Winterizing and purchasing question

[Shadow66]

Hello!

Okay, so I'm a newbie to boating. I have been spending many hours searching the internet and forums like this. I did a search on here for this and can't seem to find the answer.

I have read that winterizing is the most important servicing one can do for their boat. I have also read that winterizing is necessary in all 50 states. So why do I see people going out on their boats here in Charleston,SC all year round? I'm doubting that they winterize every day. I know...totally ignorant question...be easy on my fragile little mind.

Also, when do folks do their winterizing and de winterizing in this region? I mean, that jerk Marshall Seese on the weather channel can never get it right, so do most folks play it safe and wait till April? It may be fun to hear when people from all regions of the country do it.

Now lastly, I am aiming to purchase my first boat. An 18' Stingray I/O with a 3.0L Mercruiser. The owner lives 7 hours away.

I wanted to go and check the boat out next weekend because I am off and he wanted time to have it taken to the shop/marina to de-winterize it and take me for a test run at my request. He said it's been real cold there.

But if I do that and I do buy the boat, that means I have to go all the way back home (I am about 7 hours away) and wait a day or so before I can winterize it again at the dealer (I am new so I don't want to try to do it myself until I have a chance to learn more thoroughly and do it right).

So, do I wait on the good deal I've found and possibly lose it? How much does it cost to winterize a boat at a dealer on average for most of you folks?

What do you all think? Thanks for any insight guys!

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Winterizing and purchasing question

Read the winterization threads here, in the adults only section of the merc/volvo/omc IO section:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

Here is the way I see it, winterization accomplishes a couple of goals: 1- removing the water that can freeze and cause expensive damage and 2- prep the drive train for optimum storage.

If you are going to live somewhere where you can use your boat year round, then you don't have to worry about the 2nd goal, just the first when a freeze is immanent. After reading the manual, you will know how to use that boat and drain out all of the water so that you can use it during the day and it will survive a freeze the same night.

You might consider getting the name of the marina that is going to get it ready to run and price a minor winterization from them after the test run. If you plan to start using this boat in March or April, then I would think you would only need to ensure they accomplish goal 1 for you.

Then again, if the seller has the manual and you do enough reading, you can accomplish this with no cost to you.

 

[Shadow66]

Re: Winterizing and purchasing question

First off, thanks sickwilly!

So what you are saying is there is a difference, and there are sort of two types of winterizations.

I'm going to take your advice and contact the marina. Thanks!

 

[Lou C]

Re: Winterizing and purchasing question

If you REALLY want to make the winterization thing easier so you can use your boat in the cooler months, think about buying an outboard instead, to drain those you just put the engine down and it self drains. Of course once you get used to an IO the draining is not a big deal, but the OB is easier.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Winterizing and purchasing question

in the cold climates a complete winterizing is necessary. in Charleston, removing the block and exhaust, drain plugs , and making sure there is no water in the lower unit, is probably enough winterizing. the rest of the winterizing process is just yearly maintenance, which they choose to do at that time.

Here in Jacksonville FL, we either put a light bulb in the engine bay, of just do as i said above.

if you want to go out on a cold day you put the drain plugs in, and go out. come home and drain it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Winterizing and purchasing question

Here in Jacksonville FL, we either put a light bulb in the engine bay, of just do as i said above.

if you want to go out on a cold day you put the drain plugs in, and go out. come home and drain it.

Rub it in, Tashasdaddy, while its freezing here and I don't see any boating for a couple more months, go ahead and rub it in!

I guess it is America and we all have choices in where we live!