Winter storage gas level?

[WiskyDan]

So I’ve seen many people say fill up the tank to almost full and others say that Yamaha dealers store boats all winter without gas (or very little) in them.

The gas gauge was at about 15% after our last outing and I’m trying to decide should I leave it as-is or fill it up. I haven’t really paid attention to the gas level much in the past (dealer winterizes the boat and stabilizes the remaining gas) and haven’t had any problems. I store the boat in a heated warehouse over winter if that makes any difference.

 

[Neutron]

So I’ve seen many people say fill up the tank to almost full and others say that Yamaha dealers store boats all winter without gas (or very little) in them.

The gas gauge was at about 15% after our last outing and I’m trying to decide should I leave it as-is or fill it up. I haven’t really paid attention to the gas level much in the past (dealer winterizes the boat and stabilizes the remaining gas) and haven’t had any problems. I store the boat in a heated warehouse over winter if that makes any difference.

You will get more moisture in the tank when its not full. I would fill it. That is the rule of thumb on any tank that is in storage.
Steel tanks rot out badly from the excessive moisture. Your tank wont rot but the water it produces can affect your fuel system. Rust injectors etc...

 

[Babin Farms]

So I’ve seen many people say fill up the tank to almost full and others say that Yamaha dealers store boats all winter without gas (or very little) in them.

The gas gauge was at about 15% after our last outing and I’m trying to decide should I leave it as-is or fill it up. I haven’t really paid attention to the gas level much in the past (dealer winterizes the boat and stabilizes the remaining gas) and haven’t had any problems. I store the boat in a heated warehouse over winter if that makes any difference.

I’ve store mine with and without fuel up north with no issues. I would use Seafoam or something to stabilize the fuel and also dump a couple cans of HEET in the tank at the beginning of the season.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

If the tank is left low the tank will “breathe” so to speak as the vapor inside the tank expands and contracts with changing air temperature with the problem being when the tank cools and the vapor contracts pulling in outside air.

If it was me I would add fuel stabilizer for the total volume of the tank, in addition I might add the appropriate amount of Star Tron and fill the tank, not over fill so as to leave room for expansion, then run the engines to get that stabilized fuel through the fuel system. So perhaps fill the tank, reset the fuel used monitor in the connext screen, and then go for a cruise before putting it up for the wintah.

@Babin Farms suggestion of adding HEET fuel system water remover at the beginning of the season to pick up any water in the tank and allow it to flow through the system is a good one.

 

[WiskyDan]

Thanks for the feedback, I estimated about 7.5 gallons left in the tank and added about 35 gallons at the pump.

 

[Madman]

So I’ve seen many people say fill up the tank to almost full and others say that Yamaha dealers store boats all winter without gas (or very little) in them.

The gas gauge was at about 15% after our last outing and I’m trying to decide should I leave it as-is or fill it up. I haven’t really paid attention to the gas level much in the past (dealer winterizes the boat and stabilizes the remaining gas) and haven’t had any problems. I store the boat in a heated warehouse over winter if that makes any difference.

I’m in Sun Prairie and have been putting my boat in heated storage since 2010. Since it’s heated storage, there is little concern with condensation. I’ve stored my boat with full and less than full tanks with no issues. Add a little fuel stabilizer if it helps you sleep. LOL

 

[Neutron]

Gasoline has a 3 month shelf life if it has 10% ethanol. Before shit ethanol it was 1 year shelf life. So if you have you boat laid up with ethanol gas that will be 4ish months old, put stabilizer in it.if you saw the crap i see in my profession wilth the damage old gas does, you would use stabilizer. Cheap insurance

 

[WiskyDan]

The dealer stabilizes the gas as part of the winterization so I should be good - thank you.

 

[Madman]

@Neutron brings up a good point. I only use ethanol-free gas, so condensation isn’t as big of an issue for me.

 

[drewkaree]

@Neutron brings up a good point. I only use ethanol-free gas, so condensation isn’t as big of an issue for me.

The ethanol isn't causing the condensation, it's the airspace and fluctuating temps.

I don't run a drop of ethanol in my garage air compressor, yet water will be produced. That's the principle at play.

 

[Madman]

The ethanol isn't causing the condensation, it's the airspace and fluctuating temps.

I don't run a drop of ethanol in my garage air compressor, yet water will be produced. That's the principle at play.

Two different topics. Ethanol is hygroscopic, meaning it draws moisture from the air and can cause phase separation during storage. I assumed that everyone used ethanol-free fuel in their boats, but if you are using ethanol, you should probably fill the tank and use a fuel treatment. I’d also suggest doing a little research and weighing your options.

Water in an air compressor is a natural by-product of compressing air, due to the moisture content of the air being compressed. Ethanol has nothing to do with it.

 

[drewkaree]

Water in an air compressor is a natural by-product of compressing air, due to the moisture content of the air being compressed. Ethanol has nothing to do with it.

I'm a bit out of it right now, and I need to revisit this later, referring to my compressor. We may be making points to consider, that have nothign to do with each other, which could be the two topics you're talking about. Either way, I missed adding something with my response that even I didn't follow at the time, or right now.

Without adding more I have to keep track of, I'm almost certain my boat is rated to run on regular and ehtanol is ok to 10%. I don't use it, as I have access to ethanol free, but some folks won't, or don't want to pay the price for ethanol-free and assume it's fine. Your advice to use some type of fule treatment is spot on.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

All alcohol blends instantly with water. Ever watch an Indy car race? In the pits they have buckets of water to throw on a fire, and methanol fire is invisible that’s why the teach the driver and crew to flail their arms and jump around if on fire.

When ethanol is blended in gasoline that ethanol will blend with any water in your tank, once the ethanol is fully loaded with water it will separate from gasoline, this is known as phase separation. This separated ethanol/ water mix will sink to the bottom of the tank it forms a sludge that can only be mechanically removed.

When this ethanol/ water mix is still suspended it can cause corrosion to internal fuel system parts. I personally have lost a fuel pressure regulator due to this.

 

[Bluewater272]

Full and stabilized

 

[Bottom Bracket]

Stores empty, On water time is quality time, quality time deserves fresh fuel.
I've used the Yamaha fuel medic mixed a little lighter than the recommended blend since new. Ethanol pump 91 octane .
Spools up a touch quicker if I dress it with a tiny bit of this stuff, their formula brings it to 93 octane...