Over the last few years the boating community has been plagued with E10 (unleaded fuel containing 10% ethanol) issues. The ethanol additive that is now present in almost all unleaded fuel has an affinity for water. When left for any period of time in a vented fuel system the ethanol will absorb condensation causing the fuel to phase separate. This phase separation is irreversible and leads to improper or no combustion and damages engine components. In addition the alcohol may cause decomposition of fiberglass fuel tanks and many older fuel lines not constructed to handle the alcohol. These problems have obviously left a poor taste in the mouths of many within the boating community as well as many manufactures and end users of small engines.
Over the last couple of years; ethanol industry leaders have been pushing for E15 or 15% ethanol. These advocates including many politicians from corn growing states are pushing for E15, claiming the fuel will burn cleaner and the US will be less reliant on foreign countries for fuel. With many boat owners and manufacturers still reeling from the effects of E10 Boat U.S, and several other groups including some car and boat manufactures as well as the American Petroleum Industry stepped in and asked the EPA to conduct some studies on the effects of E15 in small engines and marine applications. Boat U.S. has announced this moth that for the time being EPA has delayed the decision of allowing the increase in ethanol until studies may be performed. I would encourage all of you to stay abreast of this situation and the studies as another increase the ethanol content of our fuels could have more negative impacts.
Tight lines…
Captain Tim Pickett
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