I need some help.  I have been given some conflicting information.  Should I empty my gas tank for winterizing, or should I fill it up and put some stabilizer in it?  My other question is should I change the oil now, or in the spring?  As always, thanks for your help.

I fill my tank and add stabilizer. If you don't, water vapor can form in the lines,condense, and freeze to cause all kinds of problems.

As for the oil change, I do it both. I figure with an investment like a boat, it's better to have clean oil to sit in it over the winter(that way the trash doesn't settle to the bottom over the winter), and even better to change it in again in the spring since there's a good chance that as it sits dormant over the winter, condensation will form in the block and mix with the oil(not mix persay, but get in with it causing it to break down if you don't change it). 

It's just my opinion of course, and as you know...that and a couple of quarters will get you a cup of coffee!

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Gary Peak
Acworth, GA
’05 240 EX
350 MAG – BIII
AQUANOMIC$

Gary, I would imagine any small amount of water will burn out of the oil pretty quickly come spring. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Again, just a precaution...and my opinion.

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Gary Peak
Acworth, GA
’05 240 EX
350 MAG – BIII
AQUANOMIC$

I do my maintenance at the end of the season.  More time to shine things back up in the spring.  I generally run the tank down to 1/2 tank or less then fill up with fresh fuel in the spring.  Don't want to run the risk of bad gas ruining my maiden voyage next spring.

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'My TAI'
2006 230 LS
350 Mag

I agree with Andy. I change the oil when I winterize. I try to have the fuel down below half and treat what is left in the tank. When I fill up for the first voyage, I use premium fuel.

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Rick and Dana Klaus
Crown & Water
2003 202 BR Moonstone & Ruby
Tow Vehicle; 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

I agree with Rick...who agrees with Andy! 

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"Captain's Jewels 2"
2004 270CR with 496MAG/375hp
Milford, MI

From what I have read, the question on fuel storage is; depends on whether or not your fuel has ethanol. From multiple sources, the advice is to empty your tank if you have ethanol gas to avoid phase separation, increased water contamination, and have fuel that significantly loses its octane levels. Otherwise if you have fuel that does not have ethanol fill the tank to keep moisture out, use gas stabilizer [it will hold the fuel over the winter]. I defer my decision making here to the expert advice that I have found.

I change the oil to remove the season's contamination and then again in the spring to remove any moisture contamination; each time using synthetic oil. May cost, but moisture contamination in the oil and running the engine makes me react in the same way as hearing finger nails scraping on a black board. IMO. As much normative as objective decision making here, admitedly. At $8/quart that is not much to provide maximum protection to the engine internals.

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Bill Cook
Saratoga Springs, NY
Charleston Lake, On
'08 200LS 5.0L