Lots of variables, information and mis-information:
 
One of the big sources of problems are with older systems that switch over to ethanol after years of straight gas. There are deposites left in the fuel system that are relatively harmless as long as they stay where they are. Ethanol doesn't leave deposites. The ethanol disolves them and they move down stream often in small chunks that clog downstream orifaces. Once a few tanks have been run thru most of these issues will go away. (fiberglass fuel tanks are a different much bigger issue)
 
Long term storage is problematic as the ethonal attracts moisture speeding the process of condensate forming at the bottom of the tank to suprise you in the spring. We've gone with emptying the tanks when the boat won't be used for a while (dump it into the car and use it up pretty quick but we only carry 60 gallons if everything is topped up. We only had 5 gallons left the last time we hauled out.). When we launch, we sound the tanks to check for water then fill with fresh fuel.
 
Marina fuel is expensive because it's a specialty fuel and they buy in small amounts. For comparison: I can usually find a 2 liter of coke for $1.25. Go to the mini mart and buy a single serve 20oz bottle it's usually $1.25. Buy it in the cute little decorative 6 oz glass bottles and you will still be paying $1.25 each. My dad used to own a bar and he would always comment on how the cups cost more than the soda that went into them. Marinas don't buy 5,000 gallons per week and they want something the suppliers wouldn't otherwise supply. There are costs associated with shipping, storing, invoicing etc... It's not someone out to get you. We haven't had any issues with ethanol and street fuel is usually fresher so we jug it in when it's not prohibited to do so.
 
I really wonder about people adding 2 cycle oil and other "mystery" treatments. Unless the manufacturer suggests it, I wonder how many of these treatments are the problem and ethanol is being blamed.
 
Odds are no one is ever going to check if you use off road fuel. The ones who have to watch out are the truckers. I have heard of them being checked but they burn thousands of gallons per year, so it's worth chasing those tax dollars down. If you are still worried about being legal, you may want to check your local situation. Some states charge an identical marine fuel tax that at least in theory goes back to supporting waterway needs (boat ramps and such). So technically, you may still be inviolation for using off road fuel though you are unlikely to be caught.
 
Ethonal has it's issues but the sooner you can learn to live with it the better because it's not going away and the price difference is only likely to increase as all new motors are built for it, the older ones become part of an ever smaller pool the demand will steadily shrink. This is very similar to the conversion to unleaded fuel. There were rants and complaints and for a number of years they maintained both. Then you gradually saw fewer and fewer stations offering leaded fuel. Expect the same thing on the water.
 
Mike & Tammy
Valhalla II

"One of the big sources of problems are with older systems that switch over
to ethanol after years of straight gas. There are deposites left in the fuel
system that are relatively harmless as long as they stay where they are.
Ethanol doesn't leave deposites. The ethanol disolves them and they move
down stream often in small chunks that clog downstream orifaces. Once a few
tanks have been run thru most of these issues will go away. (fiberglass fuel
tanks are a different much bigger issue) "

Sorry Mike I don't agree with you.

My New (brand new out of the box) 6 HP Yamaha four Cycle never had anything
in it other than Ethanol gas and it would clog up every year.  Where did the
yellow varnish come from that was in the carb when it was taken apart.  I
know it was there because I took it apart.  Beside even if what you say was
true, how long do you think it takes to get all of the old gas out of an out
board?  There isn't 2 oz in the whole system including the pump up ball.

If you think ethanol doesn't leave deposits when it evaporates try leaving
some in a glass container then get back to us.  Old gas left deposits even
back in the 50's.  It smelled like varnish after a winter in the garage lawn
mower can.  Smell ethanol gas after it has been around for just a month or
two.

BTW the trick of using oil in gas isn't new.  The old Porsche engines and a
lot of other race car engines had a looser valve guide fit so that the
engine injected some oil with every stroke.  In the 60 and 70's it wasn't
unusual for a 911 to use a quart of oil every 1,200 to 1,500 miles.  Porsche
factory's answer to that was that they wanted better upper end lubrication
and that is how they obtained it.  So some motor oil mixed into the gas of
an engine will not hurt it.  Notice I said motor oil.  ATF is another story.

Vinny

M/V  Stella Di Mare

35* 06.3' N / 77* 02.8' W

Cell  919-368-2659

Cruising: Fixing your boat in Exotic places

Yachting: Paying someone to fix your boat in Exotic places

Never said it was completely without issues in newer motors but I would still argue most of the problems people experience are with older systems and the ethonal loosening up the old varnish. Evaporate any liquid and whatever is left deposits on the surfaces. This is not a new problem. Straight gas has similar issues after winter storage.
 
Maybe Yamaha doesn't know what they are doing but I doubt it. I love my little Yamaha portable generator that starts 1st or 2nd pull after being stored with ethonal fuel for a few months at a time.
 
Again, you can learn to live with ethonal or within a few years (10-15 tops) you won't be boating because ethonal isn't going away and as the market shrinks the suppliers will have less incentive to supply straight fuel.
 
Snip:
 
Sorry Mike I don't agree with you.

My New (brand new out of the box) 6 HP Yamaha four Cycle never had anything
in it other than Ethanol gas and it would clog up every year...

My Honda Generator does the exact same thing but the Honda Outboards do not.
The difference is the emission requirement on the two engines allow for a
different carb design.  The outboard has to meet EPA standards and the Honda
genset does not.

Also the fuel injected engines do not have no where near the problems as the
carburetor engines.  But on the smaller engines a fuel injection system is
cost prohibitive. A $2,400 engine would be near $3k with fuel injection.
But I'm going to bet that is what is coming.  Yamaha is building their line
with engines over 25 HP having fuel injection.

Vinny

M/V  Stella Di Mare

35* 06.3' N / 77* 02.8' W

Cell  919-368-2659

Cruising: Fixing your boat in Exotic places

Yachting: Paying someone to fix your boat in Exotic places

From: M S [mailto:valhalla360@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 2:37 PM
To: Vincent Chianese; great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: Re: GL: Ethanol

Never said it was completely without issues in newer motors but I would
still argue most of the problems people experience are with older systems
and the ethonal loosening up the old varnish. Evaporate any liquid and
whatever is left deposits on the surfaces. This is not a new problem.
Straight gas has similar issues after winter storage.

Maybe Yamaha doesn't know what they are doing but I doubt it. I love my
little Yamaha portable generator that starts 1st or 2nd pull after being
stored with ethonal fuel for a few months at a time.

Again, you can learn to live with ethonal or within a few years (10-15 tops)
you won't be boating because ethonal isn't going away and as the market
shrinks the suppliers will have less incentive to supply straight fuel.

Snip:

Sorry Mike I don't agree with you.

My New (brand new out of the box) 6 HP Yamaha four Cycle never had anything
in it other than Ethanol gas and it would clog up every year...