Gas Additive for Boat

Once I get through October, my boat trips become very infrequent. I don’t winterize my boat but keep it in a heated garage so I can hit P2 on a nice weekend day in Dec – Feb.
Is it a good bet during this time to have a fuel stabilizer in your tank? I did not do this last year and I noticed early in the season this year, that my motor was occasionally skipping a beat. I brushed it off to bad gas and it did not re-occur.

If so, any recommendations on a product? I run a 115 4 stroke Mercury.

Thanks,

Sta-bil or SeaFoam will stabilize the gas and it will get mixed through the whole fuel system as you run it.

Seafoam, This will stablize, decarbanize and keep everything clean. I keep it in my tank year around and have done so for 15 years, I have never done anything more to winterize my boat and have never had a problem. It seems to be the “miracle” additive for most boaters.

Seafoam is great stuff. I would add it to your tank and run your motor some. When the time comes for your trips to get infrequent, I would disconnect the fuel line with the motor still running, after you have hung your boat on the trailer with lower unit still in the water. Simply run your motor until it stops, letting the fuel burn out. This should protect your fuel system and prevent any varnishing.

Stabil has no detergent, Seafoam does. If you are going to store it for the winter, I have been told Stabil is better. Seafoam for that first tank in the Spring.

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Stabil has no detergent, Seafoam does. If you are going to store it for the winter, I have been told Stabil is better. Seafoam for that first tank in the Spring.

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What is this storing your boat for the winter you speak of? Never heard of it. Oh, you must be talking about putting the duck boat away after the season ends.

I sure wish we as fisherman could figure this one out someday. I always used Stabil in my boat for years then a couple years ago I switched to Sea Foam…now I’m not sure what to do? Please, can someone help us out… By the way, do any of you run RV antifreeze into your lines before storage or not. I haven’t done it yet in my ProV but somebody mentioned that the other day to me…any feedback?

Savage Tuna

Seafoam or Stabil, you can’t go wrong. In the spring run some Seafoam through a tank when you add some fresh gas.

If you do just what Tuck posted you will be just fine. If the boat is not going to be in use for a period of time then use Sta-Bil. For periodic cleanings use Sea-Foam. I put Sea-Foam through my engines monthly just to keep my fuel system running smoothly.
As far as RV antifreeze, I assume you are talking about your livewell system. I use a shopvac to suck the water out of my lines. If there is no water in the lines then there is no need for antifreeze.
Jon Jordan once posted an in-depth article on winterizing your boat on this site. I will try to find a link to it.

i usually start adding a bottle of heet when i fill up in late fall to keep my lines from freezing will stabil or sea foam do the same for me. also in winter i run the livewell and bilge pumps for about 30 seconds after the boat is trailered and this seems to clean out the lines preety good.

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i usually start adding a bottle of heet when i fill up in late fall to keep my lines from freezing will stabil or sea foam do the same for me. also in winter i run the livewell and bilge pumps for about 30 seconds after the boat is trailered and this seems to clean out the lines preety good.

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From the people I’ve talked to, heet is pretty much useless to run if you’re running gas with ethanol it’s already got a bunch of alcohol in it, if you are running the non-oxy then it’s a probably a good idea.

I’d like to look into the seafoam vs. stabil too.

I would be careful putting Heet through the fuel system of any outboard that is not designed for use with Ethanol blend gasolines. Might just cost you a pretty penny to fix your motor.

Here is old post on Winterizing your boat with a lot of good info.

And another one How to winterize your boat and motor – winterizing

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i usually start adding a bottle of heet when i fill up in late fall to keep my lines from freezing will stabil or sea foam do the same for me.

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Seafoam will get rid of moisture in your gas. Heet is something you don’t want to add to any engine.

My Opinion SEAFOAM SEAFOAM SEAFOAM. It takes care of my complete fuel system.

I really question running all the fuel from carburated motors if USING AN ADDITIVE. Ever pull a carburater apart that has been sitting dry? It builds up a white chalky substance, probably some type of oxidation. So I am assuming that any aluminum in the fuel sytem, like the fuel pump which is aluminum and white metal are doing the same thing.

Another wrench in the mix.

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I really question running all the fuel from carburated motors if USING AN ADDITIVE. Ever pull a carburater apart that has been sitting dry? It builds up a white chalky substance, probably some type of oxidation.

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Amen! Leave the fuel system full.

I’m a seafoam fan for my Yammi. Year round.

Sea Foam is THE product. I was convinced by a Hastings fireman while touring the station. Just think of all the gas operated gear they have sitting around for extended periods of time that must run. Years of experience with fuel stabiliazation and all the main products used. No brainer for me.

Thanks guys for the info. This helps immensely.