I'm not going to be using my boat that often, so should I add a stabilizer to my tank to keep the gas from deteriorating? It'll be a couple of months before I fill up my tank again. Also, if I decide to use my boat more frequently will the stabilizer hinder the performance of the engine?

Yes and No. <BR> <BR>While restoring old cars I've had to clean fuel pick-up lines and carbs after fuel has sat and varnished. It absolutely sucks. Varnished fuel glued through-out your fuel system will hinder performance far more than fuel stabilizer will.

You will have no performance degradition with the Sta-Bil. Many people use it every fill up because their boat may set for a week or so. Your fuel, if it sets, will affect your performance due to a loss of some of the light-end VOCs.

I have used SEa-foam for years. and it works fine. Keeps gas stabil. and keeps engine clean.

In the winter I add Sta-bil, top off the tank and fog the engine. That first start in the spring kicks out a big ol cloud of smoke and I notice some engine hesitation with that first tank of fuel (stored). I always thought it was the sta-bil causing the hesitation, but based on Karl's post I guess it's just the stored fuel.

where can you buy sta-bil? Is it widely available or a marine specific product?

Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, NAPA just about any other place that sells auto parts.

Thanks for the info guys. I just got a 36oz. bottle of Sta-Bil at Walmart. I'll probably still ride this winter but you never know, rather be safe than sorry.