GL: Subject: Re: Ethanol in fuel and dinghy gas

[Dave Clark]

 John Gill Wrote:
<snip>
"The issue is why should boaters pay a dollar or more for gasoline or
diesel fuel than for highway use and still have ethanol in the fuel.
Why isn't ethanol put in aviation fuel -  answer they don't want too
many plane crashes and boats only sink."

Correct. Also there are approvals for some low compression aircraft engines 
to use auto fuel but specifically not containing ethanol. There is a simple 
test for ethanol by using any syringe, beaker, etc. and putting in a small 
measured amount of water then adding gas, shaking it up and wait until it 
settles. Any ethanol will increase the apparent amount of water as it 
combines with the water. (another corrosive problem).

As for old dinghy gas (and portable gensets, lawnmowers etc.) I run at least 
the last tank of the season on avgas. They start first pull the next year. 
Or even five years later for that matter. Avgas evaporates without leaving 
any residue.I even run avgas only in some of the generators and such that I 
use infrequently with no harm to them at all.

Dave Clark