Dave - I have that same issue in my hands as we speak. A lot of writing about the E 15 but just skimmed the article. Yes I go to IBEX every year.

There was some good points about the empty tank and gas fumes that can cause problems. Also the topic how your boat is stored. I will agree if it is damp climates then most likely a full tank will cause less problems. Like I said fuel samples are important no matter what. And IMO very hard to get a boats fuel tank 100 percent completely empty by pumping it out however. .

Also says Volvo Penta recommends if boat sits for 2 weeks use fuel stabilizer - as I said use stabilizer 365 days per year as how do you know when 4 sure next time you can take your boat out. Here with lake levels that is impossible to know your next boating day. Like wise for others - busy life styles, boat mechanical issues and so on.

I swear in the past 6 years I have pumped out more gas from boat fuel tanks than anyone I know. Most likely 1500 to 2000 gallons of fuel this year alone.

I know "James" and his word is good. I never saw that old thread though; will have to go back and read it.

Yes

Left my boats stabilized and near empty for as long as I can remember, no problems. Shrink wrapped and sitting in my driveway. Not much moisture in winter air in CT so I've never worried about condensation. No science behind this, it's just worked.

Stabil is old news fill it up and dump startron in it. Try to get non-ethanol fuel if available. I've been using ST for years. My brother called me as asked what to do about a buddy's mustang that had sat and the fuel smelled bad and the car wouldn't run. Told him to pick up a bottle of Startron. He did and the car started right up and ran like a top. I use it in every tank in my boat, whether or not it's sitting for long periods.

He dumped it in the bad gas and then was okay ? Really ?

I left a full tank (55 gal.) of untreated $4 ethanol fuel in my boat for three years. The boat was stored in my garage the whole time in a fairly controlled environment. 500EFI, topped it off and blew through the whole tank without any issues.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...ne-levels.html

fuel additives will not bring back the life of old gas once the lite ends of the fuel evaporates leaving mostly the dark ends hence why fuel turns dark as it sits like the color of ice tea. This is caused by oxidation and evaporation, once that has taken place the fuel is way to stale and 100 % should not be used. Also RVP of fuel plays huge parts of what time of the year you bought the fuel. Fuel degrades overtime regardless from unstable temps, heat, moisture, UV, oxidation, evaporation.

Can not say it enough to take fuel samples and examine them closely especially at the beginning of boating season and just before lay up bare min. - and the tests to look for from your fuel samples - smell, color, water, dirt, aluminum oxide, and any form of contamination. 85 % of fuel stabilizers only last up to one year anyways, and most of them will mention that on bottle "good up to one year".

The gasoline test I have performed previously were test for octane. This included many types of unleaded gasoline with ethanol and without. Octane is an indicator of the fuels resistance to detonate. Gasoline I have tested including one batch for 3 years, still had the original octane rating, the gasoline was also dark brown and smell like chit.

I have tested lots and lots of gasoline looking for low or improper octane and have never seen less than advertised on the pump. And out of 100 + test all but 2 were a full octane higher than what was posted on the pump, none were less than posted minimums.

As BUP said fuel additive have their place and can do a good job of cutting off air/ oxygen from the fuel. One way a fuel additive will work is with a light oil or wax the floats to the surface and acts as a protective layer. If the boat is in the water and sloshing or subject to vibrations on the trailer from winds etc.. then the additives are less like to be as effective and a fuel source that is at rest.

All fuels are subject to condensation including 100 LL on aircraft and for this reason a pilot will sump each tank before take off.

What do I do ? I run as much fuel out of the tank to reduce risk of fire, leaks etc.. I no longer worry about octane. I also could not prove that the water in the fuel on outdoor test came from condensation or other sources. The ethanol percentage remained the same or very close @ 6-8% .