FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — With the EPA recently allowing fuel companies to increase the amount of ethanol found in gasoline from 10 percent to 15 percent, the move could mean more damaged boat engines for unsuspecting owners who use the fuel. Ethanol increases the acidity of the fuel, which in older boats and motors can dissolve fuel tanks and lines, which can ultimately damage, clog and stall engines. A recent survey conducted by AnglerSurvey.com found most anglers who boat were unaware of the increase in ethanol and the threat the change poses. Asked if they were aware of the increase in permissible ethanol levels, 55.9 percent of respondents said “no,” while only 41.2 percent reported being aware of the change.
Asked if they agreed with the change, nearly 60 percent said “no.” Virtually the same amount of those surveyed said the amount of permissible ethanol should be reduced back to 10 percent.
“It is important that boaters educate themselves on the specific damage fuels mixed with ethanol can pose to certain boat motors and take steps to minimize harm to their engines. Many boaters will simply want to avoid using fuels that include the higher percentage of ethanol and need to pay attention when fueling,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.
For more information on the threat ethanol poses to boat engines, visit the Boat Owners Association of the United States at boatus.com or visit their page on ethanol concerns at http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/ethanol.asp.