Another Ethanol Topic/Question

[willbchap]

This is probably a stupid question, but the last time I owned a boat, we didn't have Ethanol. Sorry if this has been covered, but my searches haven't been satisfactory. Note, the boat starts and runs with zero problems.

I have confirmed that the main fueling station/marina my "new to me" boat has been refueled at has had E10 for a few years now. For the last two years at least, it's the only place the boat has been refueled. The boat has always had either Racor or Sierra 10 micron filters on it since re-powering in 2005. The previous owner (my grandfather, and I assume a creditable source :mrgreen: ) has always used "Full Throttle Marine" additive at refueling. I was recommended using Stabil and RingFree by the local Grady dealer, in place of the Full Throttle. Now that the boat is in my hands, it is on a trailer and now has the option of street gas refueling.

So the first question, is there any difference between the E10 on the dock and E10 at a street gas station (besides price obviously), and is there any reason not to buy the fuel at the street station?

The second question, anyone running Full Throttle Marine and do you also run RingFree? Any comments on Full Throttle at all? I haven't seen much discussed here about it.

 

[Doc Stressor]

E10 is E10. The marinas get their fuel delivered by the same tankers as the local filling stations.

If anything, the street gas will be drier.

StaBil and Ringfree has always worked for me. Keep your tank full and you should be fine. Most of the E10 problems (except for a decrease in performance and fuel economy) take place soon after the first switchover.

 

[sluggoe]

ditto for the first switchover.....had to replace the fuel water seps, and after that no problems...

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I've been using for a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery long time Startron and ringfree. If you use Stabill, make sure you use the new blue color.

 

[seasick]

The fuel at the marina may not be the same as the station. At a marina near to me, thay buy a special blend of marine grade fuel. It is an octane between reg and high but more importantly, there are different additives in it. Is it better? I don't know, this is the first year that they carry this fuel.
The statement about marine gas being drier than street gas is in my opinion incorrect. Street stations usually pump a lot more gas and that means fresher fuel. The worst time to buy gas at a marina is right in the beginning of the boating season in an area that has cold winters. The fuel sits all winter long, aging and collection moisture. That said, if you see the fuel trunk dropping a load at you favorite street station, pass right by and come back tomorrow. The tank filling often stirs up the inevitable junk on the bottom of the tanks.
The vast majority of ethanol related issues occurred when it was introduced. Old tanks with varnishes caused many problems as the varnish dissolved and gummed up the motor. Some fuel pumps and fuel lines didn't like ethanol and had degradation issues. After the first year or so, things normalized and there doesn't seem to be any more troubles with boats than there were before. The vast majority of so called ethanol and water problems are just plain water problems due to leaks, bad caps, etc.
And finally, Ring Free and Stabil ( or similar fuel stabilizers) are two totally different beasts. I use Ring Free all the time and only use Stabil during winter layup and I have not had any issues with fuel.