While older two-stroke outboards dating back to the mid- 1980s might still experience part failures , more modern outboards and boats are being built with components that can stand up to a 10 percent ethanol blend . To safeguard against other ethanol concerns , the best approach is to try to run new fuel always .
“ The overwhelming majority of [ fuel ] issues that we ’ ve seen recently have been related to boats that are left to sit for extended periods of time without being prepped for storage ,” says Mark Lundgren , service manager at Toho Marine in St . Cloud , Fla .
In fact , most bass boat dealers in warm climates see relatively few ethanol fuel-related problems throughout the year , as tournament bass fishermen typically fish all season and run through their gas tanks much quicker than recreational boaters . Often , pontoon boats – especially those that see action just a few weeks each summer – are the boats in need of service .
But that ’ s not to say that anglers are free and clear of potential problems .
For starters , if you have an older boat , chances are there ’ s already some moisture in its fuel tank . Phase separation occurs suddenly when ethanol-blended fuels reach a certain maximum carrying capacity of water , so even though you may not have problems yet , any further introduction of moisture could be a deal-breaker .
Running new fuel from a busy station is best , and keeping gas tanks filled during down periods can help as well . By reducing the amount of open space within your boat ’ s gas tank , surface-to-air contact of the tank is reduced , thus trimming down on condensation .
Also – good news for bass anglers – the more an outboard is used , the less likely it is to have problems ; so get on the water frequently , even if it ’ s just to run your boat around the lake . Another rule of thumb is to avoid running old fuel with new . It ’ s best to take whatever steps necessary to completely drain out the old gas and dry the tank if your boat has sat a year or more .
The ultimate safeguard for future problems is the installation of a fuel / water separator on your rig . Most large , offshore boats – those that burn thousands of gallons of fuel each year – have one in place , and it will immediately correct any moisture problems that pop up .
While stabilizers and gas treatments have been linked to potential remedies for ethanol woes , none can restore bad fuel . In addition , several sources , including some manufacturers of the stabilizers themselves , report that there is no practical additive that can fully control ethanol / moisture issues . The primary function of these additives is to reduce gumming and lubricate working parts . Some stabilizers absorb slight amounts of water , keeping it within the fuel solution to reduce binding to ethanol . The benefit is figuratively small , yet every little bit helps .
Finally , the ultimate solution is to run ethanol-free fuel . Once very difficult to find , ethanol-free blends are becoming more available , likely due to pressure from boaters , car buffs , and those of us tired of replacing two-stroke leaf blowers and chain saws that have conked out due to fuel issues . Many lakeside and boating communities have an ethanol-free pump somewhere , and major chains , such as Wawa in Florida , are featuring no-ethanol choices at every pump . You ’ ll pay a little more up front , but remain worryfree on the water .
Modern boats are designed to be used with ethanol blends , but there are still issues to be aware of if you burn it in your rig .
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