Fuel system · Gas boards

How to mix fuel for your JetSurf

Every gas JetSurf runs a two-stroke engine, which means the oil that keeps it alive travels in the fuel — there's no separate oil reservoir. Get the mix right and the engine runs strong for years. Get it wrong and you're looking at a seized motor.

Guide

50:1, measured — every time

Applies to: Gas boards Time: ~3 min to mix Last updated: Sep 2026

What 50:1 actually means

50 parts gasoline to 1 part two-stroke oil. In practical terms:

Gasoline2T oil (US)2T oil (metric)
1 gallon2.6 oz76 ml
2 gallons5.1 oz151 ml
2.5 gallons6.4 oz189 ml
5 gallons12.8 oz379 ml
5 liters3.4 oz100 ml
10 liters6.8 oz200 ml
Never run straight gas. A two-stroke with no oil in the fuel will seize — often within minutes. If you ever can't remember whether a can is mixed, treat it as unmixed and don't pour it in the board.

Mix calculator

12.8 oz of 2T oil (fluid ounces)
379 ml of 2T oil (milliliters)

Calculated at exactly 50:1. The 50-1 column on a ratio bottle lands on the same numbers.

What you need

Motorex Cross Power 2T fully synthetic two-stroke oil, 1 liter bottle
Oil

Fully synthetic 2T oil

Motorex Cross Power 2T is what the JetSurf factory recommends — fully synthetic, low smoke. Any premium fully synthetic 2T oil works; don't use cheap TC-W3 outboard oil.

Motorex Cross Power 2T →
Scepter gas/oil mixing bottle showing the 100-1, 50-1 and 40-1 graduation columns
Measuring

Ratio mixing bottle

A quart bottle with 50:1 graduations takes the math out of it — fill oil to the line that matches your gas amount, pour, done. Far more accurate than eyeballing.

Scepter mixing bottle →
Red Scepter SmartControl 5-gallon gas can
Storage

Dedicated gas can

A 5-gallon can with a controlled spout keeps splash out of the equation when filling the board. Keep one can for mix only — label it so it never gets confused with straight gas.

Scepter 5 gal gas can →
Fuel

Premium gasoline

Use the highest octane at the pump — 93 in most of the US. Ethanol-free is best if you can find it; ethanol attracts water and degrades fuel lines over time.

Find ethanol-free stations →

Mixing, step by step

  1. Start with fresh premium gas. Buy it the same week you ride. Gas starts degrading after about 30 days, faster in Florida heat. 93 octane minimum; ethanol-free if available.
  2. Measure the oil first. Pour Cross Power 2T into the ratio bottle up to the 50-1 mark that matches your gas amount — for a 5-gallon can, that's 12.8 oz.
  3. Oil into the can, then the gas. Adding oil before (or during) the gas fill lets the incoming fuel do most of the mixing for you. Do this outdoors, away from any ignition source.
  4. Cap it and swirl. Seal the can and rock or swirl it for 15–20 seconds until the mix is a uniform color. Synthetic oil blends fast — no need to shake violently.
  5. Label the can. Write "50:1 MIX" and the date on tape on the can. Future you — or whoever borrows your gear — will thank you.
  6. Swirl again before every fill. If the can has been sitting, give it a quick swirl before pouring into the board so the oil is evenly distributed.
Rule of thumb: mix only what you'll ride through in about a month. Old mix loses octane and the oil can start separating — dispose of anything older than 60 days at a hazardous waste site, not down a drain.

Common questions

Can I use car engine oil or outboard oil?

No. Four-stroke car oil doesn't burn cleanly in a two-stroke and will foul the engine. Marine TC-W3 outboard oil is formulated for low-RPM water-cooled outboards, not a high-revving JetSurf engine. Stick with a fully synthetic 2T motorcycle/motocross oil.

What happens if I mix too rich (too much oil)?

A slightly rich mix (like 40:1) mostly costs you smoke, spark plug fouling, and a little power. Annoying, but not fatal. Too lean (too little oil) is the dangerous direction — that's what seizes engines. If you're ever unsure, err on the side of more oil, not less.

Can I use regular 87 octane?

Don't. The high-compression JetSurf engine is designed for premium fuel. Low octane can cause knock/detonation, which damages the piston over time. The dollar or two extra per gallon is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.

How much fuel does one session use?

The tank holds about 2.8 liters (0.75 gal), good for roughly 35–50 minutes of hard riding. A 5-gallon can of mix covers about 6 tank fills.

Is the mix different for the electric JetSurf?

The electric models don't use fuel at all — this guide only applies to the gas-powered (Race, Titanium, Cruiser, Adventure DFI) boards.

Always mix and store fuel outdoors, away from ignition sources, and follow your local fuel storage regulations. Working reference — not official JETSURF documentation.

Keep riding

More in the maintenance library

Cleaning and storage through to a full engine rebuild, every guide with a video walkthrough and timestamped steps.