Get your boat Winterized
 

I know we all like to wait untill the last minute to winterize our boats, don't get caught with your pants down.:Whatever: Not winterizing could cost you a bundel:mad:, so fair warning. Here are a few things that you need to get done or do yourself.

When bringing boat in for Winter keep the tank 3/4 full or 1/2 full and top off in the Spring. Be sure to have the fuel at the proper level before you have your boat winterized, so the correct amount of fuel stabilizer can be added to the fuel. The winterizing process will run the stabilizer through the entire fuel system.

Engine oil and filters should be changed before Winter storage. Drive Gear oil and filter, if applicable, should also be changed. Fresh oil is always preferred though long term storage, this will give you less prep time in the Spring.

Engines should be flushed with non-tox antifreeze prior to Winter storage. This is done to protect against any residual water that is left in the engine. The antifreeze has non-corrosive properties to help prevent against rusting.

Water fuel separator filters should be changed prior to storage.

Batteries should be fully charged, with proper fluid levels, and no draw before storage. If this is done, the batteries can be left on the boat all Winter long.

There are other systems within your boat that would need to be addressed before you store, if applicable. These other systems might include:
- Fresh water system
- Head
- Air Conditioner
- Hot water heater
- Generator
- Shower sump
Each system has a specialized procedure to prevent damage.

Wally has a good post about the steps to winterize.

What's winterizing???:grinser010:

It's the agonizing pain in the a.ss annual ritual that every Northern boater must go though in order to prevent telling the wife and friends how stupid you are for letting the daum boat motor freeze.
It is also known as the acknowledgment that the season is over and one questions themselves on why we live where we do?

4 years ago I waited til it was 30 degrees, snowing and 10:00pm. I have never done that twice.

How many had put in the heat lamp??:party-smiley-004:

:drink:

Just have the wife hold the hair dryer on the blocks a few X per day Bubba!!!!!:party-smiley-004:

Don't call yourself lucky, call yourself lucky - lucky.:angry-smiley-038:

When U stick a run'n hose up your AZZ & get flushed out!!:eek::evilb:

He's ready, turn'er on Ma!:party-smiley-004:

Well, at least we dont have hurricanes!

(Sorry, thats all Ive got!) :drink:

Oh no, so Ohio didn't get hit by Ike this season, and thousands of Ohioians lose power? Sitting in the dark, getting ready to winterize your boat.....he he!:evilb:

check ou tthis thread i did a number of years ago:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=60302

Check out these winterization videos from Merc on our site!
http://www.cpperformance.com/video_vault.aspx

Thanks Wally & CP very good stuff.

Hi All:
I planned to bring it to a local marina here in NJ for the winter. Should I expect the marina service to do everything mentioned here and also in Wally's post?

THANKS

My boat typically sits about three months (I try to get it out at least once in Dec or Jan. Do you think it's necessary to drain the blocks or fog the engines for this relatively short winter? I live in Phoenix so freezing isn't an issue. I subscribe to all the other advice.

Probably not. print the list. tell them this is what I want done.

No more than it cost, I would do it. Pay me now or pay me later.

Thanks

Is everyone still filling their tanks for the winter? With the quality of fuel, I've not been putting as much in. Is this the correct thing to do?

You know you miss it down here.:ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004:

(that is Coors Light BTW)

I fill the tanks and use stabil.

I'm keeping mine 1/2 with stab, then in spring get some fresh fuel to top it off.

I've been keeping it as low as possible the last few yrs. My tech says that if it goes bad, it's easier to pump out 30 gallons as opposed to 150. Makes sense to me.

Somehow I knew that was the answer I was gonna get..errr.
Thanks.

If nothing else fog the engine see CP video on fogging. real simple to do.

Should impellors be changed out in the spring?

Great information!

I winterized mine this past Saturday. I try to keep the fuel as low as possible and use Stabil. It will lose octane as it sits over the winter. Also the 10% ethanol in gas attracts water like a magnet with the temp changes throughout the winter. Less is better.


I add plenty of fresh hi-octane in the spring before my first run.

100% Correct! According to my friend John, his answer which makes PERFECT sence, The only reason you would fill your tanks with fuel would be to keep straight up STEEL tanks from rusting ... other than that your pissing away money.

Who still has tanks that arnt Aluminum, Stainless or Plastic?

IF ya wana spend $$$$ on fuel, tape 6 or 7 ben-frank's to your boat keys,then us'em in the spring.

Good call!:ernaehrung004:

AND..Don't ask me were i park my boat in the winter either,cause i never take my keyes out of it (might loose e'm) l.o.l.... Check out the sides of some of the boats in the spring,you can till who stored with a topped off fuel tank.

How can you tell?

Mine goes away this Monday after one last run.

Some chuck the fuel way full prior to storage in cool fall temps then spring comes along with warm temps(expansion) out the vent it comes.It's not really a fault, they just don't know any better. You know,yellow stains,strips peelin ,all under the fuel vent.

myth moisture in gas tank
 

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/myth_of_c...fuel_tanks.htm


found this interesting article may end opinions or reinforce others ,, about tank full or empty for the winter layup.....