Winterization Help

[bugup]

It is my first year putting my boat away for the winter. I am storing it in an unheated barn near Vancouver Canada for the winter. Seattle type weather. Anyhow, I have listed the process that I was going to follow and was wondering if anyone had any additional tips,info, or critiques to how I am going to do it. As an aside I am also going to have my carb rebuilt over the winter. Any ideas of a good way to cover up the intake.<br /><br />Thanx<br /><br />Here is what I am going to do.<br /><br />Boat Winterization<br />Materials Required<br /><br />5 quarts oil<br />Oil filter<br />Jug RV anti freeze<br />Leg oil<br />Fogging spray<br />Fuel stabilizer<br /><br />Process<br />Engine and Leg<br /><br />1. Add fuel stabilizer at pick up and then add top off tank on way home. Allows stabilizer to mix in.<br />2. Run engine on muffs for 10 -15 min and check for any weird sounds etc.<br />3. Shut down and change engine oil and filter<br />4. Drain leg and replace leg oil, remember to replace plugs and washers if any before adding new leg oil.<br />5. Check condition of coolant<br />6. Mix R/V anti freeze 50/50 with water in large bucket and place on swim grid. Use this as the draw for the muffs and restart engine. Allow the solution to circulate thru and have a catch container under leg. Once the bucket is down to ¼ full fog the engine until it stalls. When fogging use straw to by pass spay thru carb best as possible. Prevents gumming up carb.<br />7. Disconnect power steering cooler line and allow fluid to drain out in bilge or container. This is lowest part of system and will allow all water to drain.<br />8. Remove each spark plug and spray small amount of the fogging spray in each cylinder<br />9. Spray some fogging spray on block and engine area to prevent rusting<br />10. Give bilge a good cleaning<br /><br />Boat and Interior<br /><br />1. Remove all cushions and canvas and store in dry place<br />2. Open all compartments to allow air circulation and help prevent mildew<br />3. Remove all skis, lines, anchor rope etc<br />4. Give exterior a good wash and new coat of wax<br />5. Check trailer tire pressures and fill up<br /><br />Storage<br /><br />1. Place in storage location and lower leg to down position<br />2. Remove batteries and take home. ( Storage location doesn’t allow batteries)

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Winterization Help

You don't say what boat you have, or engine or if you are raw water cooled or FWC....Most of the things listed are good though.....It's gonna be hard to catch all the anti-freeze spitting out the transom......If you are FWC then you don't need to put anti-freeze in anyway, just drain the sea water side of your system.....If you are raw water cooled, then you just need to make sure you drain all the water out...I guess what I'm saying is.... I.M.H.O......You really don't need to use anti-freeze at all, and I think you would be better off making sure that you got all the water out of the block/manifolds/risers/P.S. than adding anti-freeze.....JK

 

[bugup]

Re: Winterization Help

Sorry about not enough details<br /><br />My boat is a 1995 Maxum with the a Merc 4.3LX and it is fresh water cooled. Any info on the winterizing process would be great.<br /><br />Thanx

 

[djvan]

Re: Winterization Help

Do an annual outdrive pull to check u joints and gimbal bearing. Check for water in bellows. I clamp a piece of heater hose over the tank vent(tip from go boating magazine). Take a wal mart type bag and wrap the flame arrestor and then wrap with duct tape. (you are removing so this doesn't apply). Remove the prop and grease the splines/check for fishing line around prop shaft. Tape over the exhaust ports on the housing where the trim rams attach and over the prop exhaust outlet (this will help keep rodents out of the exhaust system). I usually run a dehumidifier in the boat for a day or two with the cover on, this usually results in about two gallons of water "sucked" out of my upholstery/carpet.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[vipzach]

Re: Winterization Help

Keep an eye on that gallon of water/anti-freeze, it won't take long to empty that bucket out. You know you don't want to run that impellar dry. This only applies if you are going to use the anti-freeze method that you outlined above.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Winterization Help

If you were in northern Michigan, I would say if you go with your anti freeze idea and try to mix RV anti freeze with water to protect the block, it would be a good idea to just go ahead and order a engine assm. for spring you would need it. Just take the time and drain it save yourself alot of grief---Bob

 

[Hunt]

Re: Winterization Help

What about the factor that hot water freezes faster than cold water. A buddy of mine has been contimplating bowhunting around a lake in our area. There are several people who use there boats to travel to there hunting spots. How would you prevent the freeze while in the woods. Is it as simple as draining the motor/intake when you pull the boat up onto shore? Does anyone else do this?

 

[Hunt]

Re: Winterization Help

Would doing this be too risky or could it be done in a manner that is safe for the motor?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Winterization Help

Not a lot of hunters run around in I/O's...outboards are a different animal, most of them pretty much drain themselves.<br /><br />In years past, I have left my I/O boat in the water (on a lift), and just carefully drained the block after the occasional December of January ride. If you know how to drain it properly, AND you have total confidence that there is no water in your gearcase, it does not cause a problem running deep into the winter.<br /><br />As for the "hot water freezing faster than cold water" thing...last I checked, hot water doesn't freeze. All water freezes at 32 degrees F. Unless it's under pressure in which case it can freeze at colder temps...but that's a completely different physics lesson that has nothing to do with boats...

 

[Hammerhead2]

Re: Winterization Help

Most RV anti-freeze's should not be diluted at all.<br />Use 100% concentrate do not add water unless the type you have says so

 

[Hunt]

Re: Winterization Help

FYI, <br />The phenomenon that hot water freezes faster than cold is often called the Mpemba effect.<br /><br />The reason I brought this up is alot of us may be out late this season.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Winterization Help

Don't forget the trailer.<br /><br />You might also want to think about taking weight off the trailer tires. I read that one of the causes of premature failure for the tires is when they sit with a lot of weight on them in one spot.<br /><br />I jack up the trailer and put jackstands under the frame to take the weight off the tires and springs.<br /><br />Check the brakes (if you have them). Enough fluid, are the pads worn. Great time to fix this if you have wear or problems.