Winter Boat Storage - Gas?

gman1001 · #1 11-03-2010, 12:31 PM

So I searched the site and didn't find anything but I'm sure this has been discussed.

I pre-mix oil into the gas tank. Whats the 'right' way to winter store the boat?

I was thinking of filling the tank with gas - but NOT mixing the oil. Taking note of the # of gallons of gas so in the spring I can add the 2 cycle oil.

Sound right?

castalot · #2 11-03-2010, 01:05 PM

I woud fill it with gas and oil and add star-tron it has worked for me in the past

BigLew · #3 11-03-2010, 01:09 PM

Now this is a timely question.

I have always stored with my tanks full in order to reduce available humidity for condensation. However, now with ethanol in the gas and thus a shorter shelf life I would be very interested in the opinion of others.

With regards to storing fuel with or without oil mixed, I would tend to go with unmixed as you described.

jongolds · #4 11-03-2010, 02:21 PM

I always filled it before ethanol. This year I drained the gas tank. We'll see what happens.

Fr. Frank · #5 11-04-2010, 07:45 AM

Fill with pre-mix with added fuel stabilizer. Stabil marine formula/ethanol formula or Star-tron ethanol formula is good. Make sure you get the stabilizer designed for modern high-ethanol fuels. Stabil marine formula (blue color) claims to safely stabilize marine fuel for a year, minimum.

thehermit · #6 11-04-2010, 08:29 AM

I load up the fuel with the Sta-bil. I think if you read the bottle there is a mix for normal use and a mix for storage. I dont bother to top off the tank. I am always afraid the whole thing will go bad

. I run the engine on almost straight mystery oil then run it dry. Oh yea...the niegbors love this step

I also pop the plugs and shoot M Mystery oil in each cyl. A pop of the key after that and I'm done. Then there is all the other stuff

Only once with a Yamaha did I have varnish issues. The jets on those engines a pretty fine (thats why they run nice).

ChrisC · #7 11-04-2010, 09:29 AM

I have stored my boats both ways: tank full and tank as close to empty as possible. i always added the Startron and never had a problem either way come spring time.

gman1001 · #8 11-04-2010, 11:52 AM

great, so that really answers the question of do I store with the gas pre-mixed or not.

Tx!

intergalactic · #9 11-05-2010, 05:58 PM

I had good luck with a completely full tank of gas in my motorcycle and some StarTron. I drained the float bowls in the carbs for the winter. Worked great for 2 (four stroke) motorcycles last year.

NoBones · #10 11-05-2010, 07:14 PM

Bring it to Florida for the winter...

See ya, Ken