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.
"Ethanol has been blended with gasoline in many markets for over 20 years."
Ethanol blended gasoline was being sold in North Dakota during the 1980's. My vehicle then did not run very well and fuel economy plummeted due to the use of ethanol.
Now in California, we don't find very many stations which sell gasoline without the ethanol blend. It replaced the earlier additive which wreaked havoc with the ecology of the state. since they added ethanol, my fuel economy here took a dive as well. Great stuff that ethanol.
On another note, my 8 horse 2 cyle mercury outboard doesn't seem to have a big problem with ethanol. The exhaust does ooze out a sludge after use, but the engine runs fine as long as I change the plugs often. I should upgrade to a four stroke so I don't polute my favorite lakes.