In response to a recent misleading piece in BoatUS, which warned of marine engine damage due to ethanol, Keith Holmes, President and Owner of CK Motorsports, a certified Mercury Marine Engine & Racing service dealer, wrote a response that we thought worth sharing with our readers.

The Truth Behind Marine Engines and Ethanol
by Keith Holmes, President & Owner of CK Motorsports

The gasoline used by more than 95 percent of Americans, E10, contains 10 percent ethanol and is safe to use in marine engines. All current boat engines are warrantied for E10 and have been for nearly two decades. Yet for some reason, BoatUS has chosen to ignore this information and the countless owner’s manuals expressly approving the use of E10. They are preying on people’s fears instead of looking at the facts.

Proper care and maintenance are the best and easiest ways to protect boat engines. While E10 is a safe, reliable fueling option for both marine engines and automobiles, higher ethanol blends, such as E15, are not approved for use in marine engines.

Furthermore, no consumer is required to fill up with an ethanol blend, but E10, E15 and other fuels do give consumers the sorely needed ability to choose a fuel that meets their price and performance needs.

As the owner of CK Motorsports, a premier certified Mercury Marine Engine & Racing service dealer that services 400-500 boats annually, and has for over 20 years in Nunica, Mich., I believe it is important to set the record straight when it comes to ethanol and marine engines.

Here are just a few facts and observations I have made over my 20 years servicing marine engines:

• CK Motorsports does not see these phase separations with E10 ethanol as claimed in several boating industry articles, or special interest hit pieces.
• Certain companies are rather far-reaching in making claims; knowingly or unknowingly creating consumer confusion surrounding ethanol and its use in marine engines.
• Ethanol is a clean burning fuel, which is much better for our environment. Put simply, CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, CLEAN BOATING creates less carbon dioxide.
• CK Motorsports has found ethanol fuels help marine engines run cooler, run longer and make better horsepower gains. E10 ethanol absolutely IS an acceptable fuel for everyday use in marine engines.
• When E10 comes into contact with water, the ethanol will allow the fuel to absorb some or all of that water. Additionally, E10 ethanol also eliminates the need for freeze preventers.
• The primary cause of water collecting in fuel tanks is condensation from humid air.
• An engine running on E10 engine can ingest small amounts of water in the fuel without harming the engine.
• All Mercury Marine engines are warrantied for E10 Fuel.

Finally, it is important that all marine engine owners follow the instructions for normal storage preparation found in the operation, maintenance and warranty manuals. Failure to follow the proper operating procedures is the number one reason why boaters have fuel issues.

The bottom line is that if you have engine troubles, there are many possible causes, and you should not immediately assume E10 is the problem because the facts and my 20 years of experience show that ethanol is not to blame.

It’s time to stop the misinformation and scare tactics – it’s time for consumer choice, cleaner air and improved conservation efforts. That is what CK Motorsports believes in, because ethanol delivers.

Keith Holmes,
President, Owner
CK Motorsports
Certified Marine Technician