Houston boaters: Do you winterize? If so, when?
 

I had my jetski out in November a couple of years ago, and was back out as early as March. Would've used it between but the water was too cold.

I would imagine that boats can run year round around here, but do you have to take any precautions for winter? Do you actually do a full winterization?

TIA.

I keep my boat & waverunners in the toy box so I do worry about winterizing. If you keep it outside I would say you need to winterize it. We only have about 1-5 days that it freezes per year. You just have to watch out for when temp goes below freezing & does not get above freezing until day or so latter.

Yes, and no. . .
 

You can get away with not winterizing about 2 out of every 3 years. . . you guess which years!

Seriously though, if I a have my boat/pwc in my garage (no heater, but attached to house), I don't winterize it. When I leave the boat on the lift, I winterize, but its got a 496 HO and it only takes about 30 seconds to do so.

Probably best to winterize, that way you can sleep well on those rare cold Houston nights.

Hope this helps.

Thanks...

The boat DOES live outside. I guess I'll take the cautious route.

Question though... correct me if I'm wrong, but you do have to de-winterize it before it goes back out, right?

Reason I ask is that I'll probably go out once in a while during the winter.

Definitely
 

It would be a short ride if you didn't! :D :D

I don't winterize mine.

It stays in a completely enclosed boat storage.

Not many of my friends winterize theirs either.

I'm with Shawn. Mine's in an enclosed dry stack place down at the lake (it's warmer than where I live) and the marina checks her out once a month in the winter. If it was going to get below freezing for several days, I'd have them do it.

Mine stays on the lift. I use a small ceramic heater in the engine compartment. It also keeps condensation (cold metal, humid air) to a minimum.

We winterize "Just Say No" by taking her to Key West and flying in and out.
Seriously though - we have never winterized. INXS will be in the mechanics shop this winter so no worry there.