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Oregon State Marine Board
Sail Boats

E-10 (Ethanol) in Gasoline and Where to Find Non-Blended Gas
What Boat Owners Need to Know!
Background, Precautions and Water Hazards
The following information came from articles published in August/September 2006 issue of Professional Boat Builder and Seaworthy Magazine from Boat U.S., November 2007.
 
              By the fall of 2008, Oregon will join a list of other states with legislation to reduce carbon emissions from automobiles and boats, using E10 (10 percent ethanol additive) in gasoline. The widespread adoption of E10 –an alcohol derived from fermented carbohydrates –as a gasoline additive may be good news for the environment, but can be a potentially costly issue for boat owners, builders and repairers. 
 
            E10 is increasing in popularity for two main reasons: our nation’s fuel demand, and our environmental awareness. Ethanol can be produced domestically; it performs as an effective oxygenate, reducing harmful emissions such as benzene. It doesn’t contaminate groundwater the way the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) can.
 
            For the marine industry, though, ethanol raises some issues.  Ethanol is a solvent that doesn’t mix well with the additive MTBE fuel in some tanks.  Combining MTBE with E10 scours fuel systems, overburdening filters, breaks down fiberglass fuel tanks and rapidly absorbs water from atmospheric humidity.  The result is a brief shelf life.  Adopting E10 into fuel is changing the way gasoline-powered boats are maintained, serviced, used and even constructed.
 
            The good news is that there are many ways to protect boats, owners, builders, and repairers from the potential hazards of the switch to ethanol.
 
PRECAUTIONS FOR BOAT OWNERS FOR THE SWITCH TO E10
 
  • Run a non-alcohol fuel stabilizer in your boat’s fuel system at all times.  Recommended for engines that sit for a lengthy period.
  • The more use the boat gets, the less likely it is to have problems.
  • *If you winterize your boat and don’t plan on using it for a while, keep your tank 95% FULL to prevent any condensation but allow room for expansion. It's important to avoid water intrusion into your fuel system. (See below for more detailed information on “why.”)
  • Install a water-separating fuel filter.
  • Keep a stock of spare fuel filters handy, and the means for safely changing them.
  • Replace older weather-faded plastic portable tanks with new tanks.
  • Make sure you know what your fuel retailer is dispensing.
  • Rubber fuel lines older than the mid-to-late 1980’s should be inspected and may need to be replaced.
  • Some older carbureted engines may require special tuning. Consult the engine manufacturer for details.
 
 
Water Hazards
            Ethanol absorbs water extremely well. Marine fuel systems are very susceptible to water intrusion. E10 has the ability to absorb a certain amount of water into solution and simply allow it to be burned by the engine.  Here’s the comparison: MTBE gasoline can hold about 60 ppm (parts per million) of water in solution; E10 can hold 6,000 to 7,000 ppm of water in solution.  Meaning, if you have a 100 gallon (378.5 liters) tank, it could hold up to .6 - .7 gallons (2.3 – 2.6 liters) of water in solution.
 
           The biggest problem with ethanol for an alternative is with “phase separation.” That’s what happens when the fuel is saturated beyond it’s capacity to hold water in solution.  Water and gasoline actually separate, and the gasoline floats on top of the water.  With MTBE you could simply pump the water out from under the gasoline, or let your filters remove the water.  With E10, ethanol blends more easily with any water.  When phase separation occurs in E10, the ethanol is pulled out of the gas and absorbed by water.  This results in two solutions, neither of which is good for the engine or fuel system…not to mention the environment.  The gasoline left behind is absent of oxygenate. The water left behind now contains a high concentration of ethanol; this solution is highly corrosive and damages any material it may come in contact with in the fuel system. The only solution for phase-separated fuel is to dispose of the entire fuel load, clean the tank, and start over with a fresh tank of E10.
 
            E10’s ability to absorb water has yet another drawback; it can absorb water directly from the atmosphere through the vent while simply sitting in the tank.  In just 100 days at 70% humidity, E10 can absorb enough water to phase-separate.  The shelf life of E10 is only 60-90 days if left without treatment.
 
            Another important fact to remember is that gasoline “oxidizes” when exposed to air. That is, it loses its volatility over time.  A good non-alcohol fuel stabilizer is highly recommended at all times in your boat’s fuel. *The key is to not leave a boat for long periods of time with a large load of fuel aboard.
 
            For more information and preventative tips, visit http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy.

Other News Related Articles
 
"Gas, Ethanol Not a Good Mix For Boats" by Roy Gault, Statesman Journal
 
"E-20, A New Ethanol Concern " from Soundings Magazine
 
"Trouble in the Tank"  by Bill Monroe, The Oregonian
 
"Law Puts Biofuel Mix in Pumps" by Gail Kinsey Hill, The Oregonian
 
KGW Report -New Ethanol Rules Take Effect in Nine OR counties 
 
"Ethanol's Effects Bother Boaters " -by Gail Kinsey Hill, The Oregonian
 
"Bill May Drain Ethanol from Off-Road Gasoline " -by Gail Kinsey Hill, The Oregonian
 
Join in on the conversation at www.iFish.net.
 
Local Helpful Advice
Fuel Stabilizers for Gasoline
Because E-10 gasoline has a much shorter "shelf-life" than blended gasoline, Wayne Bauman, Treasurer for the Beaverton Power Squadron, recommends three different products boaters can use with E-10:
  • Marine Formula Sta-Bil
  • Soltron Enzyme Fuel Treatment
  • Star Tron Gasoline Additive.
 
These products stabilize the E-10 for up to one year.  They also have a petroleum distillate base instead of an isopropyl alcohol and OMC2+4 Fuel Conditioner that are recommended for regular (non-blended) gasoline.
Where to Find Non-Blended Fuel
Information is continually being updated with the assistance from the Department of Agriculture.
 
This information can be used to help retailers find distributors and boaters to find retailers!
 
NOTE: Many distributors only deliver large quantities (by the barrel) to retailers, so look on the list below for a retailer near you!
 
*Some CFN (Commercial Fueling Network) Card locations are also listed which apply to active businesses and farms where the gasoline is used for business only, and purchase over 900 gallons of fuel annually.
 
Here are the latest locations (not in alphabetical order):
 

 LOCATION  County  Distributor/Retailer
Fuel-N-Go Eugene
WW Cardlock Inc.
33100 A Van Duyn Rd
Eugene, OR 97408
541-942-2631
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Rocky Point Resort
28121 Rocky Point Rd.
Klamath Falls, OR  97601
541-356-2287
 Klamath Retailer -non-blended
Black Distributing Inc.
2150 Broadway
Baker City, OR 97814
541-523-4575
 Baker Distributor -non-blended
Penny Pinchers #2
Shirtcliff Oil Co.
385 W. Main St.
Canyonville, OR 97417
541-863-5268
 Douglas Distributor -non-blended
Cleverger's Automotive
38955 Hwy 226
Scio, OR 97374
503-394-3302
 Linn Retailer -non-blended
Barnes Fuel Oil Service
248 Calapooia St.
Sutherlin, OR 97479
541-459-2255
 Douglas Retailer -non-blended
Clevenger Auto
38955 Hwy 226
Scio, OR  97374
503-394-3302
 Linn Retailer -non-blended
Wagon Wheel Grocery
69845 Wildwood Rd
North Bend, OR  97459
541-759-3409
 Coos Retailer -non-blended
Orchard Point Marina
27060 Clear Lake Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402
541-461-7886
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Port of Newport
600 SE Bay Blvd
Newport, OR 97365
541-867-3321
 Lincoln Retailer -non-blended
Scipio's Goble Landing
70360 Columbia River
Rainier, OR 97048
503-556-6510
 Columbia Retailer -non-blended
Mathers Market
LD Wing Jr. & LL Hopkins
38477 McKenzie Hwy
Springfield, OR 97478
541-726-8570
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Red Carpet Car Wash
L & D Inc.
1144 NE 3rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-2652
 Deschutes Retailer -non-blended
Jasper Store
36763 Jasper-Lowell
Jasper, OR 97438
541-746-2032
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Marc Nelson Oil Products, Inc.
1977 Claxter Rd. NE
Salem, OR 97303
503-363-7676
 Marion Distributor/Retailer -non-blended
Lebanair Aviation
1600 Airway Rd.
Lebanon, OR 97355
970-596-3116
 Linn Retailer -non-blended
Wilco Farm Stores
www.wilco.coop
  • 815 West Main St
         Battleground, WA 98604
         360-687-3113
  • 2741 N. Hwy 99W
         McMinnville, OR 97128
         503-472-6154
  • 734 McClaine St
         Silverton, OR 97381
         503-873-8318
  • 195 East Hazeldell Way
         Canby, OR 97013
         503-266-2213
  • 2300 E. Hancock St.
         Newberg, OR 97132
         503-537-2659
  • 1385 N. First St.
         Stayton, OR 97383
         503-769-6301
  • 664 Baseline St.
         Cornelius, OR 97113
         503-992-1346
  • 19224 S. Molalla Ave.
         Oregon City, OR 97045
         503-656-0616
  • 33685 Hwy 99E
         Tangent, OR 97389
         541-926-4404
 
 Clark
Yamhill
Marion
Clackamas
Washington
Benton
 Wholesaler/Distributor -non-blended premium
*sells packaged 5 galon containers
Colvin Oil Co.
  • 2520 Foothill Blvd
      Grants Pass, OR 97526
  • 20 S. Stage Rd
       Medford, OR 97501
 Josephine
 
 
Jackson
 Wholesaler/Distributor -non-blended
Orchard Point Campground (Fern Ridge Reservoir)
27060 Clear Lake Road
Eugene, OR 97402
541-461-7886
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Hood River Supply Assn.
1995 12th St.
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-2757
 Hood River Retailer -non-blended
Lemolo Lake Resort
2610 Birds Point Rd.
Idleyld Park, OR 97447
541-643-0750
 Douglas Retailer -non-blended
Jerry Brown Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 41390
Eugene, OR
541-688-8211
  • 93244 Hwy 99
          Junction City, OR
  • 1616 N. 30th St.
          Springfield, OR
  • 25067 Jeans Rd.
          Veneta, OR
  • 2690 Prairie Rd.
          Eugene, OR
 
 Lane Wholesaler/Distributor -non-blended
*CFN Cards Only
Noti Market
22528 Noti Loop Rd.
Noti, OR 97461
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Elkton Station
14940 State Hwy 38
Elkton, OR 97436
 Douglas Retailer -non-blended
Salmon Harbor Marina
100 Ork Rock Rd.
Winchester Bay, OR 97467
www.winchesterbayrvresort.com
 Douglas Retailer -non-blended
Detroit Lake Marina
115 Breitenbush
Detroit, OR 97342
503-854-3423
 Marion Retailer -non-blended
Heller's
Box 66
Hermiston, OR 97838
541-567-6582
 Umatilla Distributor -non-blended/diesel
Umatilla Marina Park
1710 Quincy St.
Umatilla, OR 97882
541-922-3224
541-922-3939 (marina office)
www.umatillarvpark.com
 Umatilla Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Jackson & Son Oil
84721 Happel Ln.
Seaside, OR 97138
503-738-5833
 Clatsop Distributor -non-blended/diesel
Port of Astoria
West Mooring Basin
10 Pier I, Suite 102
Astoria, OR 97103
503-791-7731
marina@portofastoria.com
 Clatsop Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Ed Staub
Crescent Lake, OR
541-433-9511
 Lane Distributor
Shelter Cove Resort
W. Odell Lake Rd. Hwy 58
Crescent Lake, OR 97733
541-433-2548
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Lakeside Marina
PO BOX "F"
Lakeside, OR 97449
541-759-3312
 Coos Retailer -non-blended
North Lake Resort -Tenmile Lake
2090 North Lake Rd
Lakeside, OR 97449
 Coos Retailer -non-blended
Miller Oil
2158 O'Neil Hwy
Prinveville, OR 97754
 Crook Distributor -non-blended
Juniper Fuel
213 E. Antler Ave.
Redmond, OR 97756
541-548-1035
 Crook Distributor -non-blended
Prineville Reservoir Resort
19600 SE Juniper Canyon Rd.
Prineville, OR 97754
541-447-7468
 Crook Retailer -non-blended
Carson Oil
P.O. Box 10948
Portland, OR 97206
541-386-3611
 Multnomah Distributor -non-blended/diesel
Port of Hood River Marina
1000 E. Port Marina Dr.
Hood River, OR 97031
541-386-1645
www.portofhoodriver.com
 Hood River Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Kane's Marina
530 Clester Rd.
Detroit, OR 97342
503-854-3362
www.kanesmarina.com
 Marion Retailer -Non-blended
Port of Port Orford
300 Dock Rd.
Port Orford, OR 97465
541-332-7121
portoffice@harborside.com
 Curry Retailer -Diesel and E-10 blended
Hatten Hauer Distributing
201 W. 1st Street
The Dalles, OR 97058
541-296-3515
 Hood River Distributor -Diesel and E-10 blended
The Dalles Yacht Club
Port of The Dalles Marina
The Dalles, OR 97058
541-296-6411
www.gorge/net/broth
 Hood River Retailer -Diesel and E-10 blended
Port of Gold Beach
29891 Harbor Way
Gold Beach, OR 97444
541-247-6269
www.portofgoldbeach.com
 Curry Retailer -Diesel and E-10 blended
Russell's Marine Fuel & Supply LLC.
63657 Boat Basin Rd.
Charleston, OR 97420
541-888-4711
 Coos Retailer -non-blended/diesel
IN WATER BOATS ONLY
Ferrells Fuel Network
P.O. Box 11
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
541-884-5167
 Klamath Distributor -non-blended
Pelican Marina
928 Front St.
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
541-882-5834
 Klamath Retailer -non-blended
Sunlake Marina
96315 Sunlake Lane
Lakeside, OR 97449
541-759-3869
 Coos Retailer -non-blended
Tyree Oil, Inc.
341 Newmark Ave.
North Bend, OR 97459
541-756-9776
 Coos Distributor -premium non-blended/diesel
*Will sell non-blended fuel to the public, by the barrel only.
Port of Bandon
High Dock, First St. SE
Bandon, OR 97411
541-347-1901
 Coos Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Donaldson's Marina
3501 Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97211
503-288-6169
 Multnomah Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Fred's Marina
12800 NE Marina Way
Portland, OR 97231
503-286-5537
 Multnomah Retailer -non-blended
RSC Equipment Rental, Inc.
2661 NE Stephens
Roseburg, OR 97470
541-677-1959
 Douglas Retailer -non-blended
Port of Brookings
16408 Lower Harbor Rd.
Brookings, OR 97415
541-469-2218
www.port-brookings-harbor.org
 Curry Retailer -non-blended/diesel/blended (E-10)
North Lake RV Resort & Marina
2090 North Lake Rd.
Lakeside, OR 97449
 Coos Retailer -cannot fill trailered boats
non-blended
ABHI's One Stop Market
Kiranjit Kaur
85039 Hwy 101 S
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-3242
 Lane Retailer -non-blended
Northwest Solvents & Supply
509 Chambers St.
Eugene, OR
541-342-3798
 Lane Distributor -non-blended
Port of Siuslaw
100 Harbor St.
Florence, OR 97439
 Lane Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Carson-Davis Oil Co.
280 Newmark
North Bend, OR 97459
541-756-3426
 Coos Distributor -non-blended
*Will sell non-blended fuel to the public, by the barrel only.
Don Thomas Petrolium
P.O. Box 10223
Portland, OR 97296
503-227-0145
 Multnomah Distributor -non-blended
Staff Jennings Marina
8240 SW Macadam Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
 Multnomah Retailer -premium non-blended/diesel
Garibaldi Marina
302 Mooring Basin
Garibaldi, OR 97118
 Tillamook Retailer -non-blended
Sheldon Oil Co.
2801 Third St.
Tillamook, OR 97141
503-842-2172
 Tillamook Distributor -non-blended
Rocky Pointe Marina
23586 NW St. Helens Rd.
Portland, OR 97231
www.rpmarina.com
 Multnomah Retailer -non-blended/diesel
Wilcox & Flegel
P.O. Box 974
St. Helens, OR 97051
503-397-0130
 Columbia Distributor -non-blended
Wilcox & Flegel
95 Panel Way
P.O. Box 69
Longview, WA  98632
360-423-3300
 Clark Distributor
CG Incorporated
105 N. Moss
Lowell, OR 97452
541-937-3124
  Lane  Retailer

 
Page updated: September 19, 2008

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