Do I really need winterizing?

[little.boat]

Ok here is the deal. I live in Kentucky where our winters are 2-3 days maybe 3 weeks top of cold weather at freezing temps and then 2-3 days to 1-2 weeks of 40-60 degrees. I have always winterized things in the past but I am wanting to get into small mouth fishing. That said I would be fishing at least 1 day every warm spell that hits. Do I really need to re-winterized my boat when I will still be using it 1-2 times a month maybe more during the winter? I know some people are die hard winterize everything especially those up north but your winters are cold and sustained. Usually our winters might be 20's overnight and upper 30's during the day.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Do I really need winterizing?

If you give the outboard motor an annual service before your "winter" To be sure there is no water in the gear case that might freeze in a prolonged cold spell You should be able to use the boat normally through your "winter".
Here in upstate NY lots of folks use there outboards well into December, even leaving them in the water while being careful to thaw any ice frozen around the leg
before starting.Your motor should remain in the upright position so you are sure water drains out.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I really need winterizing?

During the cold snap, make sure the engine is stored vertical (not tilted) so the water can drain. That's all you need to do. Unless the engine will be stored for periods longer than three months there is really no need to fog it. May be a good time to do the annual maintenance however to see if there is any water in the lower unit.

 

[little.boat]

Re: Do I really need winterizing?

Thanks guys that's what I thought too. I kinda just wanted others opinions too. For some reason I always get nervous when it gets cold thinking it will do damage but noting ever happens lol.