Over Winter Fuel Strategy

[jviss]

Gas I would add stabilizer and drain the carb. Diesel, it doesn't seem to have mattered what I've done, it stores well, never had an issue with condensation in the tank, any water was caught by the primary filter/trap. I occasionally used biocide, but not every year.

 

[Apex]

yes on draining the carb.

 

[wing15601]

I’ve been boating 48 years, gas and diesel, in the northeast, Florida and Michigan. I’ve always stored my tanks full and stabilized. 48 times without a moisture problem though admittedly there is no “winter storage” in Florida. I’ve always used ethanol free gas for winter storage. All the articles and data I’ve ever read has never addressed the effects of cold on fuel storage. I’m wondering if fuel deteriorates more slowly as it gets colder.

 

[dziedzicmj]

No question, add stabiliser. If you can drain the carburetor (disconnect the gas line and run it dry?). If you cannot drain it, make sure that the gas with the stabiliser gets through to the carb.

The reports on condensation in fuel tanks are over-exaggerated (there was a thread on this forum where Maine Sail calculated the amount of water that is likely to condensate and it was minuscule).
For the future, try using the gas from a source that does not add any ethanol (e.g. Shell Gold in Canada).

Btw. storing a full tank is not a good idea - the gas/diesel expands (in the spring) and would come out of the vent.

 

[jviss]

For the future, try using the gas from a source that does not add any ethanol (e.g. Shell Gold in Canada).

Not practical in the U.S., unfortunately. Other than the very expensive, canned fuels sold in power equipment outlets, the only gas at a pump that I am aware of that has no ethanol is CAM-10 racing fuel, at about $10/gallon, and aircraft 100LL, which has lead in it. Many aircraft fuel places won't sell it unless it's going directly into a plane.
I've already written to Trump and Pruitt with my wish list:

• drop the ethanol requirement
• get rid of the stupid epa gas can rules, and let us have normal gas cans with normal spouts and vents.

(not meant to be a political statement, only a statement about gas and gas cans).

 

[Rich Stidger]

Not practical in the U.S., unfortunately. Other than the very expensive, canned fuels sold in power equipment outlets, the only gas at a pump that I am aware of that has no ethanol is CAM-10 racing fuel, at about $10/gallon, and aircraft 100LL, which has lead in it. Many aircraft fuel places won't sell it unless it's going directly into a plane.
I've already written to Trump and Pruitt with my wish list:

• drop the ethanol requirement
• get rid of the stupid epa gas can rules, and let us have normal gas cans with normal spouts and vents.

(not meant to be a political statement, only a statement about gas and gas cans).

Actually there are many locations in the USA that sell non-ethanol gasoline. However they may not be near your location. You can check here: https://www.pure-gas.org/
And I ditto the elimination of ethanol from our fuel. And you can take that as a political statement too.

 

[SG]

I recall seeing places in New England that does have marine pumps which are ethanol free. As mentioned above, it is available in a lot of areas.

I happen to be Florida over the weekend, for example. The "regular" ethanol included gasoline is $2.85/gallon for for marine use. The ethanol-free fuel is a dollar more a gallon (amazing) -- or $3.85/gallon. That's more than a third more.

I watch a 100 gallon Robalo fill-up of a 24' powerboat cost $400.

 

[Justin_NSA]

This article might help.
https://www.boatingmag.com/gear/boatinglab-tests-fuel-stabilizers

I am on the same tank of diesel for 2 years now. I use a biocide and stabilizer. I also have an H2Out desiccant filter on the fuel vent side. It gradually turns pink as it pulls moisture from incoming air.

 

[Dalliance]

I have a twelve gallon fuel tank and use about eight to nine gallons of diesel per sailing season. Over the last ten years I have been using stabilizer and biocide in generous doses, and topping off the tank for winter storage, with no problems to date. I added an H2Out desicant filter to the fuel vent line a few years ago, which in theory prevents condensation as the tank breathes, but I still top off the tank at the end of the season. Just can't let go of that habit. Maybe that's a bit belt and suspenders, but so far....it seems to be working.
IMO, the temperature and humidity swings we see here in Chicago and the southern Great Lakes area during our six to seven month winter storage period can be extreme and relatively frequent. Unlike more northern areas which tend to get cold and stay cold (and dry) or sea coast areas where temperature swings may be somewhat moderated by the ocean. In other words, not all "northern" climates are the same, so what works in some areas may not be the best in others.

 

[MitchM]

we add diesel store n start . it's too expensive to get rid of 90 gallons...

 

[NYSail]

here in the northeast we can put it in the heating fuel tank....... same stuff, different color.

 

[jssailem]

same stuff, different color

And taxed differently.

 

[JimInPB]

And taxed differently.

I believe that you are allowed to put (road tax paid) diesel fuel in your oil burner or off road diesel equipment, but you are not allowed to put non-tax-paid fuel in your over the road vehicle.

 

[NYSail]

So where do you get said non-taxed-paid fuel? Here in NY they tax everything

 

[TomY]

I have the worst situation (reputed by some sources), for diesel fuel problems: An 80 gallon tank located in the hull. I often don't use even half of it in a season. It's always left half full (or half empty, depending on your outlook on life), over the winter on the cold moist coast of Maine. I add a cetane booster as I tank up, usually only once a season (35 gallons this season). Some years we range farther and use all the fuel, and more, over a season.

I change the primary and secondary filters every other season. The tank is vigorously mixed up many times each season.

The tank, as built 55 years ago, has no easy clean out ports. I think the tops were removed and the tank inspected about 25-30 years ago.

I've removed the sender unit once and hand pumped several samples from the lowest areas on the hull tank and found almost no sediment and a few drops of water. I suspect my biannual filter drain of a Racor separator filter removes the moisture that accumulates, but I've yet to see any water in the drain catchment.

In 20 seasons, I recall one clogged filter episode(over 10 years ago), curiously during a calm period of motoring.

I think the fuel system on my boat, very basic 2 filter - 20 micron to 2 micron(or there abouts), is a more than adequate system to deliver clean diesel to the engine. The level of fuel in my tanks stored over the winter, hasn't had any effect on added moisture.

That's my experience.

 

[NYSail]

My tank is 55 gallons and plastic with limited access... I borrowed a friends fuel pump at the beginning of season and did a sweep of the bottom of the tank and found a built in sump under the pick up tube... sucked a bunch of gunk but no water. I installed a Racor 500 as my primary replacing a Racor 100... I like to see whats happening. Well the filter and bowl is as good as new... no sediment and no water. I am going to borrow his pump again and pump out the tank when the boat comes out as I probably have 20 gallons left.... Just like new fuel and it wont go to waste as I will pour it into my oil tank at home for heating.

 

[jibes138]

Get a diesel pickup truck. Then use the boat fuel in your truck.

 

[Simon Sexton]

Shemandr,

Is this fuel for an outboard? If so, then I would drain the tank just to be safe. However, if this is an inboard fuel tank and it is inside the hull, then it shouldn't go too cold, depending on how low the temperature drops in your area. For example, my boat is docked in Kemah, TX, so I don't typically have to worry about the fuel until early January. But I look at your profile and see NY and I'm thinking, "Ah, yeah, cold...too cold for me..." I've only ever been up there once during the Spring season, so I don't know what it's like in the winter. To save money and conserve fuel, you can drain your tank when the temperature drops below 35 degrees and store it in someplace warmer (garage, shed, etc.).