Stingher Rib petrol tank failure

[JohnRob2023]

I have a Stingher GT800, bought new from MRL. Interesting to see the post above about petrol smells. After 7 1/2 years, I started to smell petrol vapour in the lockers. 2 years later, 2 lost seasons, and my wallet a generous five figures lighter, my cracked s/s fuel tank has been replaced. Has anyone else experienced similar? Very little active support from the seller!

 

[jfm]

Bad luck. Two years to replace a fuel tank - that's insane (and very Bouba-esque) - it should surely take only a few weeks even if you have to get the new tank custom made.

 

[SC35]

I think you've been very unlucky there, unless you were jumping off 6ft waves at 30kts.
The tank was mostly likely defective from the start.

 

[[165042]]

Bad luck. Two years to replace a fuel tank - that's insane (and very Bouba-esque) - it should surely take only a few weeks even if you have to get the new tank custom made.

It also shouldn't cost a five figure sum unless the factory did it who will probably charge double. I removed two stainless tanks on a Ribcraft, had them repaired (cracks at pickup points) then refitted them with new foam etc, deck repairs etc for less than £2k.

 

[QBhoy]

Sounds like a tough time if it, you’ve had. Be very unusual to have a stainless tank crack open under normal circumstances perhaps. Did it fail at the welded seams ? Perhaps there was a lack of shock damping, from its mounting or support arrangement. I’ve often wondered what route I’d take, should I have to replace any of my boat’s tanks…I think I’d likely go down the plastic tank road..lots of options available with them these days

 

[JohnRob2023]

Thanks for your messages, and commiserations! The whole experience has been abysmal. It shouldn’t have taken more than 3 months, but that seems to be the Covid effect! Cost soon builds up - empty 300l of petrol, de/re-rigging, new Flexiteek, fabricate new s/s tank, dry hard standing….. I thought about plastic; lots of conflicting advice. Seems my original tank was very thin (weight saving?) and welds less than perfect! Anyway new one is 2mm s/s and properly welded so should last! Now all I have to do is to convince the wife that she really cannot smell petrol! Any ideas?

 

[JohnRob2023]

Sounds like a tough time if it, you’ve had. Be very unusual to have a stainless tank crack open under normal circumstances perhaps. Did it fail at the welded seams ? Perhaps there was a lack of shock damping, from its mounting or support arrangement. I’ve often wondered what route I’d take, should I have to replace any of my boat’s tanks…I think I’d likely go down the plastic tank road..lots of options available with them these days

Hi QBhoy, yes the tank failed on a welded seam. There was no sign of corrosion. Obviously can never be certain but poor welding quality control the most likely candidate. I think the rolled edges are ‘sweated’ together - there is a name for the technique - I understand temp and pressure are critical. My new one is conventionally welded.

 

[JohnRob2023]

It also shouldn't cost a five figure sum unless the factory did it who will probably charge double. I removed two stainless tanks on a Ribcraft, had them repaired (cracks at pickup points) then refitted them with new foam etc, deck repairs etc for less than £2k.

It also shouldn't cost a five figure sum unless the factory did it who will probably charge double. I removed two stainless tanks on a Ribcraft, had them repaired (cracks at pickup points) then refitted them with new foam etc, deck repairs etc for less than £2k.

Hi QBhoy, yes the tank failed on a welded seam. There was no sign of corrosion. Obviously can never be certain but poor welding quality control the most likely candidate. I think the rolled edges are ‘sweated’ together - there is a name for the technique - I understand temp and pressure are critical. My new one is conventionally welded.

It also shouldn't cost a five figure sum unless the factory did it who will probably charge double. I removed two stainless tanks on a Ribcraft, had them repaired (cracks at pickup points) then refitted them with new foam etc, deck repairs etc for less than £2k.

Hi DV, you did well; sounded like you were skilled enough to do much of the work yourself. I did look into a tank repair, but advice was that because it was a welded seam that had failed, they could not guarantee that the other seams wouldn’t fail when re-installed at some time in the future. Also the s/s was very thin so not worth the risk.

 

[JohnRob2023]

I think you've been very unlucky there, unless you were jumping off 6ft waves at 30kts.
The tank was mostly likely defective from the start.

Thanks for your reply, SC35. No, no wave jumping (I’m told divorces are very expensive!) I think you’re most likely correct re latent defect; however needless to say the UK distributors, MRL, are not saying anything….BTW My previous boat was a Sealine… loved it; never let me down!