Boat problems with E10 continue to haunt ethanol industry as mistaken E100 delivery damages engines in California

In California and elsewhere in the US, boaters continue to report difficulties with the conversion to E-10. This week, a mistaken delivery of E100 to the fuel dock at Two Harbors resulted in engine damage to boats whose owners through they were buying unleaded gasoline. The marina flushed its tanks and issued a recall to boaters to verify their fuel, and assist and instruct on tank cleaning and E100 removal.

Older boats with fiberglass tanks have reported that ethanol eats away the tank, and have reported fuel line problems and water absorption that has ruined the fuel. The fiberglass problem is estimated by boat magazine Seaworthy to affect up to 10,000 boats.

The EPA has indicated that it cannot approve higher blends than E10 in vehicles unless it is proven safe in other uses of gasoline, including not only boats but outdoor power equipment such as mowers and weed whackers. “Determining automobile policy based on weed whackers is just ridiculous to me,” Ron Lamberty, market development director of the American Council for Ethanol told theadvertiser.com.

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