Marine gasoline questions

[Charles L. Cotton]

We have a lot of boaters on the Forum so I hope some can help. I need to know some information about gasoline available for boats. I'm talking about gas available at marinas.

1. What octane rating is available?
2. Does it contain Ethanol?
3. What is the cost?

Thanks,
Chas.

[rwg3]

In my experience the gas available is 89 or higher octane. The ethanol issue depends on the marina, some spring for non ethanol but others don't. Last season the non-ethanol gas was about $.40/gal more expensive. For some time now manufacturers have been required to make engines that will run with ethanol in the gas, but it is still not optimal. There is an additive called Ring Free that, when added to the fuel helps ameliorate the issue. Gas prices obviously vary by region but expect to pay $.50 to $1.50 per gallon more for fuel at the dock than at a local station. I could be underestimating. Where I boat during the summer gas at the dock is currently in excess of $5/gal. I only have a 150 gallon tank, I cant imagine what the people with big boats face.

[RX8er]

Chas,

I agree with ^^^^. It really depends on the marina. Our marinas didn't have ethanol until this year. They had to switch because they had difficulty finding no corn gas. Most of your newer boats don't mind the ethanol. the biggest problem with it is eating the rubber hoses and the moisture it holds. StaBil make a product to help fight against it and I am a religious user of it.

I have a 21' so I trailer my boat and fill up at the gas station. I change my water separator after the first couple of boat outings of each season. I have not changed it yet but will tell you I have water in my gas as the boat is acting up. But, I left about a 1/2 tank of gas over winter and should not have.

Octane rating for our lake are 89 and a couple have 91 RON. For the vast majority of boats, you will be more than fine with 89 gas and it's a waste of money to go higher. I would use what the manufacturer calls for. If you have not found the forum yet, iBoats is a great place: http://forums.iboats.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PUCKER]

Mr. Cotton,

Fuel varies by marina, location, region, the owner's whim, etc. Our local marina does what I like to call "opportunistic price gouging," they more or less have a captive audience (inland lake) so they can charge what they want, which is typically $1.50/gallon OVER street prices. I've got a total of 248 gallon capacity (two 124 gallon tanks) so you can imagine the fun I have. Several of us with larger boats actually import our fuel at local courtesy docks...it's a sociable weeknight thing to do (when you are approaching 20,000 pounds, your boat stays in the water!). Typically it is 89 octane, although I have seen as low as 87. Ethanol is sadly becoming a way of strife/life. As mentioned, Stabil is a VERY good product to use to help keep fuel fresh.

Now, let's talk about where you are located, near the Gulf/Clear Lake. You *should* have better fueling options/pricing (due to volume, ie - more boats, theoretically). In my experience, fuel on the coast is typically cheaper than inland lakes, I could be wrong about your area though.

One thing to remember, the fuel you purchase typically contains State Highway Tax of $0.20/gallon. Here is some information to help you with that, just keep your receipts, fill out the form, etc:

http://governor.state.tx.us/film/produc ... _fuel_tax/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope this helps. Now tell us, what boat did you get?

[Charles L. Cotton]

Thanks guys. I was wondering about the availability of high octane, Ethanol-free gas to use an an aircraft engine. There are STC's available for certain aircraft/engine combinations that allow you to use mogas, but only if it is 93 octane and no Ethanol. 100LL avgas is running around $6/gal. and the prices you are quoting aren't any better.

Chas.

[AEA]

You thinking of a Corps of Engineers Properties tour by float plane?

[wil]

Thanks guys. I was wondering about the availability of high octane, Ethanol-free gas to use an an aircraft engine. There are STC's available for certain aircraft/engine combinations that allow you to use mogas, but only if it is 93 octane and no Ethanol. 100LL avgas is running around $6/gal. and the prices you are quoting aren't any better.

Chas.

http://pure-gas.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

^^^^
website listing gas stations with ethanol-free fuel.

STC for octane booster in a TC'd aircraft, if they've done a form 337 for mogas, none exists for octane booster? I'm assuming since it's an STC you mentioned it's not a homebuilt?

Add edit: if it's a homebuilt it should be able to run mogas without an STC, unless the regs have changed.

[RX8er]

Aha, this is a different story. Your best bet is farm supplier, not boats. In Texas, it is against state law to sale anything less than 10% for road use so you are stuck with farm use, off road or marine. You know this so gas stations are out of the question. As discussed, most marinas now get the same gas as Mobil and just jack the price up.

I do a couple annuals a year and one guy I know has a 172 with the conversion. He and a couple other guys have a 250 gallon fuel farm that is serviced by a farm fuel service company. I tried to call him and he's out of country. Give me a day or two and I'll see who he uses to get his gas. I'll bet that you can Google and find one local to Houston. I know in his case, a company trucks it in and once the tank is filled, he tests for alcohol and then just monthly fuel farm testing. In talking with him, he'd be just as happy without the STC as it really isn't saving him much money.