Best Gas to Use in a Boat

[@boatinglessons]

Do you have any gas or fuel related horror stories to share with our viewers?

[@matthewdurdin]

That was an excellent explanation. Thank you! A good rule of thumb for fuel containing ethanol is not to put it in anything that's not a car or truck. It eventually murders every small engine fuel management system it's put into.

[@boatinglessons]

Yes, agreed!

[@drebk]

I suppose this rule is confusing when you have an inboard, or even more confusing a car or truck engine conversion. It really is a storage issue, so presumably you could get away with a lower octane (that contains ethanol) and then add a fuel stabilizer?

[@jimwhall6609]

My car mechanic told me about non ethanol gas. I switched to it for all my small engines, and a Miata that sits during the winter. In a summer all my small engine issues disappeared. I cannot recommend this enough.

[@johnt7776]

Really good to know. I will for sure now just use 91 non ethanol Shell over the winter! Thank you 🙏

[@boatinglessons]

Glad you found it helpful John!

[@str8chillin18]

This is an excellent video. I'm going to use 87 when I'm going to use the boat and 91 for storage.

[@mustangracer5124]

I live in an area where I can take the boat out in Dec. or Jan and run it a while, I always fill w/ e-free fuel and use stabilizer.. getting it to mix and move around is important.

[@boatinglessons]

Good point and nice to be able to boat all year round!

[@thecarolinahoosier3596]

Big help and makes sense. This issue is bad enough when storing cars over the winter. With boats generally being stored on or near water, humidity would be an even bigger issue! Thanks for another timely posting this topic as boat season winds down

[@boatinglessons]

Glad you found it helpful and it is our pleasure

[@tomdavis3038]

Good luck finding that ethanol free gas in many areas Cheers

[@ranger178]

there is a web site that lists stations people report having ethanol free

[@brucenurczyk1760]

Great advice, unfortunately some of us don't have access to ethanol free gas. Every fall I give it a double shot of Startron and top off the tank. I have been lucky so far with no water build up. I also added a Racor filter with the clear bowl so I can watch for water.

[@jeffjodyauman7774]

Ethanol also has a lower heating value. That is why your mileage on e85 goes way down in cars. The irony is that e85 in cars that can use that fuel will out perform pure gasoline but only due to the fact that the timing can advance to take full advantage of that higher octane. Anyway, great video piece for boats, here in the states we call our fuel Rec 90 usually always 90 octane. Have not seen rec 91 or higher anywhere. Will be topping off my trailer boat with rec90 before storage. I do notice a slight performance edge running the rec 90 vs 87 ... likely due to a slight heating value increase and octane combination.

[@boatinglessons]

Thanks for sharing those insights with our followers :)

[@michaellingo640]

Thanks for the info. Will start saving up now for a tank of ethanol free gas.

[@D-B-Cooper]

Pump the first gal or two into your car because the line is still full of the previous persons choice.

[@andrewbradstreet4218]

So I'm not the only one lol

[@buckrockerm]

In my area fuel lines for boat/recreational gas is different.

[@jakeblumer5700]

Never had a issue running 87 with a stabilizer during the winter... never once.

[@boatinglessons]

That’s fantastic! Non ethanol fuel is simply extra insurance (more chemically stable).

[@JCASTELLUCCIOJR]

QUESTION: Live in deep South Louisiana. I’ve always used NON ETHANOL FUEL AND Secor fuel filter… present fuel filter/water separator has 37 hours since August, 2021. Should that water separator fuel filter be changed I just drained…NO VISIBLE WATER IN FILTER’s plastic inspection reservoir!?! Enjoying your videos John C

[@majormegapix]

Hey Sean, great video. Here in the states (ie, NH) all fuel grades have ethanol (10%). 31 states offer E15 at some pumps. Generally, you have to go to an airport to get non-ethanol gas. Most local marinas on our lake (Winnipesaukee in NH) sell 89 octane 10% and they all treat it with some brand of stabilizer in their storage tanks. I don't treat mine during the season for that reason but for winter storage, I run a double dose the last day out and the marina adds their own when they fill the tank and winterize the engine. My dilemma involves the current supply chain catastrophe. My marina diag'ed a bad FSM at the end of May this season as they were getting the boat ready for the season. It's about an $ 1100 part and is STILL on bo, not a good boating season for us. No way to know if it failed due to age/use or as a result of ethanol gumming up the works. Not a horror story but a sad tale nonetheless.

[@boatinglessons]

I appreciate your feedback. That really is unfortunate. Supply chain issues are causing all kinds of new issues with boating and daily life in general. It doesn’t sound like there is anything you could have done differently to prevent it though.

[@oramsey1999]

NH represent!

[@SteveThomas-ib3bp]

I have been told by some to add 2 cycle oil will help prevent some problems with ethenol gas at maybe 100/1

[@khanhle-vu2hh]

Is Rec 90 gasoline consider premium gas?

[@greggo502]

Hi Sean, another great no nonsense video. I emptied all the old fuel ( 11 gallons) out of my Ranger Bass Boat(40 gallon tank)( I. bought it used),So I dont know how old the fuel was. Theres no non ethanol fuel where I live (CT) So I'm pouring 4-8 gallons of 4 cycle true fuel in it plus a little startron. Does Lens Marina have a preference of fuel stabilizer (Seafoam Marine, Startron, Staybill) Thank You!!

[@boatinglessons]

Hi Greg. We appreciate your positive feedback! We have often used Startron. I believe the others work well though from what we understand.

[@AlThePal78]

I live in Florida i boat in the winter lol

[@edwardcote1331]

marked premium for all my non highway vehicles/small engines,no ethanol and no gov.road taxes built into the price.it's a few cents a liter more than regular here in B.C

[@boatinglessons]

Great

[@jaydensbookreviewandothers8806]

Great explanation! Simple and to the point!

[@boatinglessons]

I appreciate that feedback, thank you!

[@miscellaneous037]

I'm really enjoying these great videos--LOTS of great info here. So, to be clear, the issue is ethanol, not octane rating? At one local gas station where I've been fueling up the tank for my Yamaha 150, they sell Ethanol Free 89. Should a boat owner target a specific octane rating as a secondary goal to the primary goal of ethanol free? And would that be engine (manufacturer recommendation) specific? Thanks for these many great and informative videos.

[@boatinglessons]

Our pleasure! Ethanol free is the target/goal. Often found in the higher octane fuel but is not exclusively that

[@davidrose9955]

We always use ethanol free fuel with Star brite Star Tron fuel treatment.

[@crashchris521]

Hi Sean, great videos. It seems Ontario is mandating the increase of ethanol in fuel products. The only place that I can confirm is still ethanol free is Stinsons 91. Shell,Esso, Ultramar,CT,Costco have all switched even in their premium have 10% now. When/if this change happens fully is there anything you can recommend to prevent the issues you talk about here? Thanks!

[@shawnwilliams4177]

Folks, you don't want to store a boat with an empty internal fuel tank. The tank can start to corrode over lengthy time. If your boat engine runs on unleaded gas, I recommend ethenol free and an octane rating of at 89/91. also, 2 cans of Seafoam and/or some Starbrite for gas treatment. Before boating season, I would change the water seperator filter (that thingy looks like an oil filter).

[@jimjessie2704]

i just bought a new mercury 20 hp and they instructed me at the dealership to use nothing but regular gas with ethanol--different story for a boat with built in tank with vent which can draw moisture then use ethanol free gas

[@toejah]

One this about the station you get your fuel at if it has 93 octane all grades have ethanol.

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

Any need/benifit in adding stabilizer to 91 in boat stored over winter for say 7 months? Also- Should you top off boat with 91 ovef winter storage of leave very little in tank?

[@blakemills-v6r]

Good input

[@boatinglessons]

Glad you found it helpful:)

[@markneurohr9663]

Very informative! Thanks for the education.

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

The manual I found for my engine (Volvo 4.3 GL) says to run 91 octane. The sticker in the boat says 89 octane. But it will run fine on 87? I found a gas station locally that has all ethanol free fuel but the price difference from 87 to 89 to 91 is substantial.

[@gonefishin1234]

This is great advice. Thank you so much for your helpful tips. Do most or all marine gas stations carry an ethanol-free option?

[@boatinglessons]

I am not sure about “most”. They all should in my opinion. It certainly is a industry wide discussion.

[@bayview63]

Ok so now, 2024, all the high test fuels have ethanol. There are no more ethanol free fuels. What now???

[@meseahunt]

Thanks

[@johnperreault116]

Well, when I pull up to the fuel dock I have 2 choices. Regular gas at whatever octane rating they have or diesel. It’s not like i can trailer my 45 ft sedan bridge and take it to the local 7-Eleven and fill up.

[@andrewbritch5821]

Boat that sat for 2 years that was my last boat and cost me $1,000 to fix the issues

[@noespam2884]

Thanks for your video. Would you recommend, when storing your boat, to have a low tank so you can top it up with fresh fuel at the start of the next season or is there a reason not to do this? Thanks

[@dalltex]

Store it full with non-ethanol gas. If full then there is less air to bring moisture into the tank. If it's empty then you can get some condensation inside the tank due to expansion and contraction of the air inside.

[@terryleonard8639]

Thank you.

[@sultin666]

Good to Know. Thank You.

[@boatinglessons]

Our pleasure :)

[@TMcD3]

Is there a reason boat fuel systems are so open to the atmosphere? Aren’t cars a sealed system with minimal exposure to the atmosphere for fume leaks using the carbon canister to hold excess fumes and fuel evaporation?

[@boatinglessons]

Boat manufacturers have started using carbon canisters too. One main difference is that 9 times out of 10, a boat’s fuel pump is mounted on the engine and it draws (vacuum) the fuel out of the tank. In a car, the fuel pump is almost always in the tank and it pushes the fuel to the engine.

[@timothyblaze4556]

So i just want to make sure, I have a 1988 sunbird with the gm 4.3 engine in it. So whats better? 91 at the pump or 87 at the pump? Im tired of paying 7 bucks a gallon at the boat launch. Please help, thank you very much. I just dont wanna mess my engine up is all!

[@larrythompson5617]

So in Manitoba all of our fuel now contains ethanol. I use stabilizer all the time so should I store my boat with the tank empty even with stabilized fuel?

[@hankvana2149]

I use regular gas in my vehicle but for all of my small engines it's ethanol free premium.

[@jordanestrin505]

I live in CA usa , cant find ethanol free anywhere...any additives/or other options???

[@ChrisJu3]

Same here in Canada, no more ethanol free gas...

[@CP-jt6bw]

In Alberta it's rare to find ethanol free 91

[@derrickdaniels9947]

Ok Len, my 4-Stroke boat engine has a half of tank (about 15 gallons) of fuel that has went bad. Boat has set for 18 months. Engine is now running very rough. Any suggestions.

[@stevesigler5241]

Run 91 octane even in an outboard motor? I have a 97 mercury 150 efi.

[@foxlake6750]

Yes, 91 to 94 in boats and all small engines, I add fuel stabilizer

[@danielscrapper8207]

So only run 91 then ? Could this be why it boggs when I hit the throttle. Has anyone ran quicksilver quickleen for carb and engine cleaning

[@robertjackharris]

What about the fact that Yamaha specifies 87 octane in their 25 hp 4 stroke. Also the major gas suppliers in Vancouver BC say all our grades of due contain ethanol. What should a guy do?

[@boatinglessons]

Most engine manufacturers state a minimum 87 octane and the engines run perfectly well on it. It isn’t about performance, it is about storage (stability). If you can’t find ethanol free we would recommend using a fuel stabilizer at every fill up as insurance

[@josevasquez8193]

Is using a gasoline higher than 91 better ?

[@ems9297]

Is this the same for the states 91

[@amiabledave50]

91 octane was brought up because it's non-ethanol gas. 87 octane non-ethanol gas is good enough to put in your boat. Most high performance engines run on lower octane. Check your owner's manual. Or contact the engines manufacture

[@warren6172]

I can’t find “Ethanol Free” fuel. Even the 91 octane has it. It’s scary.

[@Nick_G7IZR]

Very helpful video, I've been waiting for something like this. Unfortunately, we don't have zero ethanol fuel here in the UK. We have just moved to E10 for standard fuel this September (2021) with E5 still being available in some places for "Super Unleaded". E5, however, is not available everywhere!

[@boatinglessons]

That is unfortunate :(

[@mikeb8688]

Thank you for the info but to be quite honest i have a big question mark about the fuel because on the mercury website the manufacturer clearly states the recommended fuel like so « Unleaded Regular 87 Octane Minimum (R+M/2) or 90 RON 10% Ethanol Maximum » should we not trust the manufacturer or perhaps the manufacturer displays the wrong information on it’s website. Hmmm… also what would be your recommendation on winter storage empty the fuel tank or make sure it’s full addind fuel stabilizer. Thnak you and again thanks for the video.

[@boatinglessons]

I think what Mercury is saying is that the engine will run fine on 87 (which it will). The full/empty camps are about 50/50. For several reasons I say low (about 1/4) is my preference

[@mikeb8688]

@@boatinglessons understood thank you for the info.

[@gonefishin1234]

@@boatinglessons Could you please expand on those reasons? I'd be really curious to know since most of the folks I know pump out all their fuel before storage, whether it be for a lawn mower or an RV or a boat. Thanks again!

[@hgyasi11]

Great explanation thank you!

[@boatinglessons]

Our pleasure!

[@jean-francoiscloutier7361]

Are you saying you could use 91 octane gas with ethanol ? Did I understand well ? Or simply use ethanol free gas.. The only gas station that offer ethanol free is Chevron at 92/94 octane in my area. This one ok ?

[@kevindflowers234]

So is the thing to look out for the octane level or the ethanol free? I have a gas station by my house that has 100% ethanol free 87 octane fuel. It is coincidentally 80ish cents cheaper than the ethanol free "marine fuel" at the boat ramp I frequent. I do not know the octane rating of the "marine fuel" but by labeling, the only difference is the "marine fuel" designation....and the upcharge in cost. Would the ethanol free 87 octane be sufficient for my 90hp Johnson outboard? Or would that present these problems later on that you have discussed? Thank you and thanks for the video.

[@boatinglessons]

Octane is not relevant for long term storage, ethanol free is. In most cases ethanol free is only available in higher octane. This of course varies significantly across the continent

[@kevindflowers234]

@@boatinglessons thank you.

[@aristidismellos3649]

I run a 2004 25hp 2 stroke mercury. I run 50:1 with 100LL av gas. What are your thoughts on this? I have advanced my timing to use the higher octane to its potential and also change plugs more regularly that normal. It is obviously zero ethanol and leaded for lubrication in the cylinder. Spec is 6 btdc and idle and 25 at 3500. I’m about 10 at idle and 31 at 3500. Without egr and other info I don’t wanna push it more

[@gorillam2]

Absolutely overkill and the engine is making less power with 100LL and you are also excessively polluting the lake, use a stabilizer and 94 octane. Your timing might be statically advanced but without dynamically changing the curve and a significantly higher compression ratio there's no benefit at all.

[@aristidismellos3649]

I didn’t include the whole build sheet but I get what you’re saying, it’s high compression with Chris Carson reeds. My mechanics hub dyno has it at 33 hp to the prop. Wish I would have gotten a stock base line though. I’m running open ports to air so minimal water pollution as well. You’re more than welcome to pay for my 94 and stabilizer if it bothers you that much

[@gorillam2]

Fair enough, just 100LL is extremely tough to run with 2 strokes. Jetting is weird the pollution and unavailable fuel if you need to gas up on the lake isn't worth it in most that's all. I find it a hell of a lot better for 4T's. Don't you have 100 octane pump fuel with no lead in the usa? Doesn't bother me a ton, it's just more sustainable using a pump fuel with a stabilizer that way you can rip all day and know that you aren't leaking lead into the lake. I know it's microscopic but lead is highly detectable in extremely small concentrations.

[@T3merity]

Do people ever drain their boats of fuel prior to storing it for winter? And what about larger boats with diesel engines? I am vaguely familiar with the damage a diesel truck's fueling system engine can sustain when run out of fuel... I'm wondering if draining a diesel-powered boat's tank of fuel will result in damage when it is restarted.

[@shawnwilliams4177]

Hi there, you don't want to drain your tank and leave it empty as it will leave the tank to corrosion if empty for a long time. If your motor runs on unleaded gas, I recommend pouring two bottles of Seafoam (you can get at any automotive store or Walmart) and/or Starbrite into your tank then fill up tank to almost full. I also recommend during the new boating season to replace water separator filter (not that expensive for piece of mind.). Get ethanol free gas, if not 91 octane gas. lastly, change fuel filter depending on usage time but every other year for piece of mind too.

[@KennethGillespie-j5x]

So use 100 percent gas like a for small engine like a mower

[@astroplutonium]

Here in Norway it is almost impossible to fill with pure petrol as all marinas carry E10 now. Only way would be to drag the boat on land to a gas station or buy a huge tank to haul to the boat... Would having a fuel filter with a clear bowl water separator (drainable) and adding additives help with this? Also why, since we all know the issue, arent marinas adding the additive and increasing the price per gallon by 2cents or something? It would be most practical for everyone... At this point it looks like they all know that is stacking bill and service requirements and noone is doing anything about it.... Anti-environmental anyone?

[@michaelhannan8305]

If I use 91 octane, non ethanol gasoline, should I ever use a fuel additive? Thank you

[@boatinglessons]

In our opinion, you would only need an additive if the boat was being stored for longer than four months

[@TheHallway7]

How would I safely dispose of old fuel?

[@saylormdx2]

Use it in your car if it is less than 6 months old.

[@marcvaillancourt9141]

So If I drain my boat fuel tank at the end of every season, including the fuel line and filters why would I need to use 91 octane fuel?

[@boatinglessons]

If you are sure every last bit of fuel is gone, then in theory you don’t. However, the ethanol can also be hard on some plastics and/or seal material also

[@khanhle-vu2hh]

Is rec 90 gas good enough for our boat or have to pump at marina 91 octane?

[@robertdean6222]

I was wondering the same thing because I have found only 90 octane ethanol free also at my lake . I think it will be fine because he did say 87 octane is even OK if you’re using it on a regular basis.

[@amiabledave50]

Octane rating doesn't matter as long as it's non-ethanol gas. 87 non ethanol is good enough

[@phoenixMaxxOnShop]

So just pump 91 everytime. 😊

[@michaelsteel5177]

It’s amazing that we are using up are soil to raise crops for gas. Soil has limited life of nutrients if not rested and will lower its yield and our food source. I will happily pay for 91.

[@yourmomsdildo3938]

Farmers know what they are doing. They aren't gonna destroy the soil to not be able to grow more crops the next season.

[@michaelsteel5177]

@@yourmomsdildo3938 farmers are paid by the government to not plant every year to keep the soil from turning into a bust bowl. Have you read Grapes of Wrath? My point is we should not use the fertile soil for energy purposes, there is plenty of energy underground.

[@kevinstyles5485]

K100

[@CarlBridgeforth]

Iam more confused than when I started watching the video

[@boatinglessons]

That’s not good! What did we not make clear? Feel free to comment or ask questions directly to [e-mail]

[@raylopez9153]

Me to 🤦‍♂️

[@raylopez9153]

@@boatinglessons Im in Vegas and I see no ethanol free gas pumps . What should I use ?

[@martech360]

Thx to the Canadian government we no longer have ethanol free gas but if you look hard enough you can get marked farm fuel from certain places that is 89 octane and ethanol free!

[@johnrogers8763]

And we put that ethanol junk in our cars.

[@jayrobertson232]

Total BS.

[@boatinglessons]

Tell me more about that. Why do you say that?

[@usmcraid5332]

Can you use 93 fuel instead of 91?

[@congsan3528]

Why does ethanol-free cost more than ethanol??? Ethanol does not help the environment anyway.

[@Maynardd]

Right? It doesn’t make sense. But my guess is because it’s better for your motor. And gas companies know this.

[@jasonhurdlow6607]

Farmer subsidies.

[@amiabledave50]

Corn-based fuels is a scam...

[@Johnrider1234]

High test real gasoline