91 Octane?

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Kim in FL
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91 Octane?

#1 Post by Kim in FL » Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:18 am

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

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Drago
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Re: 91 Octane?

#2 Post by Drago » Sat Jul 16, 2011 5:59 am

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.
Kenneth & Joy
Lake Conroe, Texas
2007 Bennington 2577RFSi
2006 Yamaha F225
Solas 14.25x17SS prop
Best ever top speed 69.2KPH

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Ron Burgundy
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Re: 91 Octane?

#3 Post by Ron Burgundy » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:33 am

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.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"

2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands

The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen

Kim in FL
Posts: 80
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:50 am
Location: Florida

Re: 91 Octane?

#4 Post by Kim in FL » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:39 am

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.

Kim in FL
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Location: Florida

Re: 91 Octane?

#5 Post by Kim in FL » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:48 am

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 :happy

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lakerunner696
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Re: 91 Octane?

#6 Post by lakerunner696 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:32 am

I think the only thing it will effect is your wallet. Personally I think it will run better with 91
Loyd, AKA Angry Ol Bastard & Betty Meeks
Beautiful Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma
2008 F150 Lariat Super Crew
2004 Tracker Regency, 2010 Evinrude E-Tec 90
Haul Rite trailer

God bless our country, God damn it's enemy's.

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GregF
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Re: 91 Octane?

#7 Post by GregF » Sat Jul 16, 2011 7:39 am

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.
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha

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Woody
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Re: 91 Octane?

#8 Post by Woody » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:09 am

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.
2014 Benny (Until I find a replacement for my totaled JC Tritoon)


Usually somewhere on the TN River

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Drago
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Re: 91 Octane?

#9 Post by Drago » Sat Jul 16, 2011 8:16 am

Found some Evinrude FAQ here on this subject.
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Owners-Ce ... dFuel#qst3
Kenneth & Joy
Lake Conroe, Texas
2007 Bennington 2577RFSi
2006 Yamaha F225
Solas 14.25x17SS prop
Best ever top speed 69.2KPH

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lakerunner696
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Re: 91 Octane?

#10 Post by lakerunner696 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 9:49 am

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.
Loyd, AKA Angry Ol Bastard & Betty Meeks
Beautiful Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma
2008 F150 Lariat Super Crew
2004 Tracker Regency, 2010 Evinrude E-Tec 90
Haul Rite trailer

God bless our country, God damn it's enemy's.

dockholiday
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Re: 91 Octane?

#11 Post by dockholiday » Sat Jul 16, 2011 11:20 am

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

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Woody
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Re: 91 Octane?

#12 Post by Woody » Sat Jul 16, 2011 1:27 pm

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

Most likely..... :biggrin2
2014 Benny (Until I find a replacement for my totaled JC Tritoon)


Usually somewhere on the TN River

pond tuuunes
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Re: 91 Octane?

#13 Post by pond tuuunes » Sat Jul 16, 2011 2:26 pm

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
2002 playcraft extreme,26', I/O, 498 ci, 625 hp, 580 ft pounds of torgue, Dart alluminum heads, holly 850 carb, bravo XR drive. GPS 76 mph.

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lakerunner696
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Re: 91 Octane?

#14 Post by lakerunner696 » Sat Jul 16, 2011 3:25 pm

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

Most likely..... :biggrin2

Watch it woody or my signature may come out :thumbsup
Loyd, AKA Angry Ol Bastard & Betty Meeks
Beautiful Lake Tenkiller Oklahoma
2008 F150 Lariat Super Crew
2004 Tracker Regency, 2010 Evinrude E-Tec 90
Haul Rite trailer

God bless our country, God damn it's enemy's.

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Ron Burgundy
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Location: New Port Richey, FL

Re: 91 Octane?

#15 Post by Ron Burgundy » Sat Jul 16, 2011 6:40 pm

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 :happy

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.
-Ron Burgundy, "Stay Classy San Diego"

2005 Fiesta Fish n' Fun 20' 50HP Yamaha 2 Stroke
Fishing and Cruising Florida's Islands

The cure for anything is saltwater – sweat, tears, or the sea. Isak Dinesen

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