I purchased a 1991 Catalina this past spring and it had nearly a full tank of fuel and only 60 some hours on the engine. My initial thought was "Gee, what a great deal - very low hours for a 1991, and great fuel milage to boot!!" I still believe both of these to be true, as I have motored quite a bit (10-15 hours) since the spring and the guage is down to about 1/2 level (I checked and it is a 20 gal. tank). 1/2 gallon per hour seems very reasonable, right? My concern now is what to do with the fuel in the tank over the winter? I am not likely to use it all up before cold weather arrives (I'll leave it in the water this winter). Should I A) drain it or pump it all out, B) fill it up to minimize condensation, etc., and/or C) put some type of additives in the tank? I'm new to diesel inboard engines and wondered what most folks do. Thanks.
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Always add biocide to your fuel.
Stephen: I am not familiar with your weather and winter procedures in your area but, everytime you fuel up your boat you should add a biocide to the fuel. This will prevent alga from growing in the water that will/may accumulate in the tank. I would think that if you are going to leave the boat in the water, you would leave fuel in the tank. Who knows, you may go down to the boat and want to take it out for a spin. If you decide to drain the tank you need a place to store the fuel. If you have an oil burner in your home or know someone that does, you can pour the fuel in their tank. We typically do not take our boat our of the slip for several months during the winter (we are in Northern Cal.) but I usually start the engine, warm it up and put it in gear at the dock and rev it up to about 1200rpms and let it run for 20mins to 30mins to clean out the condensation in the engine and recoat the cylinder walls with oil. Regardless of what approach you take. Add the recommended amount of biocide with each fill up. It is also good to keep the tank topped off if you are going to leave fuel in the tank to prevent the consendation that you mentioned. PS: I wish you guys would quit talking about winterizing your boats, it will happen soon enough<grin>.
Stephen: I am not familiar with your weather and winter procedures in your area but, everytime you fuel up your boat you should add a biocide to the fuel. This will prevent alga from growing in the water that will/may accumulate in the tank. I would think that if you are going to leave the boat in the water, you would leave fuel in the tank. Who knows, you may go down to the boat and want to take it out for a spin. If you decide to drain the tank you need a place to store the fuel. If you have an oil burner in your home or know someone that does, you can pour the fuel in their tank. We typically do not take our boat our of the slip for several months during the winter (we are in Northern Cal.) but I usually start the engine, warm it up and put it in gear at the dock and rev it up to about 1200rpms and let it run for 20mins to 30mins to clean out the condensation in the engine and recoat the cylinder walls with oil. Regardless of what approach you take. Add the recommended amount of biocide with each fill up. It is also good to keep the tank topped off if you are going to leave fuel in the tank to prevent the consendation that you mentioned. PS: I wish you guys would quit talking about winterizing your boats, it will happen soon enough<grin>.
J
Jim Cook
Steve, No winterizing here
You won't hear me talk about winterizing. In fact, I'm looking forward to "winter". We've had 100+ temps for the last 4 days and it will extend into the holiday weekend. I've changed weekend plans because we are not going sailing due to the heat. For us, winter means 50-80 degree temps and, hopefully, more sailing than summer. Have a GREAT holiday. JimC
You won't hear me talk about winterizing. In fact, I'm looking forward to "winter". We've had 100+ temps for the last 4 days and it will extend into the holiday weekend. I've changed weekend plans because we are not going sailing due to the heat. For us, winter means 50-80 degree temps and, hopefully, more sailing than summer. Have a GREAT holiday. JimC
T
tobe
old diesel fuel
here in florida we have micro organisms growing in the diesel fuel between the fuel and condensate(moisture).Biocide slows down the growth but nothing stops it completely.Empty your tank and clean out the sediment on the bottom,three to five year intervals.The darker the fuel the more growth you have. SI-LO diesel fuel treatment helps to keep carbon buildup and injectors clean.
here in florida we have micro organisms growing in the diesel fuel between the fuel and condensate(moisture).Biocide slows down the growth but nothing stops it completely.Empty your tank and clean out the sediment on the bottom,three to five year intervals.The darker the fuel the more growth you have. SI-LO diesel fuel treatment helps to keep carbon buildup and injectors clean.
G
Gordon Torresen
fill it up - no more
With a 30 gallon tank, you should fill it up with good fuel and do no more. Additives cause more trouble than they are worth. Your lay-up season is short and the temperatures are low. Be sure however, that there is no water in your tank and that the ususal water ingress, the fill cap O ring, is in good shape. When you consider additives, each label claims to be the best. Some claim to kill alga, some absorb water, some lubricate injectors, etc. None ask what kind of diesel fuel you are using nor how much water or how many algea you have. Just add a few ounces per gallon and you are home safe. For a 30 gallon tank you will buy eight or sixteen ounces and use two or three. The additive label doesn't state its own shelf life. Should you throw away what's left or is it good for next year? I sell the stuff but I don't put it in my own tanks.
With a 30 gallon tank, you should fill it up with good fuel and do no more. Additives cause more trouble than they are worth. Your lay-up season is short and the temperatures are low. Be sure however, that there is no water in your tank and that the ususal water ingress, the fill cap O ring, is in good shape. When you consider additives, each label claims to be the best. Some claim to kill alga, some absorb water, some lubricate injectors, etc. None ask what kind of diesel fuel you are using nor how much water or how many algea you have. Just add a few ounces per gallon and you are home safe. For a 30 gallon tank you will buy eight or sixteen ounces and use two or three. The additive label doesn't state its own shelf life. Should you throw away what's left or is it good for next year? I sell the stuff but I don't put it in my own tanks.
S
Stephen J. Baltes
Thanks for the input . . . . .
Thanks everyone. I didn't specify but the boat is in Virginia in the mountains so it's still a relatively mild winter place. I will be topping up the tank next trip, and I'll check with the Marina staff about additives. Sounds like if I've not had any problems I don't need to go looking for them, right!?!? It's very reassuring to have a resource like this site to help me along in the sailing experience. I've always gotten great responses topostings here and the Hunter site as well.
Thanks everyone. I didn't specify but the boat is in Virginia in the mountains so it's still a relatively mild winter place. I will be topping up the tank next trip, and I'll check with the Marina staff about additives. Sounds like if I've not had any problems I don't need to go looking for them, right!?!? It's very reassuring to have a resource like this site to help me along in the sailing experience. I've always gotten great responses topostings here and the Hunter site as well.
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