Winter Fuel Storage

We have published several articles in the past on good methods for winterizing your boat. Fortunately here in the lowcountry, weather and fishing are usually good year around and most of us “die hard” fisherman brave the artic cold 40-degree morning to fish on a 60-degree day. However; there are a few anglers that once hunting season starts the boat gets parked underneath the old oak tree until spring hits. If this applies to you, or even if your boat sets up just for a month or so, below is an informative press release we received this week from BoatUS on fuel storage.

NEWS From BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS News Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/news/releases.asp

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
Date: October 18, 2007

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-10 ETHANOL FUEL AND WINTER BOAT LAYUP

Last year recreational boaters in most parts of the country were introduced to gasoline containing higher concentrations of ethanol, a corn-based additive that replaced a known carcinogen, MTBE. The new fuel, dubbed “E-10” for its 10% ethanol content, unfortunately has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and “phase separate,” or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over a long period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur.
With the lengthy winter lay up period again upon us, many boaters and anglers are asking how they can avoid winter fuel problems. BoatUS has these recommendations, some of which were gleaned from midwestern marina owners where E-10 has been in use for over a decade:

  • The best practical recommendation is to continue to top off a boat’s fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat’s gasoli