When do YOU winterize your boat?

skeeter85 · 10-11-2009, 01:40 PM

So, it's that time of year again. I was curious when people winterize their boat. I've seen on here a couple people already have. I intend to take it out fishing several more times...and maybe do a little more tubing and skiing (jk). I keep it in my garage and it's semi-heated and doesn't get below freezing.

Alex T. · 10-11-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

I was curious when people winterize their boat

in the 13 or so years I've owned my boat...never have I winterized it.

Alex

Scott Eveland · 10-11-2009, 03:30 PM

I've already winterized the inboard PWC, and anybody with an inboard or I/O who doesn't have heated storage should have done it by now. Of course, we've already had several 'hard' freezes here too.

My outboard is in unheated indoor storage. I'll probably give it another week or two, then get it done.

A lot of it depends on where you store it, and I/O vs. outboard.

xtreme76 · 10-11-2009, 07:42 PM

I have an i/o and it is not fully winterized it yet. The engine is drained as I have drained it after my last two trips. Once you have drained them a couple of times it only takes a couple minutes. I just open the drains and take loose the hoses right after getting off the ramp, when I get home I ensure the engine is completely drained. I will probably fully winterize it the end of the month. My last trip was maybe my best of the year so it is going to be hard to put her away.

Hawkeye · 10-11-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex T.

in the 13 or so years I've owned my boat...never have I winterized it.

Alex

I was asking my dad how he winterizes his outboards. They live in northern MN, so his motors are exposed to much harsher climates. He told me he doesn't do anything. Hasn't had any problems.

**MA Machine** · 10-12-2009, 02:29 AM

I usually change out the lower unit oil and remove the batteries when the bank ice starts showing up.

whisker · 10-13-2009, 07:01 AM

If I winterized it,...I couldn't use it in the winter.

A mechanic advised me to keep the batteries topped off and to pull it through once (or bump the starter) after I pull it out of the water to drain any remaining water from the water pump.
Frozen water pumps are a big killer in winter

MERCMAN · 10-17-2009, 11:39 PM

People that have a I/O or sten drive should be done for the year! The motor inside of the boat use raw water ( lake water) to cool it. so at freezing temps is not good.

Outboard motors hold no water in the blocks when its not running. When you are done running the O/B motor you should store the motor down as far as you can.
You can run them all year long,or until the water gets hard

I do say that you need to check the lower unit lube for water! Water in the gear case is not good.

Cat Whacker · 10-21-2009, 12:51 PM

How do you check your lower unit for water? Don't you just change it at the end of the season? Do you need to warm the lower unit up so the lube drains better? If so how do you warm it up?

MERCMAN · 10-21-2009, 09:04 PM

The best way is to drain the unit now. Fill it up with new lower unit lube. Fill of the BOTTOM to the top.

Cat Whacker · 10-23-2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MERCMAN

The best way is to drain the unit now. Fill it up with new lower unit lube. Fill of the BOTTOM to the top.

Thanks Mercman but you really didn't answer my question. Do I need to warm up the lower unit so it drains better? I have not done it before but I imagine that lower unit oil is pretty thick stuff.

**MA Machine** · 10-23-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Whacker

Thanks Mercman but you really didn't answer my question. Do I need to warm up the lower unit so it drains better? I have not done it before but I imagine that lower unit oil is pretty thick stuff.

I just pull the plug and let it drain into a oil pan for 1 hour or so. It will all come out.

Sorny · 10-23-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cat Whacker

Thanks Mercman but you really didn't answer my question. Do I need to warm up the lower unit so it drains better? I have not done it before but I imagine that lower unit oil is pretty thick stuff.

you will be able to tell if it has water in it by looking at the used lube. If it has a milky look, you have water in there.

I won't do mine untill the lakes freeze. Still have a month and a half of duck hunting left.

Cat Whacker · 10-23-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA Machine

I just pull the plug and let it drain into a oil pan for 1 hour or so. It will all come out.

Thanks MA Machine. I figured if you let is set long enought it would probably run out but wasnt for sure.

Freeze150 · 10-23-2009, 08:17 PM

I change the lower unit oil, remove the batteries and put a little sta-bil in the gas and it runs great every year.

jimbosan · 10-23-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeze150

I change the lower unit oil, remove the batteries and put a little sta-bil in the gas and it runs great every year.

me too!

MERCMAN · 10-23-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA Machine

I just pull the plug and let it drain into a oil pan for 1 hour or so. It will all come out.

Or run it on the hose for 10-15 mins works too.

**MA Machine** · 10-24-2009, 05:18 PM

What about taping a heating pad to the lower unit for a hour then draining it?

10-11-2009, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
skeeter85 skeeter85 is winter blows Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bellevue, NE Posts: 970 Thanks: 231 Thanked 284 Times in 186 Posts	When do YOU winterize your boat? So, it's that time of year again. I was curious when people winterize their boat. I've seen on here a couple people already have. I intend to take it out fishing several more times...and maybe do a little more tubing and skiing (jk). I keep it in my garage and it's semi-heated and doesn't get below freezing. __________________ dave Tell a man there are 100 billion stars in the universe and he will believe you. Tell a man a bench has wet paint and he'll have to touch it to be sure.

10-11-2009, 03:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scott Eveland Scott Eveland is exciting about the rising water! Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Water, The West, The Best Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Certified Boating Instructor Posts: 1,280 Thanks: 168 Thanked 445 Times in 193 Posts	I've already winterized the inboard PWC, and anybody with an inboard or I/O who doesn't have heated storage should have done it by now. Of course, we've already had several 'hard' freezes here too. My outboard is in unheated indoor storage. I'll probably give it another week or two, then get it done. A lot of it depends on where you store it, and I/O vs. outboard. __________________

10-12-2009, 02:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is wondering if he should put away his boat or not 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,195 Thanks: 615 Thanked 806 Times in 460 Posts	I usually change out the lower unit oil and remove the batteries when the bank ice starts showing up. __________________ The art of conversation is, like, kinda dead and stuff.

10-13-2009, 07:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
whisker whisker is takin it one day at a time. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: n.e. nebraska Posts: 368 Thanks: 140 Thanked 208 Times in 79 Posts	If I winterized it,...I couldn't use it in the winter. A mechanic advised me to keep the batteries topped off and to pull it through once (or bump the starter) after I pull it out of the water to drain any remaining water from the water pump. Frozen water pumps are a big killer in winter Last edited by whisker; 10-13-2009 at 03:52 PM..

10-17-2009, 11:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
MERCMAN MERCMAN is Too many boats so little time. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nebraska city Posts: 195 Thanks: 7 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	People that have a I/O or sten drive should be done for the year! The motor inside of the boat use raw water ( lake water) to cool it. so at freezing temps is not good. Outboard motors hold no water in the blocks when its not running. When you are done running the O/B motor you should store the motor down as far as you can. You can run them all year long,or until the water gets hard I do say that you need to check the lower unit lube for water! Water in the gear case is not good. __________________ The worst day of fishing beats the best day of work!

10-11-2009, 07:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
xtreme76 xtreme76 is bummed open water is wrapping up and trying to get excited about hunting. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central Ne Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 129 Thanks: 68 Thanked 32 Times in 26 Posts	I have an i/o and it is not fully winterized it yet. The engine is drained as I have drained it after my last two trips. Once you have drained them a couple of times it only takes a couple minutes. I just open the drains and take loose the hoses right after getting off the ramp, when I get home I ensure the engine is completely drained. I will probably fully winterize it the end of the month. My last trip was maybe my best of the year so it is going to be hard to put her away.

10-21-2009, 12:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Cat Whacker Cat Whacker has no status. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Utica Posts: 178 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 19 Posts	How do you check your lower unit for water? Don't you just change it at the end of the season? Do you need to warm the lower unit up so the lube drains better? If so how do you warm it up?

10-21-2009, 09:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
MERCMAN MERCMAN is Too many boats so little time. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nebraska city Posts: 195 Thanks: 7 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	The best way is to drain the unit now. Fill it up with new lower unit lube. Fill of the BOTTOM to the top. __________________ The worst day of fishing beats the best day of work!

10-23-2009, 08:17 PM	#15 (permalink)
Freeze150 Freeze150 is not looking forward to cold weather! Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 8 Thanks: 2 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	I change the lower unit oil, remove the batteries and put a little sta-bil in the gas and it runs great every year.

10-24-2009, 05:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is wondering if he should put away his boat or not 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,195 Thanks: 615 Thanked 806 Times in 460 Posts	What about taping a heating pad to the lower unit for a hour then draining it? __________________ The art of conversation is, like, kinda dead and stuff.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode