Galveston Fishing Charter Company
832-917-FISH(3474)
Strong northerly
winds gusted to well over 20 knots most of the day Wednesday and fishing
was nonexistent. Hopefully that will change quickly, and by this
weekend, conditions should return to normal with rising water levels.
With no fishing reports, this allows us to address an unpleasant topic to most boaters: ethanol gasoline.
With no fishing reports, this allows us to address an unpleasant topic to most boaters: ethanol gasoline.
Wednesday, BoatUS, a large
organization devoted to boaters, issued a statement warning operators of
marine engines that there likely will be a shortage of E0
(zero-ethanol) gasoline available at marinas and gas stations this
summer.
In their news release they wrote:
“E0 gasoline, which is sold at
marinas and gas stations, is in effect being pushed out of the boat fuel
market to make room for the Renewable Fuel Standard-mandated E15 and
higher ethanol blends. This means boaters may see shortages of E0 fuel
as early as this summer’s boating season. BoatUS believes boaters need a
reliable, trusted fuel such as E0 to ensure smooth engine operation and
safe navigation”
Currently, the majority of marine
engines along Texas Coastal Waters operate on E10 gasoline which
contains approximately 10 percent ethanol. This has been the case for
years, and boaters have learned to deal with it, knowing how to prevent
ethanol-related fuel problems by use of additives and not allowing the
fuel to sit up too long in gas tanks and engines.
There is one ethanol-based fuel
that should be avoided all together, and that is the E85 blend
containing 85 percent ethanol. This high-ethanol fuel is intended only
for engines specially designed to accept high-ethanol content fuel
blends, such as the flexible-fuel vehicles.
I am not aware of any marine
engines that can use that blend without major damage occurring. Before
adding gas to your boat’s tank, check the ethanol content. If the
e-number is higher than 10, you should consult with your dealer or
mechanic before refueling.
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