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Author Topic:   Gas Tanks Full or Not

msl posted 07-20-2005 08:18 AM ET (US)
I just purchased a 25' outrage and was wondering if I should keep the gas tanks full or is there a min. amount that should be kept in them. The boat will be keep on a trailer, not in the water. I've heard different preference from several people and was wondering what you guys thought.
What I'm really worried about is condensation forming in the tanks, I have twin 150 opti max's and two 75 gallon tanks, water seperator filters before motors and fiters on the motors. What are your opinions?
Thanks Mike
bsmotril posted 07-20-2005 09:28 AM ET (US)
Fill it up after each use, and keep it full when not in use. That will prevent condensation from occuring and accumulating water in the bottom of the tank which will eventually be ingested by the engine. Also slows down the detioration of the fuel from oxidation. BillS
msl posted 07-21-2005 03:07 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the reply, I filled her up last night. I'm still recovering from heart failure on the 275 bucks to fill the hog up with 118 gallons.
LHG posted 07-21-2005 04:59 PM ET (US)
Hey, those Optimax's get pretty good gas mileage.
I think it is only necessary to fill the tanks when you are putting it up for the winter. Then it is mandatory. But doing it all the time is probably the best situation, even though I don't. Lack of motion in the tank, from long periods of dis-use, is the problem with today's fuels. If there is dew on your car and grass at night, your tank should be full, so you don't get "dew" in your tank, dripping into the fuel. But the worst situation, during winter months, is sudden warming up, with high moisture content air, after a cold spell, and then the cold returning again. This will cause the inside top surface of your cold fuel tank to sweat like crazy if it is not full to the brim.
The condensation will drip into the gasohol, and with no movement of the boat, combine with the alcohol in the fuel (a process called Phase Separation), and eat (rapidly corrode) the bottom of your fuel tank.
Most people think the reason to keep water out your tank is so the engines will run. That is incorrect, as any half decent water separating filter will get rid of that easily. The reason is to not destroy your built-in aluminum tank.
msl posted 07-22-2005 07:19 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the reply. Usually in morning we have a good amount of dew on cars and grass, sometimes even a lite fog(high humidity area). I will be keeping the tanks full for preventive maintance. Those opti's are great, very responsive, and just throw the 25 right out of the hole on to plan. You got to love it, all made in the USA....
rbruce posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US)
I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor.
Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.
rbruce posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US)
I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor.
Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.
rbruce posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US)
I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor.
Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.

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Author	Topic: Gas Tanks Full or Not
msl	posted 07-20-2005 08:18 AM ET (US) I just purchased a 25' outrage and was wondering if I should keep the gas tanks full or is there a min. amount that should be kept in them. The boat will be keep on a trailer, not in the water. I've heard different preference from several people and was wondering what you guys thought. What I'm really worried about is condensation forming in the tanks, I have twin 150 opti max's and two 75 gallon tanks, water seperator filters before motors and fiters on the motors. What are your opinions? Thanks Mike
bsmotril	posted 07-20-2005 09:28 AM ET (US) Fill it up after each use, and keep it full when not in use. That will prevent condensation from occuring and accumulating water in the bottom of the tank which will eventually be ingested by the engine. Also slows down the detioration of the fuel from oxidation. BillS
msl	posted 07-21-2005 03:07 PM ET (US) Thanks for the reply, I filled her up last night. I'm still recovering from heart failure on the 275 bucks to fill the hog up with 118 gallons.
LHG	posted 07-21-2005 04:59 PM ET (US) Hey, those Optimax's get pretty good gas mileage. I think it is only necessary to fill the tanks when you are putting it up for the winter. Then it is mandatory. But doing it all the time is probably the best situation, even though I don't. Lack of motion in the tank, from long periods of dis-use, is the problem with today's fuels. If there is dew on your car and grass at night, your tank should be full, so you don't get "dew" in your tank, dripping into the fuel. But the worst situation, during winter months, is sudden warming up, with high moisture content air, after a cold spell, and then the cold returning again. This will cause the inside top surface of your cold fuel tank to sweat like crazy if it is not full to the brim. The condensation will drip into the gasohol, and with no movement of the boat, combine with the alcohol in the fuel (a process called Phase Separation), and eat (rapidly corrode) the bottom of your fuel tank. Most people think the reason to keep water out your tank is so the engines will run. That is incorrect, as any half decent water separating filter will get rid of that easily. The reason is to not destroy your built-in aluminum tank.
msl	posted 07-22-2005 07:19 AM ET (US) Thanks for the reply. Usually in morning we have a good amount of dew on cars and grass, sometimes even a lite fog(high humidity area). I will be keeping the tanks full for preventive maintance. Those opti's are great, very responsive, and just throw the 25 right out of the hole on to plan. You got to love it, all made in the USA....
rbruce	posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US) I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor. Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.
rbruce	posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US) I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor. Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.
rbruce	posted 07-25-2005 06:23 PM ET (US) I would keep the tanks near to empty when in storage but before putting the boat and motor in storage, I would put the correct amount of Mercury Fuel Stabilizer and Conditioner in the tanks, run the motor with the conditioner to neutralizer water and keep the fuel system free of gums and varnishes; then perform the correct proceedure to store the motor. Then when putting the motor out of storage besides doing getting the motor up to snuff, I would fill up with good, fresh gasoline. The little gasoline left that was stabilized will pose no problem with the large amount of new gasoline.