Treating Gas when hauling boat out......

[PeggyLee]

Okay men (and ladies) what are your plans to treat the fuel in the gas tank for Winter Storage Time?
Top it off ?
Keep empty ?
Treat w/ stor N start?
Add stor n star enzyme treatment?
Or treat with another fine product?   
Or drain all fuel and put it on the neighbors lawn and spell "Dummy"

[CapBob]

I alway have at least 3/4 tank...redues condensation and allows for expansion.

Usr the Enzyme treatment all season every 3 tank.

Put Stabil in the tank, even though I am only on land from Mid December to April 1st does not hunt

[Still Running]

Fill it up!
If it has room you will moisture in the gas and chances are the price of gas will go up by spring.
Look at of the money you will make.

Put STA-BIL or something like that in the gas. Also run the carb empty.

[Luna Sea 5]

always, always, top it off.

[Hunter 2]

I top it off and add a stabilizer, Then fog the carb, The boat starts right up in the spring on the first try!    I have a full inboard,

[Last Call]

Fill it, treat it, fog it.

[PeggyLee]

Yes, It seems like we all have been doing the same things: 80% fill, allow for expansion and treat the gas for lay over and fog it out.

However, some other thoughts on this subject  have been to run it down to near empty because the ethanol fuel looses a lot of its octane over the winter, then treat for water and boost in Spring. .I have always done it the first way (above)foryearswith no problem.

Has any body done it the second way,if so, what has been the results?

I'm thinking if it works leave it alone.   TKS, AJ

[wb]

Here is my fuel winterizing ritual:

Add stabil, enough for full tank, immediately before filling up for last time. Run boat in water for a few miles, at least a few gallons, to make sure stabil has worked its way thru fuel system.

Haul the boat and top fuel tank off to minimize condensation in tank from temperature cycling overwinter. Fog the engine using direct spray into carbs or throttle bodies almost to stall while running on the garden hose or in a test tank. Finally when white smoke is so thick and neighbors are about to call fire dept then fog to stall usually about 3-5 minutes total. Have a barley soda while waiting for smoke to clear.

Don't run carbs dry of fuel. This is one reason you are using the stabil. Leave stabil'd fuel in carbs otherwise rubber gaskets and diaphragms will dry out and crack requiring replacement at worst possible moment next year.

[Duffman]

  How much water from condensation do you guys think will contaminate your fuel over the winter?  I'm telling you, it isn't much, if any.
  I add Stabil last trip out to whatever fuel is left in the tank. I've stored the boat over the last 10 years with a tank almost empty to about 1/4 .  Fill up with fresh fuel in the spring. Run the boat on the hose for a 1/2 hour then check the fuel/water separator for contamination.
 Never found excess water in the filter and never have had any problems. I'd rather run fresh fuel next season than stuff that has been lying around for 5-6 months.

[Maritime Matt]

This year I plan on doing it different. Here's why:
I haul out after tog opens 11/15 and I get the last trip in. Back in usually May. 5-6 months out of service.
Owned boat since new,2001. Plastic tank  in boat.
Filled tank, extra stabilizer, e-zorb etc.
Always leave carbs with fuel in them.
Guess what? Fuel broke down this year and clogged my jets. It might have even attacked the aluminum in the carb bowls. I knew it when I dumped the seperator in a clear glass jar. Been running it that way all season.
The marina I deal with got a notice from there fuel supplier that recommends customer's leave their tanks empty.
I'd much rather start with fresh fuel, no matter what the price than try to save this garbage gas for 6 months.
I've rebuilt more carbs and fuel pumps than I can count on my hands and feet this season for my customer's. I'll let you know what I find when I finally get my carbs off and apart. Matt.

[PeggyLee]

I know, its getting so grazy.Leave empty, fill up , treat now, treat later.Last years plan is different than this years plan,and that is different than two years ago.
Things were simple many years back with out this ethanol BS.

Maybe I'll go back to my row boat I had as a kid.