How long for winterizing?

[CascoBay]

For those of you with larger cuddy cabin style I/O boats (with water systems, marine head, washdown pumps, ect) how long does it take you to winterize at the end of the season?

Here is my list:

-change engine oil & filter
-fog engine
-drain RWC and add RV antifreeze
-clean out bilge
-remove drive and grease u joints, check bellows, check engine alignment
-change lower unit oil
-remove props and grease shafts
-drain water from water heater and storage tank then blow air through all lines
-remove toilet supply hose and suck RV antifreeze through the system and into the head
-remove supply hose for washdown system and suck RV antifreeze through the system

It takes me a good portion of the weekend to do this work, lets say 12-14 hours. Does this sound right? I see winterization prices of $200-300 locally which makes me assume they are getting it done in 1/2 the time?

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: How long for winterizing?

Someone who is familiar with the process and has the right tools could probably do it in 3-4 hours.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How long for winterizing?

That $200-$300 might just be winterizing the motor/drive only. You have additional stuff

I got pretty good at winterizing my Mercruiser, but it still took the whole afternoon, just do the the number of steps, plus cleaning the boat, pulling the Alpha Drive etc.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: How long for winterizing?

Paid $330 last night for all of that. But, it includes summerizing. Charge battery, run boat in water, make sure evertything is cooling and nothing leaking. When I add everything up in my head along with the cost of fluids and my time, this seems like a good deal to me.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: How long for winterizing?

And I guess that's why I posted this question, by the time I buy the fluids and materials the additional money to have it done by someone else is minimal.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How long for winterizing?

I know of 2 instances where the job was done wrong and it resulted in the loss of an engine block. One of those cases was mine! Both of those cases were at a trusted marina that had been in business for years and years and had all kinds of service awards hanging on their wall.

If you're not concerned about the extra cost and your time is valuable, go ahead and have a marina do it for you. If you ARE concerned about getting it done right, do it yourself.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: How long for winterizing?

yes........but if you do it wrong its on you. If marina does it wrong its on them to fix. Bottom line is, you better know what youre doing.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: How long for winterizing?

it only takes me a couple hours... I have a bypass manifold set up on my water heater.... I run all the water out of the water system and then bypass the heater... I drain it and dump a gallon or two of rv antifreeze in the tank and run it through the system.... I disconnect the raw water supply's and use a shop vac to clear the water... I have closed cooling so no worries there... mine has a portapotty style head.... I make sure it is pumped out and then I dump some rv antifreeze in it... both fresh water tank and holding tank... then I run the maserator just long enough to pump through... Don't forget your shower sump/pump.. I turn on the shower pump and pour rv antifreeze in there too... Most boats don't have traps on the sinks but if yours does you'll need to treat them too.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How long for winterizing?

Unfortunately I can cite a story like Jim's as well, although it happened to a lady I work with. She always engaged a good marine dealership to winterize her Mercruiser 5.0L Alpha. One year they had some inexperienced guys do the work, and the block cracked. She was never able to get the dealer to make good on it. The boat is on blocks for the past few years while she scrapes together $2-3K for a rebuild longblock.

I don't know about you, but I like to do my own work. I almost always get a better job and hate it when the "professional" screws it up.

 

[CascoBay]

Re: How long for winterizing?

A friend of mine lost an engine as well when it wasn't winterized correctly, he had it done at a boat dealer in town who never made good on it either.

Another reason I end up doing all my own work I guess!

 

[bick]

Re: How long for winterizing?

yes........but if you do it wrong its on you. If marina does it wrong its on them to fix. Bottom line is, you better know what youre doing.

WRONG! They will find a way out of it by blaming you for it.