Bill’s Comment on proposed Ethanol Increases in Fuel

Posted: July 10th, 2009 by Bill Dance

I hope every boater out there will take the time to learn more about a proposed increase in the amount of ethanol that can be added to our fuel.    Simply put, the fuel we currently use in our boats (and virtually everything else that runs on gasoline) contains 10 percent ethanol.  And even this amount already causes a great deal of problems in boat engines, so I cringe to think of the effect of even more ethanol.

Soon after ethanol was first added to the fuel I must use in my boats, I started to notice subtle, undesired changes, and they have persisted ever since, so I can personally attest to these problems.  I soon learned the reason was because ethanol attracts water into gasoline.  And for many boaters, this has led to major repairs or even engine failures.  I’ve also been told by those in the know that ethanol also degrades fiberglass boat gas tanks and there are other widely known problems which I urge you to check out 

Earlier this year, a pro-ethanol lobbying organization, and 54 ethanol producers petitioned the EPA to allow an increase in the amount of ethanol in gasoline from the troublesome 10 percent to an even greater 15 percent!

BoatU.S. and the NMMA are concerned because boat engines are not designed, calibrated or certified for use with gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol.  Recreational boat warranty documents and manufacturers owner’s manuals currently advise boaters not to use gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol, and therefore, the use of  E15 in marine engines could void engine warranties and damage motors and fuel systems.

After an initial comment period that drew nearly 30,000 comments from concerned boaters, the marine industry, marina operators and many other boating groups, the agency extended the comment deadline to July 20.

EPA Comment Period on Proposal for E15 Gasoline Closes in Two Weeks

Press release url.
http://www.boatus.com/news/PR_Full.asp?ID=422