Ethanol And Your Boat

In the most recent Underway magazine (sponsored by the Oregon State Marine Board and U.S. Coast Guard), there were several interesting articles. One of the articles discussed ethanol blended fuel, better known as E-10. This is something that folks have asked me about, and now I’d like to share what the OSMB has to say about it.

First off, it will be mandatory for all gas stations statewide to start selling gasoline with 10% ethanol by Sept. 30, 2008. When this was first made public, many weren’t happy with the state’s decision – especially aircraft pilots and boaters. In response, legislators passed Senate Bill 1072, which allows retailers to sell unblended fuels for use in aircraft, ATVs, power tools and boats. Allowing unblended fuel to be sold came about when state officials learned that ethanol easily absorbs water, which contaminates fuel and causes engines to seize up. Also, since ethanol is a solvent, it can damage fiberglass fuel tanks, rubber and internal engine parts (especially in older boats).

State Marine Board officials feel that marinas are the most likely places to find unblended fuels, but that it may be difficult to find at gas stations. But there are things you can do to minimize any negative impacts.

· Make sure you know what fuel your retailer is dispensing.
· Run a non-alcohol fuel stabilizer in your boat’s fuel system at all times. This is definitely recommended for engines that sit for any length of time.
· The more use a boat gets, the less likely it is to have problems.
· When winterizing, keep your tank approx. 95% full to prevent condensation but allow room for expansion. Try to avoid any water intrusion.
· Install a water separating fuel filter.
· Change your fuel filter regularly.
· Replace older plastic tanks with new tanks.
· Replace older rubber fuel lines and inspect them regularly.
· Some older carbureted engines may require special tuning. Consult the manufacturer for details.

For more information about E-10, visit the OSMB website at http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/news/E10.shtml.

I’m going to run E-10. My boat gets a lot of use during the year and I already have a fuel-water separator in-line on my fuel system. Stay tuned for updates.


See you on the water,
Action Jackson

(Please send comments or questions to Action Jackson at 268-6944 or www.actionjacksonfishing.com)