Regular unleaded versus non-ethanol

[asevie]

I only run non-ethanol but we’re vacationing with the extended family (20 of us!) and boat and we’re running the boat quite a bit. Gas is killin us this week! A tank a day. If we’re running that much fuel thru what are your thoughts on regular unleaded and then back to the marine gas at the end of the week?

 

[subysti]

The newer boats are fine on ethanol. If you had a boat from the 70's or early 80's then you would have a problem over time. Where i live non-ethanol gas is like finding bigfoot. Just my .02

 

[Drift Away]

I only run non-ethanol but we’re vacationing with the extended family (20 of us!) and boat and we’re running the boat quite a bit. Gas is killin us this week! A tank a day. If we’re running that much fuel thru what are your thoughts on regular unleaded and then back to the marine gas at the end of the week?

Ive ran regular ethanol gas and every boat jet ski pontoon boat Yamaha boat that I've ever had all I do is add a little gas treatment to it. If you're boat going to sit for a long time that's really the only time non-ethanol gas has any real benefit because there is no water to separate out of the gas. Get some good seafoam or some kind of other additive and you'll have no problems.

 

[Beachbummer]

In my experience fuel with ethanol cleans very well... Too well.

My old boat gave me a year of hell with carb issues that could be traced to dirty fuel, but the issue was the dirt in my tank that was being loosened by the ethanol fuel. I added a pair of filters in series, and the issue went away.

Your newer boat already has run through plenty of it without issue. It would seem you are totally off the hook.

 

[scokill]

10 seasons of nothing but regular with ethanol right down the street from me and 1 mi from the ramp. Marina gas is at least double...most of the time 2.5x, so I save about $150/tank. Just estimating I save about $500-$750/season. For 10 years that adds up to $5K-7.5K. I guess everyone needs to make their choice and feel good about it.

 

[asevie]

Thanks all! I’m going to go the cheap-gas-for-the-week route and not worry!

 

[buckbuck]

I am of the same place and opinion as @scokill . No problem.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

I use stabil with regular ethanol when I can't find marine gas and my boat runs perfectly.

 

[mraz72]

I use both, you won't notice a difference in performance either way, the motors are tuned to use 87 , but as others have said, don't leave your boat for a long period of time with ethanol gas. If you have to, add something like stabil

 

[Amar Nanduri]

1 ounce stabil for 10 gallons of gas mandatory as far as I am concerned, and burn the gas within a couple of weeks.

 

[GoVols01]

I've been using the good 'ol ethanol stuff from the local gas stations for a while now with no issues. I put in some Star Tron with each fill-up. Also, ethanol gas has less energy per ounce of fuel than normal gasoline. To compensate for this, I like to use premium gas (92 or 93 octane).

Lastly, you must also take into consideration the fuel usage rate of many of your marinas vs. the highway stations. Some of the marinas hold fuel for a long time, so it can become contaminated or spoil. I like to buy from the highway stations because they typically have fresh gas.

Boaters at my old marina hated buying fuel at the beginning of the boating season from the marinas b/c that gas sat in the marina's tanks all winter.

 

[gmc_kurt]

HIGH TEST IS BEST FOR JETBOATS...LEADED GAS IS GREAT BECAUSE IT LUBRACATES AS IT BURNS...

 

[biffdotorg]

HIGH TEST IS BEST FOR JETBOATS...LEADED GAS IS GREAT BECAUSE IT LUBRACATES AS IT BURNS...

Holy walking dead!

Pot stirring 101: Thanks for bringing up this dead thread from the past with one line that either reflects your age or lack of knowledge.

1. There is no such thing as leaded gas in pumps in the most common gas stations.
2. High test is a term not even used anymore. Octane rating used is well stated in the manual of our boats and most of the users here are pretty wise to that fact and follow it pretty close. Nobody has been burned by following the manual

Move along. But kudos on the very knowledgeable first post.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I've been using the good 'ol ethanol stuff from the local gas stations for a while now with no issues. I put in some Star Tron with each fill-up. Also, ethanol gas has less energy per ounce of fuel than normal gasoline. To compensate for this, I like to use premium gas (92 or 93 octane).

Lastly, you must also take into consideration the fuel usage rate of many of your marinas vs. the highway stations. Some of the marinas hold fuel for a long time, so it can become contaminated or spoil. I like to buy from the highway stations because they typically have fresh gas.

Boaters at my old marina hated buying fuel at the beginning of the boating season from the marinas b/c that gas sat in the marina's tanks all winter.

True on the less energy per given volume with ethanol laced gasoline vs. non ethanol gasoline.

All gasoline at a given station has the same energy content! The only difference between 87 and 91 is the amount of resistance to detonation.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

View attachment 196605

I wish it was animated here like it is in my photo’s album.. I used to watch this cartoon as a kid… great stuff.

 

[MrBubbaGump]

 

[Beachbummer]

True on the less energy per given volume with ethanol laced gasoline vs. non ethanol gasoline.

All gasoline at a given station has the same energy content! The only difference between 87 and 91 is the amount of resistance to detonation.

Now we move to a non practical/theoretic discussion...

A combustion engine designed for higher octane can extract more power from the higher octane fuel.

Now, if the engine is designed for 87 octane, no difference

How far off am I?

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The higher compression engine usually has more fuel, as well as significantly higher cylinder pressure on the compression stroke and exponentially more pressure on the combustion downstroke. So I think your statement is partially true but mainly because of the higher compression ratio, and the resulting much higher state of tune Valve timing, duration, overlap, and especially ignition timing come into play as well.

I’m going to ask Mr Whoopee ( extra points if you know who that is) and see what he has to say.

 

[HawaiiBreeze]

My Magic 8 Ball and Ouija Board both said: 1. "Yes" I'm going to be screwed this year on fuel costs. 2. "Yes" I will suck it up and get on with it and 3. "Yes" Any day on the water is better than on land. On the 4th question they were both unanimous again when asked "Will my guests help out with any fuel costs for a providing such a glorious day on the water?" The reply - "Don't Count On It".