Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Whoa, boaters! Slow down on the recent E15 news

by Scott Croft 19 Apr 2022 16:48 UTC

There's been a lot of pain at the pump lately with gas prices. The Biden administration's April 12 move to give a waiver from the Clean Air Act to allow the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) during the summer months is intended to lower costs and stretch the nation's fuel supply. However, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) says the unintended consequence of the waiver could inadvertently put a harmful fuel prohibited for use in recreational vessels into your boat's gas tank.

BoatUS notes recreational vessels are never compatible with E15 (15% ethanol). It is not permitted by federal law to use E15 fuel in boats (as well as motorcycles, off-road vehicles and power equipment), voids the engine warranty, and it has been proven to cause damage to marine engines. It also causes engines to run hotter and contains less energy than E10. Recreational vessel engines may only use gasoline containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10).

"While we understand the need to save money, we are concerned that fuel retailers may market E15 (15% ethanol) fuel, such as 'regular 88' or 'regular unleaded' as a lower cost alternative to E10," said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. "And therein lies the problem — the majority of recreational boats are refueled at roadside gas stations and, with almost no safeguards in place, there is a real chance that boat owners, looking for a bargain will misfuel their boats with E15 fuel."

E15 dispensing pumps have a poor warning regime, sometimes just a single orange label on the pump, which is ineffective at informing consumers. A 2020 Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) poll shows that only about one in five consumers know that "regular 88" — or 88 octane fuel — has more ethanol (15%) in it than 87 octane (10% ethanol) fuel.

Kennedy further explains: "To refuel, boaters head to their local gas station with the boat in tow for a fill-up. Newer tow vehicles may be compatible with E15. "Regular 88" is selected and dispensed into tow vehicle's gas tank. Then the boater pulls the trailer rig forward to refuel the boat. Without a clear understanding, the "Regular 88" fuel dispensing nozzle is put in the boat's fuel tank fill, and you soon end up with a tank full of prohibited E15 fuel."

Without the waiver, E15 fuels are prohibited for sale during the summer months (June 1 - September 15) as a way to address the higher ethanol fuel's contribution to ground level ozone (smog) on hot days.

The administration's April 12 "fact sheet" also notes USDA is considering additional action to facilitate the use of E15 year-round and other actions to significantly increase the sale and use of higher blends of ethanol fuels.

It is also notes EPA is considering modifications to pump labeling. "That is something BoatUS fully supports," added Kennedy.

Related Articles

New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Now is a great time to inspect your life jackets
BoatUS Foundation shows you how Every year National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) helps remind boaters to make safety a priority all summer long, and of the need for having serviceable, right-sized life jackets for everyone aboard the boat. Posted on 13 May
Learn powerboating skills in Old Saybrook
From the basics to 2 new hands-on courses added for experienced boaters Recreational boaters are beginning to return to the waters of Long Island Sound. Are they prepared? Posted on 8 May
Spring launch checklist
Time-tested tips for getting your boat ready for the season Whether it's your first year or 50th, the recreational boat owner's advocacy, services and safety group, BoatUS, has help on how to start the boating season off right with its Spring Commissioning Checklist. Posted on 26 Mar
Be wary of letters offering documentation renewal
Official-looking vessel documentation renewal notices can lead to confusion and higher costs Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal. Posted on 28 Jan
Got your boating safety certificate yet?
A 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement BoatUS Foundation's online Boating Safety Course helps Empire State residents meet 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement. Posted on 2 Jan
How to prepare a boat for Helene
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available from BoatUS With potential Tropical Cyclone Nine expected to reach hurricane strength as Helene before hitting parts of Florida's Gulf Coast later this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 25 Sep 2024
How the arrival of Autumn changes boating
Three tips for safely enjoying the water in the off season from BoatUS Foundation Say a final goodbye to the summer 2024 boating season as Sept. 22 marks the fall equinox. With the change of season, ushered in by cooler air and water temperatures, boating safety also changes. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
How to prepare a boat for Francine
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available for hurricanes from BoatUS With Tropical Storm Francine expected to reach hurricane strength before hitting parts of coastal Louisiana and the western Gulf Coast this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 10 Sep 2024
Maritimo M50Palm Beach Motor Yachts