Sitting on the Sidelines

Follow these tips to prep your boat for long-term storage and easy recommissioning.

ETHANOL CHECKLIST

1. Long-term boat storage calls for steps to prevent damage-inducing phase separation in the fuel tank when using ethanol-laced gasoline.

2. When ethanol in the gas absorbs too much moisture (from tank condensation, for example), it separates into a corrosive, non-combustible layer at the tank's bottom, as illustrated here.

3. To prevent phase separation during storage, fill the tank to% full (to minimize condensation) using non-ethanol fuel where available.

4. With or without ethanol-laced gas, treat the fuel with a butanol-based stabilizer for longterm storage.

Next spring's fishing plans can quickly turn to frustration if you leave your boat poorly winterized. Months of disuse during freezing winters can corrode or crack fittings and hoses and render outboards and pumps fouled and broken.

Even if you live in a warm region, the season's relentless cold fronts and stiffer winds can keep you and your boat off the water for months. Conversely, some boaters leave their vessels parked all summer in Florida while they retreat up north for cooler temperatures.

"We use the phrase 'extended storage' when we talk about protecting an outboard," says David Meeler, Yamaha's product information manager. "So whether you're putting the boat up for winter or going north for the summer, much of the process is still the same."