleBruce]

This time of year I am usually religious about having full tanks to avoid getting condensation in the fuel tanks when cold fronts give Tampa 40 degree temperature changes.

Unfortunately, I did not fill up last weekend and a cold front has blown through putting night time temperatures in the 30's and daytime highs in the 60's for a few days. With the wind blowing this hard I really don't feel like cruising across the bay to get fuel.

So, to minimize condensation, what should I do? I warmed everything up last night and left the heat on thinking that would help but then one of those old guys that hang out in the marina seeming to know everything told me that would hurt rather than help. He suggested duct taping over the fuel vents to limit air exchange.

Any thoughts?

Bruce

 

[PascalG]

condesation

i thought the fibeglass tanks used is all (?) hatts significantly reduced the risk on condensation?

Never thought much about it, www.yachtsurvey.com has an intersting article on this issue, or near non issue according to the article.'

56 this am in the salon, 60 in the master... gosh I wish the previous owner had installed condensing units with reverse cylce instead of the ocean breeze!!!

pascal
miami, fl
1970 53 MY

 

[mikep996]

Condensation

I think this whole condensation in fuel tanks thing is a non-issue. Fuel going bad is a much bigger problem. As Pascal noted, David Pascoe pretty clearly provides evidence of how absurd it all is:

www.yachtsurvey.com/myth_..._tanks.htm

 

[spartonboat1]

Water in Fuel Tank?

Within the last 4-6 weeks, there was a lengthy thread on this issue, the concensus of which was that storing or mooring with either partial or empty tanks, did create a water in the fuel tank issue.

In fact, one pointed out that crud tended to settle out of the full tank and was more of a problem than a partial or empty tank. Also, if storing, the full tank results in a substantial static load on the hull, etc.

Good thread, worth finding...

Up on the Hard...(for now)...pretty soon the water will be "hard"...Great Lakes boater...

 

[REBRUECKNER]

water in fuel tank

You couldnt get condensation at 40 degrees if your life depended on it...In addition, the warm waters in your area keep the lower bilges and tanks at a higher ambient temperature...forget about it and enjoy your boat...

 

[spartonboat1]

Edit Typo

I said "Within the last 4-6 weeks, there was a lengthy thread on this issue, the concensus of which was that storing or mooring with either partial or empty tanks, did create a water in the fuel tank issue."

Should read "either partial or empty tanks, did NOT create a water in the fuel tank issue..."