WASHINGTON — As the three-day Memorial Day weekend rapidly approaches and people head out to the beach and onto the water, Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, released the following statement noting that E10 can be safely used in marine engines:

“There has been a fair amount of misinformation lately about the use of ethanol in marine engines. But boating enthusiasts heading to the water this weekend need to know that E10 has been used successfully in marine engines for 30 years now. E10 has been approved for years in engines made by popular marine manufacturers including Johnson/Evinrude, Mercury Marine, Pleasurecraft and more. Indeed, E10 gives boaters the extra octane boost they need to pull skiers, tubers, or wake boarders while also keeping the water clean by reducing harmful exhaust emissions.”

Dinneen issued a caution, however, when it comes to using a 15 percent ethanol blend in marine engines, explaining, “While E10 has been a part of the fuel supply for decades, E15 is relatively new to the market. Until further testing can be completed, E15 and other higher-level ethanol blends are not approved for use in boat engines.”

For more information on ethanol and boating check out RFA’s Q&A document, which answers questions such as “Can I use E10 in an outboard motor? What about an inboard motor?” and “Will the use of ethanol-blended fuels void my engine warranty?” In addition to basic background information it also discusses manufacturers’ fuel recommendations, equipment compatibility, equipment storage, and fuel deterioration. The Q&A document stresses that boat owners should always “Refer to the owner’s manual for each specific piece of equipment for all engine and fuel information.” The full document can be found here.