long-term storage question

[qboat]

I have (again) the cruising bug, and am looking at the C-dory 22, which has the combination of sea-keeping ability and shallow draft I need (plus they just look good). A guy on this site is selling one that has been winterized, then stored for 4-5 years. Twin '05 Honda 40s. My experience with the 1990s version of this engine has been that it is a good piece of gear, but the small carb jets are prone to fouling, particularly with ethanol blend fuel.
If anyone has suggestions about what should be done to bring stored versions of these engines back to life after 5 years, I would appreciate hearing them. Replace the filters, of course. Would I need to pull and clean the (six!) carbs? Replace the fuel lines? Pull and clean the tanks? It looks like the tanks on the 22 are on deck under the splash well behind bulkheads. Easy or hard to pull? Again, any advice appreciated. Thanks. Sam

[thataway]

First find out, if possible, if the carburetors were drained or the fuel run out before the boat was put up. If they were drained, it is very possible they will not have to be pulled and cleaned. If they were stored fill of gas then they need to be pulled and cleaned. I would use this opportunity to replace the fuel lines, and primer bulbs. Pretty good chance you may have to clean the tanks. Certainly any gas in them is bad, and should be discarded. Not too hard to get fuel out of the tank--but maybe not all of it--there will be a small residual.

The tanks are not that hard to remove. The biggest issue is getting the fill hose off the neck. Several have suggested it is easier to cut the tube, and then put in new fill tube. Take the chance to pull the deck fills, drill out the holes for the screws, and fill those with epoxy, re-drill the pilot holes, and put the screws back. When the fill is out, undercut the deck, with a Dremel tool, around the hole where the fill fits, and fill with thickened epoxy to prevent water intrusion.

When you pull the tanks, there are gong to be several cleats screwed to the floor. These will probably have to be un-screwed, but if you are lucky--they will be like mine, and glassed in. If they are screwed in--then pull the screws, drill out and fill with thickened epoxy the screw holes--and either replace the screws into the epoxy plug, or glass the cleats back in place.

Change the lube oil.

Before you start the engine, I would pull the plugs, spray some light oil into the cylinders, and turn the engine over by hand, to be sure that there is no freeze up from rust or corrosion. Put in new plugs--check the plug wires and other wiring to be sure no critters (rats or squirrels) have been chewing on them.

Drain the lower units and put in new lube oil.

Check the props, the trim and tilt (fluid levels), Check the steering. Check the rest of the wiring--probably new b batteries.

Then go have fun!

[qboat]

Thanks, that is just the kind of comprehensive advice I needed! Sam