Posted on 09/02/2006 12:24:22 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. -- Proponents of ethanol see it as a fuel additive that can relieve the nation's energy woes. Pleasure boaters like Walter Kaprielian say they need it like a hole in the hull.
Mr. Kaprielian's 1969 boat was made in Miami by Bertram Yacht, whose sturdy older vessels have a devoted following. But the 20-footer, a beamy craft with a small cabin, has had all sorts of things go wrong with it since marinas here began selling nothing but ethanol-blended gasoline two years ago.
The boat has spent the summer sitting in a repair yard while its owner thinks about expensive fixes such as a new $25,000 motor. "I get depressed just looking at it," says the 72-year-old, who sometimes seeks solace online, where a lot of boat owners are singing the ethanol blues. Boaters blame the blend for unpredictable stall-outs and a ruinous goo that brings some motors to a grinding halt.
"Take heed, folks, this stuff is nasty in outboards," one Virginia angler warned recently in a bass-fishing forum. On a site for Bertram owners, a New Yorker lamented leaving an article about ethanol problems out where his wife found it. Now "she wants to sell the boat," he wrote.
This past spring, Eric Koch, of Old Saybrook, Conn., did seek a buyer for the 34-foot boat he had spent nearly $40,000 to buy and restore. After ethanol problems set in, the kitchen designer ended up letting it go for $9,000. "It was time to cut some losses," he says.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It seems to me that one does not use ethanol blends in older engines that are not designed to use ethanol blends.
Lot of this has to do with a glut of old boats that are not worthy of restoration and the owners looking for a chump to bail them out of a financial jam.
I thought Marine fuel was ethanol free.
That is not a true statement.
Not in areas where the EPA has mandated ethanol-blend gasoline. EPA theory: "It works in cars. Who gives a flip about the rich in their luxury yachts!"
Meanhile, ol' Bass Boat Bubba has his outboard dying on him all day from this trash gas.
The October issue of Consumer Reports magazine has a big story on ethanol and exposes all the myths of ethanol. Their conclusion: ethanol is really a bad deal.
In my area of PA, I do not see any gas stations that offer non-Ethanol blends
Ethanol has been blended with gasoline in many markets for over 20 years. I remember back in the early 90's reading somewhere to my astonishment that fuels that contained ethanol or other alcohols were not suitable for 2-Cycle motors. This also included many fuel additives as well. Apparently, the alcohol prevents the oil from coating/protecting the pistons and cylinder.
This is not a new problem, although I wasn't aware that marinas were selling ethanol blends yet. I know the few marinas I have been to are specifically buying non-ethanol gasoline for this exact reason.
The boat owner's argument is somewhat akin to the gripes when leaded fuel was made illegal. All the folks with the old leaded gasoline cars were screaming that they were being unfairly penalized....costly upgrades/etc.
I can sympathize - motors (inboard or outboard) are so incredibly expensive. On the other hand, they had to see it coming sooner or later. But I think they should look at the marinas as well. Unless the non-ethanol fuel is just plan unavailable, they should still be able to get it (at a likely higher cost).
One other thing - I just got back moments ago from going fishing with a friend with a 4 year-old boat. The 2-cycle Mercury (oil injection) has no problem with the blended gasolines - so this is likely, as bigfootbob said, just owners of old boats looking for a skapegoat.
Never use ethanol in a carbureted motor if the carb float is made of foam instead of metal. That sucker will swell up like a toad till it sticks tight in the bowl.
Ethanol is garbage and I won't run it in my boat. Mercruiser won't even warranty motors if they've had fuel with more than 10% ethanol run in them.
That's unfortunate. I did not know this. Do you have a link?
I suspect it eventually will be required in all states.
Why do I have a feeling that he pees in the gas tank after excessive consumption of 90 proof Old Turkey Fart?
Funny - I know many folks would qualify as "Bass Boat Bubba" who are having zero trouble from using ethanol blended gasoline. AS I posted just a few minutes ago, I just got back from fishing with a buddy who has had zero trouble in the years he has had his boat - oil injected 2'stroke. Ethanol blending has had no effect.
And isn't Consumer Reports the group that was busted for rigging rollover tests of some "infamous" small SUVs? Among other questionable reports in their history.....
And despite some folk's opinions, ethanol itself burns much CLEANER than petrolium gasoline. The primary downfall is the effect it has on rubber-based gaskets and hoses, as well as the increased ability to absorb moisture.
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