Winterizing outboard

[LMHunter]

Is it really necessary to fog an outboard if it is parked in a garage over the winter? Just curious what everyone else does?

[RIBLUEFISH]

I have not fogged my outboard since I moved to KY in 2003. My boat is garage kept and it is really only not used Jan/Feb and it has been fine.

[yamahammer]

Havent winterized an outboard for 25 years. Just trim it down and let all the water drain out and it will be fine. Have never had a minutes trouble

[artcarney_agr]

I try and get the fuel as low in the tank as possible on the last trip out for the season. I add Sta-Bil before putting it on the trailer, make a few high speed passes to ensure that it gets shaken up/mixed in the tank well and has the chance to run through the motor. Once I pull it out, I'll crank it for a second or two so that it blows out any water in the cooling system.

Once home I'll give the boat a good wash so it's clean all winter long, then change the lower unit oil to ensure that there is no water in it that could freeze. I'll then add fogging oil to help keep the cylinders lubbed and eliminate the chance of rust forming on the cyliner walls. I'll pull the batteries out and put them in the basement so they aren't subjected to the cold weather and hopefully prolong their life some. Then I'll cover the boat, talk to her a little bit, and tell her that I'll miss her and will be looking forward to that first warm day in the spring!

[Shaggy]

Hey Art, that's interesting because I do just the opposite. I add sta-bil, but I top the tank off before storage. I always heard that kept the condensation out of the tank. I've never had a problem in the spring, but you raise an interesting point there. What do the rest of you guys do in regards to gas in the tank?

[Embrey]

youre supposed to fill it, but no way im lettin 40 gallons sit around all winter.

[JustinM]

Or just fish all year long and you don't have to worry with it!

[southfork]

Dont stop fishing, problem solved.

[R19]

Many years ago when most boats had potrable metal gas tanks it was a common pratice to fill them during the winter. A metal gas tank is more prone to build up moisture, circulates less air and the end result is corrosion/rust...which can lead to a bad day.

Today most boats have a platic fuel tank that circulates air better than the metal gas tanks. There is no need to fill a plastic fuel tank but it will not hurt anything. I would highly recommend adding Marine Formula Stabil or Starton to any fuel tank.

Most people dont realize that gas stations do not have to advertise that their fuel contains ethanol unless it is over 10% A lot of people are buying ethanol fuel and dont even know it. Ethanol phase seperates/goes stale and absorbs moisture faster than regular fuel...which can lead to a bad day

Metal tank fill
Plastic no worries
Always store will a fuel stabilizer

Also remember to only fill a metal tank 95% full...the fuel will expand when the tempature rises from very cold to warm tempatures. The lack of air circulation does not help this problem.