1st Winter - Need Help

[BULLWARKS]

This will be my first winter I own a boat and I need some help/info.<br /><br /> 1. DO i take the Batteries out? Can I keep them in my basement? Do I charge them periodically?<br /><br /> 2. Do I remove the trolling motor?<br /><br /> 3. Do I protect the open electrical connections (GPS, Sounders, VHF)? How?<br /><br /> 4. What kind of moisture repellant do I use under the cover?<br /><br /> 5. Should the fuel tank be FULL or Empty?<br /><br />All help is appreciated.

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

1. yes. take the batt. out. i do keep mine in the basement too. yes i TRICKLE charge it 2-4 times a winter. also check the water level in the batt. also be carefull when chargeing. chargeing a batt. produces very flamable gases. <br /> <br />2. i don't have a trollin motor. but if i did. i might consider takeing it off. i wouldn't want it to get stolen.<br /><br />3. i've been useing 1oo% silcon. though i don't know if that is what i should be useing. open for suggestions on that one myself. i see on another post that people are liken wd40 too.<br /> <br />4. i don't use a moisture repellant. just a breathing type boat cover. but i do put some decon inside to attract the mice. <br /><br />5. full, with something like sta-bil to help preserve the fuel.<br /> <br />6. search winterization on this fourm. i think there is much info available on this subject. <br /><br />just my opionion.............

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Ziggy has it pretty much covered. Heres my 2 cents worth.<br />1) Be sure the cables are clearly marked for re-connection in the spring. A wrong connection, even momentarily can cause major repair headaches.<br />3) spray with WD-40 and cover with plastic baggie and zip tie closed.<br />5) After adding stab-il to the tank, run the motor for at least 15 minutes (at idle) to get the fuel into the carbs.<br /><br />You don't mention the motor. What type do you have? Different winterization procedures for I/O vs OB.<br />Store the boat bow high with the drain plugs removed. If any water/snow/ice does gets in there it will be able to drain.

 

[Al Kungel]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

The following site also provides useful information.<br /> http://www.brokeboats.com/omcid.html

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

I have two Yammys F150 and 9.9. Planned on getting the motors winterized by the dealer. If I do do I still need to run the fuel with stabil through?

 

[Pony]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

If the dealer doesn't you should.....see what he does first. there is a chance the he will fogg the engine.<br /><br />Another note on the battery.....keep it off concrete if you can. Put it on a workbench or a piece of wood on the floor.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

"I have two Yammys F150 and 9.9. Planned on getting the motors winterized by the dealer. If I do do I still need to run the fuel with stabil through?"<br /><br />Have the dealer explain exactly what he will and will not include as part of the winterization. At the very least it should include a)change lower unit oil b)run stabilzed gas thru entire fuel system c) fog motor to prevent internal corrosion

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Bulwarks - I was told 4 years ago to leave bowls of moth balls inside the cabin and in the cuddy to keep vermin like mice, squirells etc out. I don't know if it's true but so far, knock on wood, I've never found and little dead things, nests, or chewed cuchions onboard.<br /><br /><br />RodC, - my 21 footer is in my driveway just down the road in Whitby. Winterized and ready to store. Know any places around with indoor storage at reasonable rates?<br /><br />Quig

 

[dtherrien]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

For electrical connections i use the sprayable white lithium grease.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Thanks to all. I'll follow RodC's advise and check the winterizing out.<br /><br />dtherrien, how do you get the grease off in Spring?<br /><br />I have a Crestliner 1850SF no cabin think I need anything under the vented cover?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Just finished winterizing my rig and a couple more things came to mind as I went thru it.<br />1) Grease all pivot points including tilt tube and steering pivot points.<br />2) remove prop & grease prop shaft (store prop at home to prevent theft)<br />3) disconnect and drain bilge pump and hose<br />4) store motor in vertical position so any water can drain naturally.

 

[BULLWARKS]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Thanks to all for the posts.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Leave the grease on ....it wont hurt anything. I will spray the grease on my connections about 3 times per season.

 

[TerryH]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

All this sounds like good advice, one question (posted above)How do you know how much STABIL to put in if you dont know your tank's capicity.

 

[one more cast]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

Another note on the battery.....keep it off concrete if you can <br />Pony, This is a myth but I still keep mine up off the concrete. Old habits die hard.

 

[TerryH]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

From everything I have read and heard on the topic (which is a lot) I would top it off with fuel, Add a gas stabilizer, and run it for 15 minutes (to ensure the stabilizer gets int into the lines and carbs, then Fog the carburators till it stalls with an OMC rust preventative spray. Then remove the plugs and spray into each cyl. and rotate the engine a few revolutions. It's a good time to install new plugs, but if your old ones are still good, reinstall them, and your set.<br />Dont forget to change the oil in the lower unit! <br />Yes I would remove the batteries, and charge <br />them periodically on a trickle charge (about every other month).<br />I also used an oil spray with silicon to lube all linkages, and pivot points, and did the jack, hitch, and winch on the trailer. I finished off with Marine grade grease in all Zerts.<br />Put her up on blocks, or jack stands and keep it tilted back to drain off rain snow or ice if out doors.<br />PS I also covered and wrapped the motor with a (folded 4 times) heavy tarp. if you have a covered storage you may not need to do everything I did.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: 1st Winter - Need Help

DO NOT EVER USE Silicone rubber on any thing that has copper in it, wire. It is that Vinegar smell. Acetic acid that causes the " Black Death " the copper wires oxidize to a black color and deterioate bad and fast. DO NOT USE it on or NEAR wires or printed circuit boards. BAD, BAD.