Coming: Your Outboard on Acid

E15. Ever heard of it?

The folks at BoatUS say that “trailerboaters” [is that us?!] will “need to remain extra vigilant when filling up their truck and trailered boat at the local gas station” because of E15 – aka gasoline with up to 15% ethanol, aka acid, recently permitted by the US EPA for 2001 and newer model cars and trucks.

“While E15 could be fine for the tow vehicle, it’s not good – nor authorized by the EPA – for use with [boat motors],” BoatUS says. “A strong solvent, ethanol has been known to degrade marine fuel systems, damage engines, add safety concerns, and lead to expensive repair bills.”

Ya think? Never mind the fact that the whole ethanol thing is questionable anyhow.

Some important facts:

> The EPA intends to put a warning on the pump – a small label with the exact wording yet to determined.

> Your warranty won’t help: Marine engines are only warranted for use with up to 10% (E10) ethanol.

> Once gas has phase-separated [due to ethanol], “the only remedy is to completely empty the tank. While BoatUS believes fuel additives in general are a good thing, it has not seen evidence of any additive being able to restore phase-separated gas back to its original state.”

> And this doozy: “Many components on a boat come in contact with ethanol-laden gasoline, including fuel lines, fuel tanks, fuel pumps, fuel injectors, carburetors, pressure regulators, valves, o-rings and gaskets. The compatibility of these components with any blend greater than E10 is currently unknown. The failure of only one of these components in your engine could lead to failure or, worse, a fire or explosion.”

Since BoatUS has a “director of damage avoidance,” we assume this notice came from the Damage Avoidance Department…the same folks who advise us not to operate a boat with a blindfold, I guess. (Just kidding Bob!)