Should I add Sta-bil?

[left hook]

I last used my boat(98 crestliner w/ 30 gallon tank) in October 2012. At that time I had about 10-12 gallons of fuel in the tank before I put it in the garage. It is now February and plan on using my boat at the end of April. Should I add Sta-bil now or should I just add some more gas?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

Stabil isn't going to revive the gas after the fact...
Top the tank off with some fresh fuel, and change your filter(s) out after you run that tank through. Should be OK.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

You could add some and it might help. However, you can probably just use what is in the tank and when you run out add fresh fuel and maybe that is a good time to also change the fuel filter as preventative

 

[tazrig]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

At this point I'd just fill it. But next year fill it a-n-d use Stabil. Ethanol absorbs water and can phase separate so you are always better to keep the tank full over long periods of storage if you can to reduce the risk of that happening.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

If you do fill it, consider using premium gas. The high octane will help "restore" the overall octane levels.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

I would add the Sta-Bil, simply on the basis that 'it couldn't hurt' and might ward off an issue over the next 3 months. Add fresh gas and change out the filter(s) before you start it up.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

I would go with a slight variation/combination of some of the above posts.

First, Sta-bil is brand and they really have 3 types you could choose from:
1-marine
2-ethonol
3-fuel stabilizer
I have not looked at the labels/content-make-up to know exactly how they might differ so I would first vote to use the Marine blend.

I would add 2 ounces now as I also believe "it couldn't hurt" but I would also had 2 gallons of premium to mix with it. If the boat is on a trailer and it can be moved, after adding the fuel, drive it around in an attempt to "mix it in".

Then before the first start in April, add another 1 ounce of Sta-bil along with another 5 gallons of premium.
Run it on a hose/muffs if at all possible first and make sure it seems to run normal.

Use the boat enough where you think you've burned around 15 gallons, then change the fuel filter.

As a side note, my Sea Ray has a 100 gallon tank which I never try and fill more than 3/4 but I also add the Merc stabilizer product every time I add gas and not had an issue in the 2 1/2 years we've owned it and just like you, I've probably got around 20 gallons of gas in there for more months than you and will do similar to what I described when we start using it again. Only difference might be is that when the boat is not being used, I still run it on a hose about every 3 weeks.

Mark

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

One thing you should consider .If you have never used a fuel stabilizer before. When you use it for the first time, run your engine before storage so the stuff runs through your whole system, not just sitting in the tank.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

If you're not going to use your boat until April, I wouldn't do anything at this point, unless you didn't add Stabil or Seafoam in Oct. Then I would add some now in case you have, or will have, moisture in the gas. In April I would top it off with premium as stated earlier. It wouldn't hurt to add more Stabil/Seafoam then too...... Using Seafoam as an example, 1/2 can now, full can after you top it off....

 

[Matt in Seattle]

Re: Should I add Sta-bil?

I use sta-bil marine on EVERY fill up. In my mind its cheap insurance. Boats already have terrible fuel/water issues.