Drain gas tank or fill with non-ethanol gas

[causewayskiier]

I'm trying to decide whether to drain (pump out) the ethanol from my tank for the winter layup or to fill the tank with pure gas (expensive) at a marina. I do like to run the boat on the trailer about once a month during the winter, and I winterize using a lightbulb in the engine compartment. What are the pros and cons.

[shonuff]

Why not just use a bottle of Sta-Bil Marine Ethanol treatment with the street pump gas?

[causewayskiier]

Drain or fill

I normally use the fuel stabilizer but I've been told that there is still a problem with ethanol and water formation.

[DanielC]

This is what I do. I have been running E-10 for many years in my boat.

Close to the end of the season, I start to run the normal red Sta-bil in the gas, at 2 times the recommended amount. (4 oz sta-bil per 5 gallons of gas)
When I finally do quit using my boat for the winter, fill the tank almost full, with the above mix.

My 1997 ski Nautique has over 2308 hours on it. When I drain the FCC, or change the fuel filer, I rarely find any water.

[maxxwell]

same here... Top the tank off and double the dosage of marine sta-bil...
On one side of the coin, a full tank has less air from which condensations forms, leading to less or no water in fuel. On the other side the coin, some believe the fuel loses potency, so its best to use fresh fuel in the spring. I would rather top off and double sta-bil.. but to each his own.

As far as ethanol, even the PCM manual states ethanol is acceptable in combination with sta-bil