Re: engine starting??
You bet it can! Especially with the trash Ethanol-laced fuel we get nowadays. If you have a built-in tank, it's got an open vent and that'll allow the alcohol in the fuel to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. It's recommended that you either store a boat for long periods with the fuel tank empty, or completely full. Plus a good load of fuel treatment.
You may need to flush the tank, fuel lines, and do something with the motor. You don't say what motor you have, but larger motors have a main jet plug somewhere towards the bottom of the carb. You can remove this plug, connect fresh fuel to the motor and pump the fuel primer bulb to flush clean fuel thru the carbs. Have some rags in place to catch the discharge.
Be sure to replace the main jet plugs and if you have an inline filter on the motor, replace it as well.
You may want to consider installing a water-separator filter unit to prevent this sort of problem in the future.
There are a number of additives which you can add to the fuel, Sta-Bil, Seafoam, Star-Brite are some that come to mind.
HTH.........ed
