Boating Geek

10 winterizing details that may haunt you later. By   Jim Hendricks   When it comes to winterizing your marine propulsion system, details make the difference. A slight omission like failing to run stabilized fuel completely through the engine prior to long-term storage may haunt you in the spring when you find that the fuel injectors are clogged. To learn some of the often-neglected details and new tips for engine winterization — some of which you may not find in all owner’s manuals — we talked with David Meeler, marine product information manager for Yamaha Marine. 1. Tricks to Mix Stabilizer and Fuel How do you know the fuel stabilizer and fuel are thoroughly mixed? “After you add the conditioner, pour a half-gallon of gas into the tank to rinse the stabilizer from the fill hose,” Meeler advises. “Also, rock the boat to make sure it mixes thoroughly.” 2. Run 15 Minutes on Stabilized Fuel “Run the engine at least 15 minutes with stabilizer...