Winterizing fuel and fuel tanks.

[Warren Kaplan]

As the cold weather is fast approaching we Northern Sailors, I'd like to get some idea of what you "icebox chaps" around The Great Lakes like to do with your fuel tanks when your boat is hauled and stored for the winter. Do you empty it and store it dry? Do you just leave the old fuel in and perhaps put in an additive? Do you get rid of the old fuel and fill it to the top with fresh fuel and an additive? If so, what additive? Also, if you did winter it with fresh fuel, when spring comes do you get under way with that fuel or do you jettison the winter fuel and start in the spring with a new supply of fresh fuel? My boat will be hauled on Long Island NY and although the winters lately have been pretty mild, but still often below freezing, I remember plenty of winters when we had some stretches below zero. Since I don't possess a crystal ball, I want Sine Qua Non to be ready for the worst.
Thanks
Warren
S/V Sine Qua Non
1980 CD27 #166 (Yanmar YSM8 Diesel)



Setsail728@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

You want to leave the fuel tank full over the winter (and other times, too) so that condensation is kept to a minimum. No need to emply the tank and replace with new/clean fuel... I use a couple of gallons a year, you don't need a calculator to know that it takes forever to go through a full tank. Add a biocide (any marine store), following the instructions on the bottle, fill the tank and go sailing. Running the motor a bit will get the treated fuel through the fuel lines and a couple of good tacks will slosh the stuff around so it's well mixed in.

LIQUIDITY has been fine with no more than that.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Tom]

As the cold weather is fast approaching we Northern Sailors, I'd like to get some idea of what you "icebox chaps" around The Great Lakes like to do with your fuel tanks when your boat is hauled and stored for the winter. Do you empty it and store it dry? Do you just leave the old fuel in and perhaps put in an additive? Do you get rid of the old fuel and fill it to the top with fresh fuel and an additive? If so, what additive? Also, if you did winter it with fresh fuel, when spring comes do you get under way with that fuel or do you jettison the winter fuel and start in the spring with a new supply of fresh fuel? My boat will be hauled on Long Island NY and although the winters lately have been pretty mild, but still often below freezing, I remember plenty of winters when we had some stretches below zero. Since I don't possess a crystal ball, I want Sine Qua Non to be ready for the worst.
Thanks
Warren
S/V Sine Qua Non
1980 CD27 #166 (Yanmar YSM8 Diesel)

When adding Biobor to your fuel avoid the apparently common inclination to think that if an ounce is good two ounces would be even better, and three or more would be terrific. Too much Biobor can turn your entire tank of fuel into jelly. Or so the fuel polishers told me. I've never done it, but they claim to have seen it more than once. Follow the directions on the can carefully.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Bob]

Warren:

I'm also from LI and sail on the south shore in the Great South Bay. Now is the time to get your fuel treated before layup for winter. This way you'll have time still to run your engine real good and circulate the fuel additives through your engine. A few weeks ago I filled my tank as I usually do this time of year. It's a good idea to always keep your tank full this time of year because of the extreme temperature changes we experience. This will avoid moisture from building up in the tank.

I use the following when filling a 5 Gallon tank to premix the additives before putting it into the tank on the boat. If you go down to any West Marine store here on the Island you can pick up all I have listed:

MDS Fuel Store - 1 ounce to every 10 Gallons;
Marvel Mystery Oil - 1 ounce to every 12 Gallons;
MDS Biocide/Sludge Preventer - 1 ounce to every 10 Gallons;
MDS Cetane Boost - 1 ounce to every 10 Gallons.

Mix up real well in 5 Gallon tank then pour into your tank on boat. If you follow this procedure you should have no fuel problems with your engine. Just make sure to change your filters and crankcase oil before you lay her up for the winter.

I was a Diesel Service Manager many years ago before getting into my present line of work and found this to always work for the engine. After seeing many tear downs and overhauls this has been proven to work the best. During the summer I also put in the same fuel treatment when ever adding fuel except I leave out the fuel store. Hope this helps.

Bob
SV Ranger #144
1984 CD25D

As the cold weather is fast approaching we Northern Sailors, I'd like to get some idea of what you "icebox chaps" around The Great Lakes like to do with your fuel tanks when your boat is hauled and stored for the winter. Do you empty it and store it dry? Do you just leave the old fuel in and perhaps put in an additive? Do you get rid of the old fuel and fill it to the top with fresh fuel and an additive? If so, what additive? Also, if you did winter it with fresh fuel, when spring comes do you get under way with that fuel or do you jettison the winter fuel and start in the spring with a new supply of fresh fuel? My boat will be hauled on Long Island NY and although the winters lately have been pretty mild, but still often below freezing, I remember plenty of winters when we had some stretches below zero. Since I don't possess a crystal ball, I want Sine Qua Non to be ready for the worst.
Thanks
Warren
S/V Sine Qua Non
1980 CD27 #166 (Yanmar YSM8 Diesel)

Ranger1442@hotmail.com

[Mimi Litsche]

You want to leave the fuel tank full over the winter (and other times, too) so that condensation is kept to a minimum. No need to emply the tank and replace with new/clean fuel... I use a couple of gallons a year, you don't need a calculator to know that it takes forever to go through a full tank. Add a biocide (any marine store), following the instructions on the bottle, fill the tank and go sailing. Running the motor a bit will get the treated fuel through the fuel lines and a couple of good tacks will slosh the stuff around so it's well mixed in.

LIQUIDITY has been fine with no more than that.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

Hi! I am a new CD25D owner (#54) and just put my boat up for the season. As I am based in the "golden crescent" area of Lake Ontario--I know the meaning of winter. Without knowing it, i did the fuel winterizing fairly close to the above recipe except no mystery oil, altho I know what that is--and not the cetane stuff (don't know what that is) however--time got short and i did not change the oil or do the fuel filters--how many of them are there anyway? Can i do that chore in the spring? (The boat is currently 'en cocoon ala blue tarp')

Thanks ahead for replies--



mlitsche@hotmail.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>Can i do that chore in the spring? (The boat is currently 'en cocoon ala blue tarp')<<

You can change the oil and filters in the spring.

You might want to check on the blue tarp every once in a while... I've never had one last a winter.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Don S.]

I was under the impression that, as a result of combustion, acids are created in the oil that can harm the rings and bearings, and eventually become varnish-like which, over the long haul, can cause arterialsclerosis of the oil ports. Hence it's far better to change the oil and filter before lay-up.
Don Sargeant
~~COQUINA~~
CD25D #189
Having her fluids changed this weekend in Greenwich Cove

>>Can i do that chore in the spring? (The boat is currently 'en cocoon ala blue tarp')<<

You can change the oil and filters in the spring.

You might want to check on the blue tarp every once in a while... I've never had one last a winter.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167

don@cliggott.com