I am a dealer (33 years experience) in central Fl and i have heard it all from all of the engine manufacturers(i am a dealer for all), so here is the scoop...
Ethanol goes through phase separation when stored. So don't store fuel when it has Ethanol in it.
Ethanol eats fiberglass and other materials. It is a tremendous cleaner. It will loosen fuel deposits in fuel lines, tank, and filters and send the crap on down the stream to your engine mounted fuel filters and fuel injectors. So don't use ethanol fuel one week then reg fuel the next, just stay with the one that is more convenient. preferably reg fuel.
If you have fiberglass tanks (like Yellowfins and Boston Whalers) you are in trouble. get new tanks if possible.
Make sure you have the correct size props, ethanol will give you less power and make your engines work harder. You should prop your boat so that your engines reach the top or slightly above the rec rpm range with your normal load. If the boat labors to get on plane it is a sign that your props are too "big". If you hit the rev limiter when you throw the throttles down, then you may have too "small" a prop.
Change your fuel filters at least every year. If you want, cut hem open and look inside. If it looks clean, great, but let it dry and you may notice a white powder appears. This is clogging the filter element. It's like seaweed, blocks your view in the water, but remove it from the water and it shrinks.
There really is not much to maintaining these new engines. the most important maintenance is oil changes, checking anodes, keep water pump kit fresh, ck thermostats, fuel cap O-ring keep battery and electrical connections clean and free of corrosion. Some need spark plugs more often, some it's like your car- not too often. 90% of the problems we fix are either fuel related or overheating from worn out or mis-installed water pumps. Fuel injectors get clogged from fuel "turning" into varnish. Use the boat and open it up every now and then. call or write if you need any advice, i'm not soiciting, just offering free help. Bob Leatherman 407-249-1124 bobl@boattune.com
Ethanol goes through phase separation when stored. So don't store fuel when it has Ethanol in it.
Ethanol eats fiberglass and other materials. It is a tremendous cleaner. It will loosen fuel deposits in fuel lines, tank, and filters and send the crap on down the stream to your engine mounted fuel filters and fuel injectors. So don't use ethanol fuel one week then reg fuel the next, just stay with the one that is more convenient. preferably reg fuel.
If you have fiberglass tanks (like Yellowfins and Boston Whalers) you are in trouble. get new tanks if possible.
Make sure you have the correct size props, ethanol will give you less power and make your engines work harder. You should prop your boat so that your engines reach the top or slightly above the rec rpm range with your normal load. If the boat labors to get on plane it is a sign that your props are too "big". If you hit the rev limiter when you throw the throttles down, then you may have too "small" a prop.
Change your fuel filters at least every year. If you want, cut hem open and look inside. If it looks clean, great, but let it dry and you may notice a white powder appears. This is clogging the filter element. It's like seaweed, blocks your view in the water, but remove it from the water and it shrinks.
There really is not much to maintaining these new engines. the most important maintenance is oil changes, checking anodes, keep water pump kit fresh, ck thermostats, fuel cap O-ring keep battery and electrical connections clean and free of corrosion. Some need spark plugs more often, some it's like your car- not too often. 90% of the problems we fix are either fuel related or overheating from worn out or mis-installed water pumps. Fuel injectors get clogged from fuel "turning" into varnish. Use the boat and open it up every now and then. call or write if you need any advice, i'm not soiciting, just offering free help. Bob Leatherman 407-249-1124 bobl@boattune.com