Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Hi. Looking for some advice. I have a new boat on order (will post lots of pictures as soon as it is delivered) with a 2012 115hp Evinrude E-tec motor. The Evinrude website recommends 87 octane gas, but the marina I've chosen only sells 91 octane non-ethanol gas. Is this going to be a problem for my motor? Ugh! I'd hate to begin the process of shopping for a new marina as I like all the services this one offers, but I'd hate to mess up my brand new motor even more.

I've searched the forum but am stll confused. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Kim

It should work just fine but I doubt you will see the performance improvement higher octane will produce - it will be very small. Your marina is most likely (like ours) charging near a $ more per gallon than street.

It probably costs more than regular gas, but you don't have to pay extra for an additive so it evens out...or at least gets close.

I would call Evinrude and ask this question just to make sure it dosen't void any warranty. I doubt it does, but might be good just to double check.

Worst case...I am pretty sure there are other non-ethenol gas stations in Tarpon Springs where you could fill up some portable gas canisters. The marina I go to in Port Richey sells 89 octane non-ethenol fuel.

Thanks, Drago. I believe it's $4.10/gal, plus 10 cent Boat U.S. discount per gal. This is the one time I'm happy the boat only has a 24-gal gas tank!

By the way, some of the other marinas I looked at sell 87 octane as standard, then move to "recreational" or 91 octane during the summer months. I wonder if that is the normal practice. My marina sells 91 year round.

Ron, will definitely call Evinrude. Hadn't thought about warranty issues. What marina do you use? I checked out marinas from Largo to Tarpon Springs. Deciding on a marina was almost as nerve-wrecking as deciding on a pontoon (I won't even begin to tell you what I went through when looking at bow riders!). Nowadays, there could be worse things to worry about, so I'm

I think the only thing it will effect is your wallet. Personally I think it will run better with 91

If you are using higher octane gas than your motor needs you are wasting money. It won't really hurt anything but it won't help either.

Some car computers will advance the timing slightly more with high octane but I do not believe outboards do that.

lakerunner696 wrote: Personally I think it will run better with 91

I don't think so. Using a higher than needed octane will do nothing for performance. I like the fact that is is Ethanol free though.

Found some Evinrude FAQ here on this subject.
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Owners-Ce ... dFuel#qst3

My reasoning is this spring I added some 91 top tank because 87 pump was down. I think it idled smoother when I was trolling. Now I may have been imagining it.

go with whatever manuf sez. not sure how much info they can retrieve from the motor, maybe some mech might know. just would not want to chance them retrieving something that might affect your warranty.
doc

lakerunner696 wrote:.... Now I may have been imagining it.

Most likely.....

Running a higher octain will basicaly make the boat run richer. It wont hurt anything, but deff wont run better, Higher octain burns cooler for engines with alot of timing or high compression. Other than it will cost you more, you wont see differance. JT

Woody wrote:

lakerunner696 wrote:.... Now I may have been imagining it.

Most likely.....

Watch it woody or my signature may come out

Kim in FL wrote:Ron, will definitely call Evinrude. Hadn't thought about warranty issues. What marina do you use? I checked out marinas from Largo to Tarpon Springs. Deciding on a marina was almost as nerve-wrecking as deciding on a pontoon (I won't even begin to tell you what I went through when looking at bow riders!). Nowadays, there could be worse things to worry about, so I'm

I have used Sunset Landing Marina (http://sunsetlandingmarinas.com/) for all my repair/maintenance issues. I keep my boat at the in-laws so I don't use their Storage facilities, but they do offer them. If you ever need anything I would highly recommend them. They specialize in Evinrude E-Tech motors so they are very knowledgeable about you motor. The best part for me is that they are accesible from the water. It would take you about an hour from dock to dock for you to get there by water.