Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

On boating season's kickoff, BoatUS reminds boaters to avoid a misfuel mishap

by BoatUS 23 May 2023 23:10 UTC
The lowest priced option here, “Regular 88,” is a gasoline and ethanol (15%) blend prohibited for use in recreational boats © BoatUS

Today's gas station pumps no longer provide clear and transparent information to help consumers make the right fuel choice. Dispensing pumps have become a marketer's dream, chock full of attention-grabbing video screens blasting amplified sound that visually plaster a captive audience with a mishmash of eye-catching advertisements from two-for-one coffee to $1 hot dogs.

With all that distraction and summer boating season kicking off this Memorial Day weekend, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) wants to remind boaters that it may take a little more effort to ensure the right fuel goes into the tank. The key to that is knowing that recreational boats are not approved for gasoline blends containing more than 10% ethanol (E10) - and a little orange warning sticker may be the best indicator on the pump to help make the right fuel choice.

"Fuel is a significant part of a boater's budget, so finding savings is important," said BoatUS manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. "However, fuel retailers market E15 (15% ethanol) fuel, such as 'regular 88' or 'unleaded 88' as a lower cost alternative to E10."

BoatUS notes that recreational vessels are never compatible with E15. 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. Recreational vessel engines may only use gasoline containing no more than 10% ethanol (E10). Any pump dispensing E15 fuel must have an approved orange warning label.

Results from a 2020 Outdoor Power Equipment Institute poll showed 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. On top of that, the availability of ethanol fuels during the summer increased last year when a Clean Air Act waiver authorized the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol from June 1 to September 15. BoatUS has also fought efforts to weaken pump labeling rules.

"More than ever, boat owners need to check the pump for the orange warning label denoting a higher-blend ethanol fuel," added Kennedy. "We also need to continue to get the word out to educate boaters about the right fuel for their boats. Using the wrong fuel could end up costing you more than perhaps the meager savings gained when filling up."

Related Articles

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
Try boating or hone your boat handling skills
With on-water powerboat training Summer boating season has arrived. Have you ever wanted to try out boating, or are you a boat owner looking to improve your confidence behind the helm? Posted on 3 Jul 2024
Are boaters doing better when it comes to safety?
Just-released U.S. Coast Guard stats show decrease in fatalities, accidents, but problems persist The recently released U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics shows some good news on the boating safety front, with fatalities falling by 11.3% to 564 from 636 in 2022. Posted on 15 Jun 2024
‘Extremely active' 2024 hurricane season expected
BoatUS helps boaters prepare Colorado State University's (CSU) Tropical Weather and Climate researchers, long known for their annual hurricane forecasts, are calling for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season to be "extremely active". Posted on 30 May 2024
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts