I realize there has already been a thread started that relates to this (see Fuel Issues), but I wanted to get comments and feedback from anyone who actually has experience with using ethanol (ethyl alcohol) blended fuel in their boat, since it is being widely introduced in Massachusetts. I have some info and Team Rock On posted a good link from Mercury Marine in the other thread.

This is what I know so far. Ethanol:
- Is highly corrosive, especially for aluminum and brass
- Can degrade certain materials, especially fiberglass gas tanks and some hoses and components
- Mixes easily with water which can be introduced through your air intake and from simple humidity.
- This can cause problems during long periods of storage.
- Existing water in a tank (after years of running 100% gasoline or MBTE mix) can be “taken up” by the ethanol
- Can cause the ethanol to separate from the gasoline dramatically reducing octane levels and even cause the engine to stall or fail (and not restart).
- (Note, this isn’t a problem in cars due to the fuel being a “closed” system and the fact that you burn most the fuel out of the tank more often).
- Many marine engine manufacturers recommend a 10 micron filter
- Blends over 10% ethanol are almost always NOT recommended
- Methanol is a more of a problem than Ethanol

I have some questions that I hope some of you can answer.
- Are there any additives, such a dry gas, which can be used to remove the water or prevent separation of the ethanol from the gasoline?
- What preventative measures are you taking to ensure you don’t develop engine problems at sea?
- Is there a way to test your fuel to determine if you have excess water or separation problems?

Would appreciate any feedback and comments.

SW, The Hull Truth website has extensive threads on this. The more informed contributors are reccommending using a petroleum based fuel stabilizer all the time- not just for long term storage, like "Stabil" but make sure its not an alcohol based brand. I'm being told that in addition to the 10 micron filter, it's useful to have a "Racor type" filter (with a clear bowl on the bottom) to drain off water that has exceeded the (high) capability of ethanol to absorb water, and so you can visually check it. Most are suggesting carrying spare filters (2or 3) and the means to change them on the water in case they get clogged with crud the ethanol dissolves. Your boat is probably too new to have extensive crud deposits in the tank, and the newer engines and tanks have components that stand up to ethanol - agian you should be ok. What I'd like to know and haven't heard addressed yet is; should we still be using "carbon guard' or "ring free" type stuff in our fuel or will it be adversely affected by the new blends. I haven't seen any tech updates on older Johnson outboards like my 1985 90 hp..... Maybe by the time my shoulder is out of rehab I'll get an answer to this question- I've got a tank full of stabilized MBTE fuel to burn in the meantime. Are you still mad about the cupholder?:nopain:

I have an 87 Kencraft with a 96 Johson 90. I am almost done with last years gas, and am dreading putting the new stuff in. I think I will run off the rest of the old in the back yard. Then take out the sending unit and check the tank for water and cleanliness. When I do fill up with the new gas, I think I will:

1.Install the racor with the clear bowl. As well as intalling a new fuel filter

2.Run the engine in the yard for a couple of hours and see how it goes.

3.If no problems I will carry a spare portable 5 gallon tank out with me just in case, as well as the extra filters.

If my carbs get gummed up, the boat will sit the rest of the year, I can't be bothered..

Most brands of "dry gas" are ethanol, so you'll only be adding more of it to your tank.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Right Mako, I realized after I posted the question about "dry gas" that it's alcohol too, so no good. I'm going to look into those Racor filters and make sure I can change on board.

My engine is a 2002 Yamaha 115hp 4-stroke. I've got a 65 gallon tank with about 40 gal's of last year's fuel, since I like to get it at least 3/4 full before I store it for the winter. I'm hearing that I should burn it down as far as possible before re-fueling. I don't like to get too far down since even though it's a fairly new boat I don't trust those gauges to be exact.

Backbeach! Sorry to hear about your shoulder! That is a definite downer. Hope to see you up and around again soon. And PLEASE don't worry about the holder. I already have a new one installed! BTW, we got some very nice stripers and a boat load of seabass on Thursday on Pag's Aquasport.

Sweetwater, Glad to hear youre getting some time in on the water, the Fluke should be filling the sound about now, thats what I'm missing the most right now. I just got a nice set of rod riggers from ebay and the boat was ready to rock.I had fired it up in the yard, serviced the bearings on the trailer...Now I wish I never started it up and burned off the fogging oil. Doesn't look like I'll be fishing for months by the time the shoulder comes out of the sling it'll need alot of rehab.:behead: I'm just hoping to salvage the fall run at this point. Keep the reports coming, I won't feel bad- it's the onlything fishing related I can do for now, enjoying it vicariously. I can type, but can't move my upper arm away from my torso for at least a week, or lift anything heavier than a soda can- which even precludes tying flies!!! have you tried any shad fishing since the big rains? Tight Lines, And Say Hello to Chuckles and Pag for me, Jim:lossinit:

BB, check your PM's from time to time and I'll keep you up-to-date. The boys did VERY WELL at (undisclosed location) Sunday afternoon/evening. Clobbered fish for 1.5 hours on both sides of the low tide. I wasn't there since I did a family trip with my wife and daughters to the Race. No fish anywere.

I've not done any more shad fishing, but chuckles has and is in fact going tonite I think. He's done fairly well this year, but I've only gotten out twice now that the stripers are in.

Get that shoulder right for the fall. You gonna be good by late September? Me and the boys will be in Truro for a week. BTW, I PM'ed you my email address so we don't have keep meeting his way. :hee:

If this shoulder isn't right by late Sept. I'm taking a boat ride with 3doz eels to Sow and Pigs some dark night and going out with a bang- :hang: At that point I won't care if I have to fight them out of the gunnell rod holder.:biglaugh: I hope I don't end up like old Bill at the Race; bumming sandeels and asking kids to toss the conventionals out there for me... I've got dibs on the hot tub for rehab...Bob phoned in a report, sounds like ur next boat should be a 'Yak. Thanks for the response- sounds like you did, in fact, get over the cupholder!, I hope the 20 covered it w S&H.... At least with our boats, the repairs are within reason. Did you hear that Mark had to replace the head in his Fortier? This is the first thing he's replaced that hasn't approached a grand since he's bought it- $230.00 Oh, I mean the $hithouse "head"- not his noggin- we know that couldn't cost that much:whackin: :smash: :biglaugh: Take Care, Jim