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Hi Richard,

I asked around a little on this one and there seems to be no hard and fast answer to your question, but I did learn some items of interest. Since ethanol has been added to gasoline a number of people have had problems with degrading plastic tanks, so if your tanks are plastic, there probably is some benefit in draining the gasoline for storage to avoid aging your tanks.

My research on draining tanks during the winter season to prevent congealing and/or separation produced hazy results. But the consensus seems to be that the colder your climate in the winter, the more important this becomes. Here's a link that my friend Gordon Hartschuh provided and it may be helpful:

http://www.fuel-testers.com/review_gas_treatment_products.htm

The problem, as I'm sure you are aware, is the build up of condensation in the tanks during the winter season if the tanks are empty or partially filled. So here is the procedure I would follow to be safe: 1.) At the end of the season before you winterize, drain all of the gasoline from your tank (pre-plan to use most of the fuel as end of season approaches) then "run" the last of the fuel out before you haul; 2.) At the beginning of the new season, lead the fuel drain line from the tank(s) to a bucket, then take a wet vac (make sure the canister is clean), plug the hose into the filler of your tank and switch it own. This will pressurize the system and any condensation that has built up in the tank during winter will be pushed out of the tank into your bucket, now you're free to fill the tanks and prime the system. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for priming the fuel system.

As for the "Sta bil" type products, the consensus again is to use fuel conditioners for gasoline engines to prevent congealing in the injection ports/carburetors, especially if laid up for long periods. However, to be safe, the preferred method is still to drain your tanks for the winter to avoid all the issues with congealing, fuel separation, and condensation.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Captain Ian Fagg