Department of Energy: E15 causes “severe damage” to marine engines

Related Content

Last 5 stories in News

• RBC Markets Fall Survey: dealers expect "More of the Same" - October 25, 2011
• IMI release 18-month training calendar and catalog - October 25, 2011
• Everglades Boats partners with NBOA and Best Buy - October 25, 2011
• IYRS and RIMTA introduce lecture series on environmental issues - October 25, 2011
• FYBA names executive director - October 25, 2011

Other stories that might interest you...

• NMMA offers new four-stroke oil standard
• NMMA pleased with new fuel policy
• Problems with DI, EFI engines decline
• The Ethanol Hangover
• J.D. Power and Associates reports on marine engine customer satisfaction

October 25, 2011
Filed under News
WASHINGTON – The results from two studies conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the effects of E15 on marine engines were released on Friday, showing that the gasoline and ethanol blend can cause issues including drivability, materials compatibility, increased emissions, and long-term durability in outboard, stern drive and inboard engines, according to the release.

New Chicago Fire Boat

New Chicago Fire Boat

Boating Industry Webinar

Boating Industry Webinar

2 die when sailboat capsizes during Mackinac race: 'A hell of a night'

2 die when sailboat capsizes during Mackinac race: 'A hell of a night'

The Future of Reliable GPS Service is in question

July 12, 2011   Dear BoatU.S. Member,   As a result of a new proposal to use radio bandwidth right next to the existing GPS service, the future reliability of the GPS system across the United States is now in question.  We encourage you to contact the FCC during a short 30-day public comment period, to help them understand the public’s need for continued, reliable GPS signals for safe navigation on boats, in cars, and for so many other daily uses.   CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION   Background:  Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave conditional approval to a private company, LightSquared, to begin a nationwide broadband service adjacent to the radio spectrum used for GPS.  After concerns from user groups (including BoatU.S.), the FCC required significant testing and a report for potential conflicts with aviation, cellular, navigation, and four other GPS uses before this proposal could move forward.  In that June 30th report the navigation sub-team concluded  “that all phases of the LightSquared deployment plan will result in widespread harmful interference to GPS signals and service and that mitigation is not possible.”   For more information: www.BoatUS.com/gov   In 2010 the US Coast Guard shut down Loran, leaving mariners using electronic navigation to rely solely on GPS.  Now, this fast-moving threat to GPS could pull the plug on our ability to safel navigate within the U.S.  Public comments on LightSquared’s proposal will be taken until Saturday, July 30, 2011.  Following that, the FCC will make a determination on what this private company can do with this vital public resource.   We ask that you take a minute today, as a boater and a citizen, to request that the FCC reject the proposed LightSquared plan to deploy a private nationwide broadband service that can cripple the nation’s GPS systems.  Because it is not easy to find your way through the FCC’s comment web forms, we suggest you follow the link below.  Our software will help you easily construct a letter, which will be electronically delivered to your Members of Congress and BoatU.S.  We will then print your letter and hand deliver it to the FCC before they close on Friday, July 29th.   CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION   If you have any additional questions, please contact BoatU.S. Government Affairs at Govtaffairs@BoatUS.com   Thank you for being a BoatU.S. Member!   Margaret Podlich Vice President, BoatU.S. Government Affairs Govtaffairs@BoatUS.com 703-461-2878 x8363    DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. If you prefer not to receive BoatU.S. Government Affairs Alert emails go to http://www.boatus.com/gov/unsub.asp or use the link at the bottom of this message.

If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

Raising Lakes Huron, Michigan costly

Associated Press TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Artificially raising water levels in Lakes Huron and Michigan to compensate for drop-offs caused by human tinkering is technologically feasible but would take decades to achieve and could cost more than $200 million, according to a report prepared for a U.S.-Canadian advisory panel.  More...

WATERCRAFT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

WATERCRAFT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking boaters to report how they operate and maintain their boats as a part of determining new recreational watercraft management practices. The deadline for comments is June 2.

"Management Practices would be methods, techniques, or tools which could mitigate any environmental impact of normal discharges into our waters,"
said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Margaret Podlich. "They will vary according to boat type and what that vessel could potentially discharge. For example, the EPA is looking at engine maintenance and could create a management practice that requires the use of a bilge sock to soak up oil in your engine compartment. Of course, this couldn't apply to a rowboat. But it's important to understand they are looking at all recreational watercraft."

To hear boaters' concerns and suggestions, the EPA has set up two ways to
communicate: Boaters can be heard at the agency's alternative weekly online webinars that started March 21 and end April 25; or Boaters can e-mail the EPA directly at CleanBoatingAct-HQ@EPA.GOV until June 2. -- Read on:
http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=2735713



Courtesy of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt.  

Editorial- Saving boating

We each approach problems differently.   Plumbers will grab a pipe wrench and plumbers putty first.   Electricians will grab electrical tape and wire.   Carpenters will grab hammer and nails, and so on.   It is hard for us to see outside and get some distance from the problem.  Our club members are aging and compounded with rising fuel and maintenance costs,  both power and sail members have been hit hard.  

If we were to take a survey and ask each member how many hours they actually spent on the water, cruising or racing, last year, I'm sure the numbers would be a whole lot smaller than the year before.   A survey would be a good thing to do by the way.   Not only does the CS&PS have declining numbers, but the actual time spent on the water is also declining I believe, from my observations.   Boating is in serious trouble.  

In my opinion we are not alone in this mess, yacht clubs have been hit hard too, and they are actively out there trying to get membership, cutting prices, offering incentives and making their programs more member friendly.   US Sailing's solution is, like the carpenter, using what they know and are good at, racing, to bring new life into boating.   This next Americas Cup Campaign, has similar goals, is just beginning with the promise of many more hours of TV Coverage, new exciting venues and lots of action with the AC45 Catamarans.   But sailboat racers are boaters.   They need the skills that we should be teaching, the basic tools and advanced tools of boat handling and navigation all play a roll in getting around the buoys and to the next waypoint and port.   And there are other opportunities that we should look at to encourage safer boating.   Boat maintenance, upgrading electronics, safety at sea, vest selection for inshore and offshore racers and so on are all things we can provide. 

I think, my opinion, it is time to get more deeply involved in Sailing, both racing and cruising from both a social and educational perspective.   And perhaps personally members should take a careful look at how much or little they actually know about sailing, sailboat handling, and sailboat performance.   We are the experts, we take and teach the courses to make boating fun and safe.   I believe we should take a moment and look at what we were doing in the past, reevaluate what we did, what worked, what didn't and come to an agreement about how we can do better going forward.    

I attended several seminars this winter and spring sponsored by various groups including the Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron, Waukegan Yacht Club, Chicago Yacht Club, and the Tartan T-10Fleet..  There was a full house at each of these events.   Membership committees were out in full force at each of these events talking up their club.   Actively looking to sign up new members.   

The new meeting location is a great location for Chicago boaters to meet.   Seminars on interesting topics to Sail Boaters, both race and cruise would really attract a good crowd.   We need something/someone to drive our membership and educational programs and maintain our long standing record of excellent service to the boating community.   

Please feel free to post your comments here or email them to me directly.

Sincerely,

Thomas King, AP
Sailor

Sailors: Tactics Seminar, Saturday Feb. 19, 2011

DIY Skills Classes at Strictly Sail. Signup Now.

Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron

Here's the classes we'll be offering.

America's Boating Course (ABC) is our basic boating course and will begin at College of Lake County on Thursday, January 27 from 7-9pm. Classes finish up March 24. You can register at the College of Lake County IL web site, the class is CREC 23 - Boating Safety.

Marine Electrical System begins Wednesday February 9 from 7-9pm.

Marine Electrical Systems (MES) covers the practice of wiring your boat, including boat electrical wiring practices and diagrams, direct and alternating current power, galvanic and stray current corrosion, and lightning protection. Troubleshooting is emphasized throughout, so students should feel comfortable performing even tricky wiring tasks after passing this course. This is usually an 8 week class.

Seamanship start Thursday March 31 from 7-9pm.

Seamanship builds on the basics of recreational boating presented in the ABC course, Seamanship adds foundational information for continuing boater education. The course contents should facilitate knowledge development for increased safe operation of recreational boats and provide the basis for completion of USCG licensing examination. Emphasis within the course has been placed on higher level boating skills, rules of the road, and marlinespike. This is usually an 8 week class.

Piloting start Thursday March 31 from 7-9pm.

Piloting is the first of the navigational classes focusing on techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. This is usually an 8 week class.

Thanks for taking the time to read about our classes.

Cdr. Mike Ludtke N
Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron
815-575-0809