How to Winterize your Boat

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]winter1.jpgWell, the warm weather is fading fast and for many of us it's that time of year when we need to prepare our boats for winter storage. And so begins the long wait for spring, warm weather and another boating season. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Taking protective measures now will assure that your boat will be ready to get back on the water in a few months when you are. Winterizing your boat doesn't have to be hard. Here is a checklist to help keep your "baby" in good condition during winter hibernation. And for the lucky few that get to keep boating during the winter months, now is an excellent time to perform some of these same maintenance steps to keep your boat performing well.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 1 – Exterior[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]1. Thoroughly wash the motor and boat hull removing all stains, dirt or debris. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]2. Cover the boat and painted motor surfaces with a fresh coating of wax. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]3. Cover boat with a high-quality, breathable cover. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]4. Remove the propeller and check thoroughly for damage. (Now is the time to replace or service a damaged propeller, NOT at the start of the next season.) [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]5. Clean the propeller shaft and apply a protective coating of grease. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]6. If your boat is kept in the water, install a de-icing device. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 2 – Interior[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]7. Install a dehumidifier in cabins and enclosed areas to help prevent mildew growth. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]8. Make sure bilges are clean and dry. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]9. Remove bilge drain plug and make a note of where you have placed it. Consider attaching the plug to the steering wheel or other conspicuous location with a piece of string so you don't forget to reinstall it in the spring. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 3 – Electrical[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]10. Inspect and repair all electrical wiring and connections. Make sure nothing was damaged during the season's use. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]11. Remove boat batteries and store in a cool dry place. Place batteries on a smart charger or charge them approximately once a month. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 4 – Engine[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]12. Change crankcase and gearcase oil while engine is warm and run the motor afterwards to distribute fresh oil throughout the power head. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]13. Change oil filters. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]14. Flush the engine with fresh water and drain. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]15. Circulate antifreeze through engine block and manifolds. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]16. Drain vapor separator tank of fuel by drain screw (Fuel Injected Motors). [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]17. On carbureted outboard motors, drain the carburetor float bowls. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]18. Change transmission fluid (Inboards). [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]19. Fog the engine by spraying fogging fluid into each of the carburetors or throttle body throats. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]20. Remove hoses from raw water pump. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]21. Replace spark plugs and spray fogging fluid into spark plug ports. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]22. Perform a complete lubrication service on the boat and motor. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]23. Apply grease to all external engine fittings. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]24. Apply protective anti-corrosion film to engine's external parts. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]25. Check the motor for loose, broken or missing fasteners. Tighten fasteners and make necessary repairs. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 5 – Fuel Systems[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]26. Fill permanently installed fuel tanks with fuel to prevent the formation of condensation. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]27. Add appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer to fuel tanks. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]28. Remove portable fuel tanks to safe, well-ventilated area. Drain plastic tanks and top-off metal tanks. Drain attached fuel lines. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Part 6 – Boat Trailer[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]29. Place the trailer on stands or blocks so the wheels are supported off the ground. Raise the bow higher than the stern to promote draining of rainwater or snow. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]30. Remove trailer wheels to clean and repack the wheel bearings. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]As with all boat repairs and maintenance, follow the instructions in your boat owner's manual, or in the appropriate Seloc manual.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif] If you have any additional questions about winterization maintenance, check out the iboats.com Forums and ask our community of boaters what they do or share your own ideas.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]For all your boating needs, shop online at iboats.com or call 1-800-914-1123 [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Click here to print this Checklist [/FONT]
 
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