Sta-Bil

[swankster]

Last year I added Sta-Bil with every fill up and I burn about 30 gallons per week. No one had any statistic to prove it would help, but both PCM and the dealer said it couldn't hurt. Does anyone else do it and have an opinion on whether the cost is worth it?

[scottb7]

I can't speak for a boat, but for a car one year I did an experiment with a few fuel additives/treatments and mileage wise increase (if even statistically valid) was wash with extra cost. I personally would not waste my time adding. I do use it for off season storage.

[1sicknautique]

i have used seafoam for years in my boats, cars and trucks. love the stuff.

[scottb7]

Yep, i used to use seafoam too. but i switched to sta-bil to save a couple bucks since presumably they are both ok for off season gas treatment.

[1sicknautique]

how much is sta-bil? 16oz can of seafoam is only 6.99 up the road.

[jrz1]

Never know if my boat is going to sit for a few weeks due to weather or schedule conflicts etc. so I always put some fuel treatment in when I fill up. Stabil recommends half the application rate for occassional use vs. long term storage so that's what I do during the season.

[ES]

Last year I added Sta-Bil with every fill up and I burn about 30 gallons per week. No one had any statistic to prove it would help, but both PCM and the dealer said it couldn't hurt. Does anyone else do it and have an opinion on whether the cost is worth it?

Not sure if it's worth it, since you are going through gas frequently. I was told that Stabil helped particularly with ethanol containing gas. Supposedly the ethanol starts degrading after a week.
So the rule of thumb I have been using is if I go through the gas in a week or less, I don't bother with Stabil.

[DanielC]

I have a 1997 Ski Nautique. with 2445.1 hours on it.
One year, at around 900 hours, I did not use Sta-Bil when I winterized my boat. My low pressure fuel pump quit pumping the following spring.
I have used Sta-Bil every year since. I also used Sta-Bil in the years before. I have not other any other fuel pump failures.

Can I prove that not using Sta-Bil caused the fuel pump failure? No, but I still use it when I winterize my boat.

I use the red stuff. that is all that was available, when i bought my boat. If you go to the "garden" section of a hardware store, you may be able to find Sta-Bil in quart containers for $13.00 a quart.

[shag]

Stabil works well (ethanol blend) for helping keep Ethanol fuel (crap imo) from going bad quite so fast. If you are using the boat frequently, as in running the motor for an hour or two at least every couple of weeks - you theoretically shouldn't need an additive. It is when the fuel sits that it begins to separate. (the ethanol and gas) There are still a few places in some areas that sell ethanol free fuel for a higher cost, and I use that it lawn mowers and such. I also had a low pressure fuel pump go bad from ethanol fuel (when I wasn't using Stabil) and actually, my boat 09' has a Stabil sticker on the fuel pump from the factory.

[AirTool]

Seafoam is a rip off and over the long run will leave a lot of carbon in your cylinders and foul your plugs. Don't use it.

I don't recommend sta-bil unless you're leaving the boat up for several months.

[east tx skier]

I add fuel stabilizer before the last run if I know I'm not going to use my boat for a couple of weeks. If you are burning through 30 gallons a week, I don't think it's necessary except over winter layup.

[RideButter]

What about STA-BIL's clams below? I have only used it during winter, but was curious for others who let their boat sit for more than 2-3 weeks.

Marine Formula STA-BILŽ

America's #1 Selling Marine Fuel Additive Brand!
BEST Ethanol Blended Fuel Enhancer!
More than FOUR TIMES the Fuel System Cleaner than in Regular STA-BILŽ Fuel Stabilizer
DOUBLE the corrosion preventer than in Regular STA-BILŽ Fuel Stabilizer
Prevents corrosion from moisture & water attraction
Improves marine engine performance YEAR-ROUND, not just for seasonal storage

8 oz. - Treats up to 80 Gallons

32 oz. - Treats up to 320 Gallons

[swankster]

What about STA-BIL's clams below?

Improves marine engine performance YEAR-ROUND, not just for seasonal storage

That's what I was hoping to find out but cannot find the hard facts.

[east tx skier]

What about STA-BIL's clams below? I have only used it during winter, but was curious for others who let their boat sit for more than 2-3 weeks.

Marine Formula STA-BILŽ

America's #1 Selling Marine Fuel Additive Brand!
BEST Ethanol Blended Fuel Enhancer!
More than FOUR TIMES the Fuel System Cleaner than in Regular STA-BILŽ Fuel Stabilizer
DOUBLE the corrosion preventer than in Regular STA-BILŽ Fuel Stabilizer
Prevents corrosion from moisture & water attraction
Improves marine engine performance YEAR-ROUND, not just for seasonal storage

8 oz. - Treats up to 80 Gallons

32 oz. - Treats up to 320 Gallons

I treat with marine stabil if it sits for more than 2 weeks. I treat before the last run of the session before the brief layup. I think marine stabil is a little more ethanol focused. Haven't done any chemical analysis though.

[scottb7]

I think if they had "hard facts" they would give them. I decided a couple years ago to test a fuel treatment over a number of tankfuls to see it did indeed increase gas mileage. If it did it was offset by extra cost of treatment in my opinion/calculation.