On Sun, 11 Jun 2006 07:57:06 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
The current issue of Motor Boating has it's ten tips for improving fuel
economy. The first is to install a fuel flow meter. I have one, but have
not yet installed it.

Anyway, the tips are at:


http://www.motorboating.com/motorboa...198188,00.html

or: http://tinyurl.com/ol3sz

The tip on carrying only the fuel needed, plus a safety margin, is not one
I have been practicing. For some reason I've always thought a full tank is
a happy tank, with less condensation, etc, but this article suggests
treating the fuel with a drying additive. It doesn't go into detail about
how much or when.

Does anyone here use drying additives? How often and how much do you use?


I've never using a drying additive in season, here or anywhere else, on
a gas-fueled boat. I never fill the tank on Yo-Ho. The most I have in it
at any one time is 100 gallons (out of a 170-gallon capacity). Since I
run at cruising speeds that burn no more than 10 to 11-12 gph, I am not
concerned that I'll run out of fuel.

I've never had the slightest problem getting the Yamaha started. Never
had problems with my Mercs, either. I do run the fuel through a filter
funnel before it goes in the tank. I doubt this removes any water
already in the gas, but once in a while it does catch a bit of crud
coming out of the pump.

I'm sure the bottle of gas drying additive, though, tells you how much
to drop in the tank.

When you say 'a filter funnel' do you mean one with a wire screen or
something finer?

My tank holds 100 gallons, but I'm beginning to think I may keep it at
about half full. That would mean filling it more frequently, which is a
pain in the butt, but maybe worthwhile. Another thought is that if I just
leave the tank full, and wait a while, the value of the gas may become more
than the value of the boat and I could get a good deal on it.