When the boating season winds down, it is time to start thinking about protecting your boat. Winterizing a boat is essential to your boat’s performance and operation and is probably the most important maintenance duty a boat owner can perform. Proper winterization can prevent costly damage that can result from freezing, dormancy, corrosion and moisture saving you time, effort and money in the spring. You should remember that your insurance policy may not cover damage done by lack of maintenance or neglect. Boat winterization – essential for good boating health.
Below are winterization packages based on manufacturing recommendations. Building these services helps you save time in the shop and money on the repairs. Schedule Services Online Now!
Winterization for stern drives and inboards:
Plan #1: Basic flush, fog and drain
1. Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel system
2. Fresh water flush the engine and drive
3. Bring the engine up to operating temperature
4. Drain the water from the engine block, risers, and manifolds
5. Run the engine on anti-freeze
6. Apply anti-corrosion coating to the engine
Plan #2: Includes all of the above plus changing the engine and drive oil
1. Pull the prop to lubricate the prop shaft (if prop is removable)
2. Change the engine oil and filter
3. Change the lower unit gear oil
Plan #3: Includes all of plan #1 and #2 as well as the following
1. Remove spark plugs to perform engine compression check
2. Change boat and/or engine mounted water separator filter
3. Remove the outdrive to check the u-joint bellow and engine alignment
4. Grease the u-joint, gimbal bearing and any zerk fittings
Winterization for outboards:
Plan #1: Flush and fog
1. Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel system
2. Run the engine on fresh water
3. Bring the engine up to operating temperature
4. Apply anti-corrosion coating to the engine
Plan #2: Includes all of plan #1 plus – (2 and 3 cylinder engines; 4 cylinder and up extra)
1. Change the lower unit gear oil
2. Pull the prop to lubricate prop shaft (if prop is removable)
3. Grease all zerk fittings and steering
4. Change boat and/or engine mounted water separator filter
5. Remove the spark plugs to perform engine leak down check
6. Retrieve engine hours or codes (when available)
*Engine oil change for four stroke engines up to 70HP
*Engine oil change for four stroke engines 70HP and up (V-4 & V-6)
Winterization Extras
Air Conditioning System
1. Blow saltwater out of all lines
2. Clean sea strainer filter
3. Fill System with non-toxic antifreeze
Generator
1. Run engine and flush with freshwater
2. Drain block and exhaust system
3. Fill system with non-toxic antifreeze
4. Apply anti-corrosion coating to engine
Freshwater Systems
1. Drain water from tank and water heater
2. Blow all water out of lines
3. Add non-toxic antifreeze to fill lines
4. Add antifreeze to head to treat lines and tank
Livewells, Baitwells and Washdown
1. Drain livewells and fishboxes
2. Fill lines with non-toxic antifreeze
3. Drain washdown system and fill with non-toxic antifreeze
Winterization for Jet Boats
Plan #1: Flush and fog
1. Install fuel stabilizer to the fuel system
2. Fresh water flush engine and bring up to temperature
3. Inject storage seal oil into engine
4. Install environmentally safe antifreeze into block and exhaust system
5. Apply anti-corrosion coating to engine
6. Lube throttle cables, steering cables, and pivot points