Comments for This Old Boat

Comment on Dealing with E-10 Ethanol Gasoline in a Marine Environment with StarTron by Rusty Waples

Rusty Waples — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:46:21 +0000

Gumout has a fuel stabilizer that fights the bad effects of ethanol/gasoline. It works in marine environements too. They also have a flex fuel fuel injector cleaner that works in gasoline motors/engines that use gasoline with ethanol (10%-85%/e10 e85). It doesn’t state that it is for marine application, but would imagine it would be ok. Niether product has alcohol in their formula.

Comment on New Boat review – The Riviera 41 Flybridge by Red Microwave

Red Microwave — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:17:24 +0000

Could you go into more detail on this? Btw, the advice you gave me is really good.

Comment on Dealing with E-10 Ethanol Gasoline in a Marine Environment with StarTron by By using StarTron Fuel Additive you can keep Ethanol Phase Separation at Bay, so your boat can leave the Harbor..

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:06:12 +0000

[...] Last year I wrote an article titled “Dealing with E-10 Ethanol Gasoline in a Marine Environment with StarTron” on This Old Boat Blog. For those who have followed my advice, the chances of those being hit with Ethanol Phase Separation have been greatly minimized. To simply recap, most of the fuel on the water today is E-10 fuel, that’s 10% of Ethanol. In a marine environment, with fuel tanks vented to the atmosphere, moisture can get into the fuel via everyday condensation. That little bit of water has a chemical reaction with the Ethanol, attaching the water molecules to the Ethanol. When this happens, the Ethanol separates from the fuel, creating a jelly like substance that floats in the fuel. The fuel loses octane and has a cloudy appearance. The separated Ethanol eventually clogs the fuel filters and damages the carburetors and/or fuel injectors. As the boats start to run rough and stall out, it’s too late…you’re headed for costly repairs. [...]

Comment on Dealing with E-10 Ethanol Gasoline in a Marine Environment with StarTron by Dent Removal Guy

Dent Removal Guy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:56 +0000

Wow. This is some great info on E-10 for your boats. I will make sure to follow these tips when I take my boat out this summer.

Comment on The launching of “This Old Boat” by Jim Stewart

Jim Stewart — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:44 +0000

I have a 1988 Tempest bowrider powered by a 2.5 inboard outboard Mercruiser. I have water leaking thru the rubber seal around the rear engine area.
How do I go about replacing the seal so it does not leak into the engine cavity?

Comment on New Boat review – The Riviera 41 Flybridge by Russ G

Russ G — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:41:51 +0000

For WAY less than the numbers quoted in the original post I sell a CNC-machined, mig-welded, POWDER-COATED conversion complete with USCG-approved marine alternator, V-belt, and all hardware. This will give you charging at a dead-on 14.5V and supply up to 68 amps – way more than you’ll ever need – without cooking a battery. Call 617.699-2153 for ordering instructions, or email russghull@netzero.net

Comment on New Boat review – The Riviera 41 Flybridge by Shane

Shane — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 00:09:21 +0000

Cool boat. I also like the Haines Hunter boats which also have nice styling, and are very reliable too.

Comment on Troubleshooting why a Mercruiser 470 Inboard/Outboard does not start by Bonita

Bonita — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:15:56 +0000

Well said.

Comment on Troubleshooting why a Mercruiser 470 Inboard/Outboard does not start by Administrator

Administrator — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:06:20 +0000

If you still are not getting a spark after changing everything, then check your spark plug wires.

Comment on Troubleshooting why a Mercruiser 470 Inboard/Outboard does not start by Perry Degener

Perry Degener — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:59:50 +0000

The 6 volt systems are tricky. I have a 1957 6 volt Chris Craft. I changed the coil, points, and condenser. Still no spark. Any ideas?

Comment on Troubleshooting why a Mercruiser 470 Inboard/Outboard does not start by Ron Blight

Ron Blight — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:17:53 +0000

I have good spark coming from the coil to the distributor on my 1986 190 Mercruiser. There is no spark going to the plugs. I then installed a new cap, rotor, points and condenser. There is still no spark to the plugs. Any ideas?